Within Structural Engineering, students can pursue a program of work leading to a Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.) or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). These degree programs are designed to prepare students for careers in engineering practice, research and education. The degree requirements are described below:

MS Requirements

Described below are the options and requirements for graduate students seeking an M.S. degree with an emphasis in Structural Engineering. The program is intended to provide students with a strong background in the fundamentals of structural analysis, behavior and design. At the same time, the program permits flexibility in the selection of courses and participation in research experiences, thereby allowing students to tailor their M.S. program according to their background and educational objectives.

The student is responsible for developing a suitable program of study, considering the applicable coursework and research requirements of the specific degree option, in consultation with a faculty advisor in Structural Engineering. In addition to conforming to the requirements described below, graduate students in Structural Engineering must also follow all rules and requirements of the Graduate School and the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering.

Degree Options

The M.S. degree includes both coursework requirements and opportunities for research. To provide flexibility in balancing the emphasis between coursework and research in their M.S. program, students can choose from one of the following M.S. degree options:

Thesis Option:

The Thesis Option requires a minimum of 30 semester hours for graduation. This includes 24 semester hours of coursework (typically eight courses) and 6 semester hours for the preparation of a thesis (CE 698A and CE 698B).

Departmental Report Option:

The Departmental Report option requires 27 semester hours of coursework and 3 semester hours for the preparation of a Departmental Report (CE 398D). More details about the Departmental Report are provided here: Departmental Report Option. Please note the Report in this option is retained by the department, and is not published by the Graduate School.

Additional Rules

Students enrolled in any option must take at least six hours but no more the twelve hours of coursework outside of the major area, in supporting areas of study (i.e., in a minor area). Students should consult with their faculty advisor for approval of courses in the supporting area.
Students may include a limited number of upper-division undergraduate courses as part of the M.S. degree coursework program. Grades earned in these courses count towards the graduate GPA. The number of upper-division undergraduate courses that can be counted towards the M.S. degree depends on the degree option, as follows:
- Thesis Option: Up to three upper-division undergraduate courses (9 hours) can be counted towards the degree, with no more than two courses (6 hours) in either the major or the minor.
- Departmental Report Option: Up to two upper-division undergraduate courses (6 hours) can be counted towards the degree.
Students enrolled in any option can take at most one course (3 hours) for Credit/No Credit. This course must be in the minor area and requires approval of a faculty advisor in Structural Engineering. (Note that this rule supersedes CAEE department policies, which permit two minor area courses to be taken on a Credit/No Credit basis).
Students receiving research support are expected to complete the Thesis Option.
According to Graduate School rules, graduate students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to be in good standing. Please note that a grade of B- is less than 3.0. Further, only courses in which a student earns a grade of C or better may be counted towards the degree.

Additional Comments

Students are not required to choose among the degree options at the time of initial enrollment in the M.S. program. Students should discuss the degree options with a faculty advisor in Structural Engineering and are encouraged to choose one of the degree options sometime during their first semester or early in the second semester of their program.
The two degree options allow students to vary the balance between coursework and research in their M.S. program. The Thesis Option has the largest emphasis on research among the options. Students are encouraged to discuss potential research topics with the faculty in Structural Engineering, and to identify a research supervisor and research topic during their first semester in the program.

Prerequisites

Entering M.S. students in Structural Engineering are expected to have already completed at least one undergraduate course in structural analysis, at least one undergraduate course in steel design and at least one undergraduate course in reinforced concrete design. If this is not the case, the student is expected to correct the deficiency as soon as possible in their M.S. program by taking the appropriate course or courses from the following list:

- - CE 329 - Structural Analysis
  - CE 331 - Reinforced Concrete Design
  - CE 335 - Elements of Steel Design

These courses cannot be counted towards fulfillment of coursework requirements for the M.S. degree. Students who have had only a single undergraduate structural design course that covers both steel and reinforced concrete in the same course will be expected to take an additional design course from the list above.

Course Selection Requirements

M.S. students in Structural Engineering should develop a program of courses in consultation with a faculty advisor in Structural Engineering.

According to the requirements of the Graduate School, the M.S. program must include courses both in the major area and in supporting areas. For all degree options, at least six semester hours of supporting work are required. The intent of this requirement is to assure that coursework programs provide both depth and breadth.

A list of suggested courses can be found at the end of this page. Any course listed under Courses in Structural Engineering can be counted as a major area course. Many of the courses on this list can also be counted as supporting courses, in consultation with a faculty advisor in Structural Engineering. Supporting course can also be taken in other areas of Civil Engineering (e.g., Construction Materials, Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Engineering and Project Management, etc.), or in other departments. Some suggested courses outside of Structural Engineering can be found in the list of Additional Courses of Interest for Structural Engineering Graduate Students. The list is not intended to be exhaustive; it is provided merely to illustrate the wide variety of course available outside the Structural Engineering area.

In addition to the requirements noted above, we recommend that all students include the following in their program of courses:

- - CE 381P – Computer Methods in Structural Analysis
  - Minimum of 1 graduate-level steel course
  - Minimum of 1 graduate-level concrete course

Alternative program of courses:

Students may propose a program of courses that deviates from the requirements described above. However, the student must justify the alternative program, and must petition the Structural Engineering faculty in writing in advance of undertaking the alternative program of courses. Any alternative program of courses must still meet all requirements of the Graduate School and the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering.

PhD Requirements

The Ph.D. program in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Structural Engineering is highly flexible to accommodate a wide range of student educational objectives and research interests. Overall, the Ph.D. program demands very high standards of scholarship from students. Students are expected to develop both great depth and breadth in their knowledge and to conduct research that is a significant and original contribution at the frontiers of knowledge. The program is intended to prepare students for careers in teaching and research in academia or careers in research and advanced engineering applications in industry.

In addition to the guidelines and requirements described below, Ph.D. students in Structural Engineering must also follow all rules and requirements of the Graduate School and the Civil Engineering Ph.D. program.

The Ph.D. degree in Structural Engineering requires the completion of significant coursework beyond the M.S., conducting independent research leading to the preparation of a dissertation, and completion of major examinations and other milestones, as described below.

Coursework

There is no specific minimum number of courses required for the Ph.D. degree. Nonetheless, Ph.D. students are expected to take a significant number of courses to develop breadth and depth in their knowledge and to prepare them to conduct independent research. Courses should be selected by the student in consultation with their Research Supervisor and their Dissertation Committee. As a guideline, Ph.D. students in Structural Engineering typically take 7 to 10 courses beyond the M.S.

Research

The Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree, and conducting high quality original research represents the most fundamental requirement of the degree. Research for the Ph.D. is expected to be significant in scope and to be an original contribution at the frontiers of knowledge in the field. Further, while research is conducted under the guidance of the Research Supervisor and the Dissertation Committee, Ph.D. students are expected to work independently in the conduct of their research. Admitted graduate students are encouraged to reach out to professors individually to find an advisor and to inquire about potential teaching or research assistantship positions.

To develop a suitable topic and scope for their research, Ph.D. students are encouraged to discuss their ideas and interests with the faculty in Structural Engineering. Ph.D. students are also encouraged to identify a faculty member to serve as their Research Supervisor and to identify a topic for their Ph.D. research as early as possible.

While the student will work closely with their Research Supervisor, the student will also form a Dissertation Committee to help guide and review the research. The Dissertation Committee normally consists of a minimum of three faculty members, with at least one member outside of the Civil Engineering Graduate Studies Committee.

Research for the Ph.D. culminates in the preparation of a Dissertation. The Dissertation must be approved by the Dissertation Committee.

Milestones Toward The Ph.D. Degree

This section outlines major steps and milestones towards achievement of the Ph.D. degree.

Research Supervisor

Ph.D. students are required to identify a Research Supervisor within one-year of enrolling in the program.

Qualifying Exam

A committee of Structural Engineering faculty will examine a student’s preparation to qualify for Ph.D. Candidacy. The qualifying examination is intended to assess a student’s preparation to pursue independent doctoral research in Structural Engineering and to advance to Ph.D. candidacy.

Timing of the Exam: The qualifying exam is typically taken during the first year of the Ph.D. program or by the end of the first full academic year, depending on the student’s background and preparation. The exact timing is flexible and determined in consultation with the student’s Ph.D. supervisor, who may adjust the schedule based on prior coursework, research experience, or other relevant qualifications.

Responsibility for Scheduling and Logistics: The Ph.D. supervisor is responsible for determining whether a qualifying exam is required, scheduling the exam, and coordinating all logistics, including the formation of an examining committee if needed. The student is expected to work closely with their supervisor to ensure the process is completed in a timely manner.

Examination Format: The qualifying examination may written and/or oral, depending on the supervisor’s recommendation. When an examining committee is convened, the criteria and content of the examination will be selected by the committee based on the student’s preparation and research interests.

Waiver of the Exam: Some or all components of the qualifying exam may be waived based on the student’s qualifications. The decision to waive the exam or require an examining committee rests with the Ph.D. supervisor. Examples of criteria that may be considered include, but are not limited to:

Substantial prior research, teaching, and/or professional experience

Successful completion of a qualifying exam at a peer institution

A minimum GPA of 3.5 at The University of Texas while enrolled full-time in graduate Structural Engineering coursework (for at least one semester)

Other qualifications deemed sufficient to demonstrate adequate preparation to pursue the Ph.D. degree.

Questions and Points of Contact: Students with questions about the qualifying exam process should contact their Ph.D. supervisor. If additional clarification is needed, the supervisor may consult with the Structural Engineering faculty.

Demonstration of English Proficiency

Before a student can apply for Ph.D. Candidacy, they must satisfy the Civil Engineering PhD program’s English proficiency requirements for Ph.D. students. This generally requires achieving a minimum score of 4.0 on the GRE Analytical Writing Exam or by passing an approved technical writing course. Students should consult with the CAEE Graduate Coordinator for the specific requirements.

Admission to Ph.D. Candidacy

After passing the Qualifying Exam and after satisfying English proficiency requirements, Ph.D. students should apply to the Graduate School for admission to Ph.D. Candidacy. The application for admission to Ph.D. Candidacy is made on-line at the Graduate School website. Specific requirements of the application for admission to Ph.D. Candidacy are available from the Graduate School and also from the CAEE Graduate Coordinator. In general, however, the application includes a list of members of the Dissertation Committee, a preliminary title of the Dissertation, and a brief description of the proposed dissertation research.

Comprehensive Exam

The Comprehensive Exam, also known as the Mastery of the Major Exam, must be taken and passed by all Ph.D. students in Structural Engineering. The Comprehensive Exam is administered by the Dissertation Committee, and is normally taken after the student has completed a majority of their coursework and has started on their dissertation research. Students should discuss the appropriate timing of the Comprehensive Exam with their Research Supervisor.

The content and format of the Comprehensive Exam is at the discretion of the Dissertation Committee. In general, however, the Comprehensive Exam includes a presentation by the student on the proposed dissertation topic, including the proposed research objectives, scope and methods. To determine if the student passes the exam, the Dissertation Committee must assess if the proposed research is suitable for a Ph.D. dissertation and whether the student is adequately prepared to undertake the research. The Dissertation Committee may suggest or require changes to the research plan and may suggest or require the student to take additional coursework.

Defense of Dissertation (Final Oral Examination)

The Defense of Dissertation is the final exam for the Ph.D. degree. In this exam, the student presents the results of their dissertation research to the Dissertation Committee. At least four weeks prior to the exam, the student must deliver a final draft of their dissertation, reviewed for technical and grammatical correctness by the Research Supervisor, to members of the Dissertation Committee. The student must also submit a written request to hold the Final Oral Examination to the Graduate School at least two weeks before the examination. Note that the Dissertation Committee may request changes to the dissertation as a result of the exam. Consequently, students are encouraged to schedule the exam well ahead of the dissertation filing deadline for the desired semester of graduation.

Courses

Listed below are undergraduate and graduate courses in Structural Engineering and closely related fields. Descriptions for most courses are provided in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs of The University of Texas at Austin. Course offerings for each semester are listed in the Course Schedule available at the Registrar’s web site. Students should choose courses in consultation with a faculty advisor in Structural Engineering and in accordance with degree requirements.

Undergraduate Courses

- Undergraduate Courses
  - CE 329 – Structural Analysis
  - CE 331 – Reinforced Concrete Design
  - CE 335 – Elements of Steel Design
  - CE 351 – Concrete Materials
  - CE 362M – Advanced Reinforced Concrete Design
  - CE 362N – Advanced Steel Design
  - CE 363 – Advanced Structural Analysis
  - CE 377K – Data Science in CAEE
  - CE 377K – Introduction to Bridge Engineering
  - ARE 245K – Masonry Engineering
  - ARE 362L – Structural Design in Wood
- Graduate Courses
  - CE 381P – Computer Methods in Structural Analysis
  - CE 381R – The Finite Element Method
  - CE 381W – Introduction to Wave Physics
  - CE 384P – Dynamic Response of Structures
  - CE 397 – Adv. Mechanics of Materials and Structures
  - CE 383L – Advanced Reinforced Concrete Members
  - CE 383P – Prestressed Concrete
  - CE 393 – Advanced Concrete Materials
  - CE 393C – Experimental Methods in Cement Chemistry
  - CE 393D – Concrete Durability
  - CE 397 – Advanced Concrete Processing
  - CE 397 – Mechanics and Modeling of Reinforced Concrete
  - CE 383D – Steel Bridge Design
  - CE 397K – Stability of Structures
  - CE 397L – Advanced Structural Metals
  - CE 397 – Advanced Steel Design
  - CE 397 – Advanced Topics in Structural Steel
  - CE 382H – Structural Health Monitoring
  - CE 384R – Earthquake Engineering
  - CE 384S – Structural Reliability
  - CE 397 – Coastal Engineering
  - CE 397 – Experimental Methods for Structural Evaluation
  - CE 397 – Sustainable Materials
  - Structural Analysis
  - Concrete
  - Steel
  - Other Applicable Courses
- Additional Courses of Interest for Structural Engineering Graduate Students:
  - Geotechnical Engineering
    - CE 360K – Foundation Engineering (UG)
    - CE 375 – Earth Slopes & Retaining Structures (UG)
    - CE 387L.2 – Foundation Engineering
    - CE 387R.4 – Earth Retaining Structures
    - CE 387R.5 – Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
    - CE 387T – Decision, Risk, & Reliability
    - CE 397 – Scientific Machine Learning
  - Construction Engineering
    - CE 395R.7 – Building Information Modeling for Capital Projects
    - CE 395R.8 – Urban Systems Engineering
    - CE 395T.8 – Industrial Construction
    - CE 395U.3 – Advanced Legal Concepts
    - CE 397 – Circular Economy in the Built Environment
  - Ocean Engineering
    - CE 358 – Introductory Ocean Engineering (UG)
    - CE 380P.4 – Ocean Engineering, Boundary Element Methods
  - Transportation Engineering
    - CE 397 – Linear Regression & Discrete Methods