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Programs Graduate Program Structural Engineering and Mechanics

Graduate Program in Structural Engineering and Mechanics

Pittsburgh's location at the confluence of three major rivers, combined with a topography of hills and valleys, has led to a profusion of bridges (second in the world only to Venice) of every type and description and to a structural heritage unequaled in any other US city. From Roebling's first vehicular suspension bridge (1845) and Lindenthal's double lenticular trusses (1883 and still in service) to the modern tied arches of the interstate highway system, Pittsburgh enjoys the distinction of being a "living" structural laboratory. The graduate research and education programs in Structural Engineering and Mechanics at the University of Pittsburgh reflect this emphasis.

The graduate program in Structural Engineering and Mechanics prepares students for careers in consulting practice, construction and fabrication, research and teaching. The program is equally strong in applications in structural steel, reinforced and prestressed concrete and composite structures design, computer methods of analysis, laboratory and field testing, structural dynamics and earthquake and wind, structural safety and stochastic processes and building and bridge design. Faculty is very active, nationally and internationally, in research, code committees, professional associations and consulting.

The SEM graduate program is intended to develop the following set of core competencies:

  1. Proficiency in fundamental mechanics and analytic methods used in Structural Engineering including structural dynamics.
  2. Proficiency in of fundamental skills required to conduct finite element modeling.
  3. Proficiency in advanced design skills which incorporate full-structure design/behavior.
  4. Proficiency in of code-based design skills.
  5. Ability to work independently and in teams to solve ill-defined problems of structural engineering

These competencies are in addition to the objectives of an ABET-accredited undergraduate program.

Masters and Professional Masters Programs

The MSCE program recognizes the need for developing advanced engineering competencies reflecting the growing trend of considering the MSCE as the so-called "first professional degree". In the field of Structural Engineering, in particular, the need for advanced competency is reflected in the adoption of the SE license (as different from the PE). The objective therefore is to develop in students advanced competencies required to work as a Structural Engineer.

Masters of Science Program

The MSCE program is a 30 credit program having the following requirements:

Thesis

  • 6 credits: CEE 2999 MS Thesis

Required Core Courses

  • 3 credits: CEE 2333 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis
  • 3 credits: CEE 2320 Advanced Mechanics of Materials
  • 3 credits: SEM Graduate Design Elective (see list below)
  • 6 credits: SEM Graduate Technical Electives of Design Electives1 (see lists below)

Required Mathematics Course

  • 3 credits: approved Mathematics course (see list below)

Graduate Technical Electives

  • 6 credits: graduate technical elective credits may be taken from any CEE 2XXX or CEE 3XXX courses.

Note: 1CEE 2330 Advanced Structural Analysis may not be taken for graduate credit if the student's undergraduate program includes CEE 1331 or equivalent.

Professional Masters of Science Program

Requirements for the Professional Masters of Science are the same as those of the Masters of Science with the exception that the 6 credits of thesis work are replaced with 6 credits of "professional track" course work.

Doctoral Program

Study toward a Ph.D. in the SEM program includes a minimum of 30 credits of study in the area of SEM and a at least 9 credits in a minor area of concentration. The complete program requires 72 credits of post baccalaureate work, of which, up to 30 credits may be taken at another accredited university. Courses taken toward an earned Masters of Science in Civil Engineering degree may be included in the PhD course of study subject to some limitations and the approval of the SEM group faculty.

A doctoral program requires 72 credits as follows:

Dissertation

  • 18 credits: CEE 3997 and 3999 Research Ph.D. and Ph.D. Dissertation2

Required Core Courses3

  • 3 credits: CEE 2333 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis
  • 3 credits: CEE 2320 Advanced Mechanics of Materials
  • 3 credits: SEM Graduate Design Elective (see list below)
  • 15 credits: SEM Graduate Technical Electives of Design Electives (see lists below)

Required Mathematics Course (if Mathematics not taken as minor concentration)

  • 3 credits: approved Mathematics course (see list below)

Graduate Technical Electives3

  • 18 credits: graduate technical elective credits may be taken from any engineering, science or math department with academic advisor's approval (21 credits if Mathematics taken as minor concentration)

Minor Concentration

  • 9 credits: these courses must be graduate level courses not numbered CEE 23XX or 33XX

Note: 2CEE 3999 may only be taken after successful completion of the Ph.D. qualifying examination. Up to 3 credits of CEE 3996 taken prior to the qualifying exam may be "transferred" to count toward the 18 credit CEE 3999 requirement.

Note: 3A minimum of 12 credits (not including CEE 3999) must be taken at the 3XXX level.

Doctoral students must pass a written Comprehensive Qualifying Examination, based upon graduate coursework, in order to be considered a PhD candidate. This examination is administered in August and will typically be taken following the completion of the majority of required course work. Furthermore, students must pass an oral dissertation proposal defense/comprehensive examination and a final defense of their dissertation. Students must have a final grade point average of 3.00 or higher to be awarded their degree. Additionally, Ph.D. students must have at least one peer-reviewed journal article in press (fully accepted) or in print prior to graduating.

Course Listings and Other Information

SEM Graduate Design Electives

  • CEE 2340 Design of Concrete Structures II
  • CEE 2341 Design of Steel Structures II
  • CEE 2343 Prestressed Concrete
  • CEE 2344 Design of Masonry Structures
  • CEE 2346 Repair and retrofit of Structures
  • CEE 3323 Plastic Design of Steel Structures
  • CEE 3361 Wind and Seismic Design of High Rise Structures

SEM Graduate Technical Electives

  • CEE 2100 Numerical Methods
  • CEE 2105 Advanced Civil Engineering Materials
  • CEE 2330 Advanced Structural Analysis (if not taken as an undergraduate)
  • CEE 2322 Fatigue and Fracture of Metal Structures
  • CEE 2360 Dynamics of Structures
  • CEE 2370 Introduction to NDT and SHM
  • CEE 2818 Advanced Foundation Engineering
  • CEE 3320 Continuum Mechanics
  • CEE 3321 Applied Plasticity
  • CEE 3322 Fracture Mechanics
  • CEE 3330 Structural Stability
  • CEE 3331 Plate and Shell Structures
  • CEE 3332 Energy Methods in Structural Analysis
  • CEE 3333 Advanced Finite Elements
  • CEE 3334 Nonlinear Structural Behavior 3
  • CEE 3350 Structural Safety
  • CEE 3360 Advanced Dynamics of Structures

Additionally, Mechanical Engineering (ME) and Material Science (MSE) courses may be used to fulfill Technical Elective requirements with the consent of the student's advisor.

Required Mathematics Course

  • ME 2001 Differential Equations (preferred course)
  • Any 2000 level Mathematics course (pre requisites for these course must also be satisfied)
  • MATH 1070, 1080, 1100, 1110, 1180, 1240, 1270, 1280, 1350, 1360, 1370, 1470, 1480, 1530, 1540, 1550, 1560 and 1570

Applicants not having a Civil Engineering Undergraduate Degree

Students entering the SEM program are required to have taken the following undergraduate courses, or their equivalent:

  • CEE 1105 Construction Materials
  • CEE 1340 Concrete Structures I or CEE 1341 Steel Structures I (preferably both)
  • CEE 1331 Matrix Structural Analysis.

    • Deficiencies in these courses (and their prerequisites) must be addressed by passing the appropriate undergraduate course with a grade of B or better. In lieu of taking CEE 1331 as a deficiency course, CEE 2330 Advanced Structural Analysis may be taken for graduate credit.

    Requirements described in this document are subject to revision.

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