Structural engineering courses cover theory, analysis, design, and construction. They are available at undergraduate and graduate levels, and can be taken in traditional, online, or hybrid settings. Topics include materials, dynamics, and computer programs. A final design project integrates all learned theory and analysis. Independent study is common in graduate classes.
There are many different types of structural engineering courses, starting with basic theory and analysis of structures to design and construction classes. They can be taken at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Engineering classes are available in traditional face-to-face, online, and hybrid settings, which have both online and face-to-face components. These courses are usually taken sequentially so that all the knowledge needed to complete a senior design project, master’s thesis, or doctoral dissertation has been accumulated before design begins.
Early structural engineering courses focus on the theory of structural design. Topics include equations, problem solving, and the effects of different types of forces, such as tension, displacement, torsion, and bending. Higher level mathematics and physics concepts are used; therefore, prerequisites for starting engineering courses typically include several semesters of algebra and calculus and at least one year of physics.
The more advanced structural design courses focus on the analysis of structures. This also includes structural dynamics, which is the study of how non-constant forces affect structures. For example, the reaction to wind, human action and traffic is part of the study of dynamic structures.
Different types of materials are studied in separate classes. Steel, concrete and wood have very specific properties and react to various forces differently. Therefore, there are usually three different structural engineering courses to study each type of material. The study of mixed materials, such as reinforced concrete with steel or polyresins, is completed in postgraduate courses.
In their final year of college, most engineering students are required to complete a design course. This is a lab class and class in which students design, analyze, and build one or more physical structures. It is not uncommon for the first design project to be a bridge or multiple designs of different types of bridges. The project course serves as a comprehensive integration of all the theory and analysis that students have learned during the previous years of structural studies.
In intermediate and advanced structural engineering courses, the use of computer programs is common. Training in the proper implementation of computer programs is an integral part of the course, especially in design classes. Most students end up using computer design and calculation programs in their final project course.
In graduate classes, it is not uncommon for students to choose independent study or specific classes. These are usually related to the thesis or dissertation requirement for the course and are generally not covered by other regularly offered classes. Independent study classes must be supervised by an instructor who guides the direction of course material and assesses student progress regularly throughout the semester.
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