Program Director

Dr. Gretchen Bohnhoff
Office: CC-27F
Phone: (414) 277-2354
Email: bohnhoff@msoe.edu

Overview

The Master of Science in Structural Engineering offers students the opportunity to gain depth in structural engineering. The MS in Structural Engineering focuses on advanced topics in the analysis and design of structural systems for buildings and bridges. Structural design courses offered address the advanced design of structural steel members and systems, cold-formed metal members and structures, reinforced concrete members and structures, wood structures, masonry structures, foundations, and selection of structural systems; structural analysis courses offered address applications of the finite element method, structural dynamics, and structural stability, providing a broader theoretical background for structural design.

Courses are taught by faculty with extensive practical experience as well as academic credentials. Course work has been planned to show practical applications of structural engineering theory. Flexible scheduling supports both full-time students and working professionals.

The Master of Science in Structural Engineering program assumes the student has completed an undergraduate curriculum that satisfies ABET program-specific civil engineering or architectural engineering requirements with an emphasis on structures. Applicants holding a BS degree in a closely aligned discipline may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis and may be required to complete additional prerequisite work. The program is currently being offered as either a full-time or part-time program.

Curriculum

The Master of Science in Structural Engineering program requires completion of 31 graduate credits. For students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or Architectural Engineering degree programs at MSOE, an early-entry option exists where at least two required graduate courses (6 credits) may be used for both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees and satisfy the free or technical electives in the bachelor’s degree program.

Each student must complete a sequence of capstone courses. There are two options for the capstone activity. The first option is the completion of a seven-credit, two-semester Capstone Project sequence (CAE 7810, CVE 7901 and CVE 7902) in addition to eight civil engineering courses (24 credits) to fulfill the 31-credit requirement. The second option is the completion of a four-credit, one-semester Capstone Report sequence (CAE 7810 and CVE 7901) in addition to nine civil engineering courses (27 credits) to fulfill the 31-credit requirement.

Program Educational Objectives

Program educational objectives are broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years after graduation and are based on the needs of the program’s constituencies. The Master of Science in Structural Engineering degree program will produce graduates who will

• hold specialized credentials and/or licensure in structural engineering
• be the lead engineer on complex engineering projects
• be in a leadership position in a professional society or community/civic organization which benefits from the knowledge of a professionally trained engineer

Student Outcomes

Student outcomes are narrower statements that describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. The student outcomes of the Master of Science in Structural Engineering degree program are that, at the time of graduation, each student will be able to:

• analyze a complex problem in structural engineering using advanced concepts and principles
• design multiple solutions to a complex problem in structural engineering in accordance with current standards, specifications, and selected economic, social, and environmental constraints, as applicable
• effectively communicate the results of the analysis and design of a complex problem in structural engineering in both a) oral and b) written form