A master’s degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on structural engineering allows students to build advanced expertise in the analysis and design of complex structural systems. Graduate study at Michigan Tech helps students move beyond undergraduate fundamentals to develop deeper technical skills in structural materials, advanced analysis, seismic design, and performance-based engineering.
This degree is a strong next step for students who want to broaden their design capabilities, strengthen their technical credentials, and prepare for advanced roles in building, bridge, and infrastructure design.
Sample Course Plan
This sample course plan is a sample, and adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes. Students should work with their advisor to develop their individual plan. A full list of graduate course descriptions is available.
Assumed Student Background
The sample course plan shown below was designed assuming that a student has taken
(at a minimum) both of
the following:
- CEE 3202 (Structural Analysis)
- At least one of CEE 4213 (Structural Concrete Design) or CEE 4223 (Steel Design I),
or equivalent, as
an undergraduate.
The sample course plan has room for one Graduate Elective course assuming the student
has taken all of the
following:
- CEE 4201 (Matrix Structural Analysis), or equivalent;
- CEE 4213 (Structural Concrete Design), or equivalent;
- CEE 4223 (Steel Design I), or equivalent.
Requirements: 30 credits minimum (12 maximum credits at 3000-4000 level; 18 credits at 5000 level)
Sample Coursework List
| Course | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| CEE 4233 – Structural Timber Design | 3 | Spring |
| CEE 4820 – Foundation Engineering | 3 | Fall |
| CEE 5202 – Finite Element Analysis | 3 | Spring |
| CEE 5212 – Prestressed Concrete Design | 3 | Fall |
| CEE 5213 – Concrete and Masonry Building Systems | 3 | Fall |
| CEE 5223 – Steel Design II | 3 | Spring |
| CEE 5241 – Structural Dynamics | 3 | Fall |
| CEE 5242 – Advanced Structural Dynamics | 3 | Spring |
| Systems Elective | 3 | |
| Graduate Elective | 3 |
Systems Elective
Must take at least one of these courses.
| Course | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| CEE 5730 – Probabilistic Analysis and Reliability | 3 | Fall |
| CEE 5740 – Modeling of Civil Engineering Systems | 3 | Spring |
| CEE 5760 – Optimization Methods | 3 | Spring |
Sample CEE Graduate Electives
| Course | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| CEE 4020 – Computer Applications | 3 | Fall |
| CEE 4244 – Loads for Civil Structures | 3 | Spring |
| CEE 5102 – Advanced Concrete Materials | 3 | Fall |
| CEE 5201 – Advanced Structural Analysis | 3 | Fall (alt) |
| CEE 5233 – Advanced Structural Timber Design | 3 | Fall (alt) |
| CEE 5250 – Special Topics in Structural Engineering | 1-3 | Fall/Spr/Sum |
| CEE 5261 – Bridge Design and Construction | 3 | Fall |
| CEE 6213 – Advanced Structural Concrete Design | 3 | Spring (alt) |
Sample Non-CEE Graduate Electives
| Course | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| EE 5500 – Probability and Stochastic Processes | 3 | Fall |
| GE 5100 – Advanced Geomorphology and Glacial Geology | 3 | Fall (alt) |
| MA 4515 – Introduction to Partial Differential Equations | 3 | Spring |
| MA 4535 – Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos | 3 | Fall |
| MA 4610 – Numerical Linear Algebra | 3 | Spring |
| MA 4620 – Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Eqns. | 3 | Fall |
| MA 4710 – Regression Analysis | 3 | Fall |
| MA 5565 – Partial Differential Equations | 3 | Fall (alt) |
| MEEM 4150 – Intermediate Mechanics of Materials | 3 | Spring |
| MEEM 4170 – Failure of Materials in Mechanics | 3 | Spring |
| MEEM 5110 – Continuum Mechanics/Elasticity | 3 | Fall |
| MEEM 5150 – Advanced Mechanics of Materials | 3 | Fall |
| MEEM 5160 – Experimental Stress Analysis | 3 | Fall |
| MEEM 5180 – Mechanics of Composite Materials | 3 | Spring (alt) |
| MEEM 5700 – Dynamic Measurement/Signal Analysis | 4 | Fall |
| MSE 4320 – Corrosion and Environmental Effects | 3 | Fall |
| MSE 4430 – Composite Materials | 3 | Spring |
| MSE 5140 – Mechanical Behavior of Materials | 3 | Fall |
This course plan is meant to serve as a sample for a student interested in pursuing a coursework-only MSCE degree. This plan may not be appropriate for all students, nor is it necessary for a student to follow this schedule to earn a coursework-only degree. Student-specific goals and prior education must be considered and consultation with faculty members is required. Consult with instructors before enrolling in courses that are outside of the Department to ensure that the course will be consistent with your goals and background since sometimes other courses may provide more value to the student. All MSCE degree requirements and rules set forth by the Department and the Graduate School must be met in order for a student to finish the program.