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University of Pittsburgh    
2023-2024 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog 
    
 
  Dec 03, 2024
 
2023-2024 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Civil and Environmental Engineering - Structural Engineering and Mechanics Area, MSCE


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The general requirements for the option for the Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering - Structural Engineering and Mechanics Area degree (thesis and professional) are detailed below:

Requirements


Professional Option: 30 course credits (e.g., ten, 3-credit lecture courses) minimum

Thesis Option: 24 course credits (e.g., eight, 3-credit course equivalents) minimum and 6 thesis research (CEE 2999 ) credits

All M.S. students enter the professional MS program. Students interested in the thesis option should meet with program faculty to explore project options and can transition to the thesis option if they find a thesis advisor and project.

Students pursing the thesis option must complete novel research that advances the current state of knowledge in their field, is composed in a written dissertation, and presented to their faculty committee during a thesis defense.

The professional option is not available to students supported as graduate research or teaching assistants. Students supported as graduate research assistants are required to pursue the thesis option. All full-time graduate students must enroll in the departmental seminar (CEE 2085 - GRADUATE DEPARTMENTAL SEMINAR ) every semester of their full-time study. 

The detailed course requirements for these two degree options are as follows:

Professional MS Degree Requirements

a) 3 credits - CEE 2320 - ADVANCED MECHANICS OF MATERIALS  or CEE 2321 - ELASTICITY, PLASTICITY AND FRACTURE MECHANICS  

b) 3 credits - CEE 2333 - INTRODUCTION TO FINITE ELEMENTS   or Equivalent

c) 3 credits - SEM Graduate Design Elective - CEE 2340 - CONCRETE STRUCTURES 2 , CEE 2341 - DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES , CEE 2343 - PRESTRESSED CONCRETE , CEE 2346 - REPAIR AND RETROFIT OF STRUCTURES  or CEE 2347 - BRIDGE ENGINEERING  

d) 6 credits - SEM Graduate Technical Elective - CEE 2330 - ADVANCED STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS , CEE 2343 - PRESTRESSED CONCRETE , CEE 2347 - BRIDGE ENGINEERING , CEE 2360 - DYNAMICS OF STRUCTURES  or CEE 2370 - INTRODUCTION TO NONDESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION AND STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING  

Note: CEE 2330 - ADVANCED STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS  may not be taken for graduate credit if the student’s undergraduate program includes an equivalent course.

e) 15 credits - Graduate Technical Electives

Graduate Technical Electives may include any advisor-approved program-related graduate course (i.e., course numbers 2XXX or 3XXX), including guided special investigations ( CEE 2996 ). No more than six credits of CEE 2996   may count towards the degree program coursework requirements).

MS Thesis Degree Requirements

a) 3 credits - CEE 2320 - ADVANCED MECHANICS OF MATERIALS  or CEE 2321 - ELASTICITY, PLASTICITY AND FRACTURE MECHANICS  

b) 3 credits - CEE 2333 - INTRODUCTION TO FINITE ELEMENTS   or Equivalent

c) 3 credits - SEM Graduate Design Elective - CEE 2340 - CONCRETE STRUCTURES 2 , CEE 2341 - DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES , CEE 2343 - PRESTRESSED CONCRETE , CEE 2346 - REPAIR AND RETROFIT OF STRUCTURES  or CEE 2347 - BRIDGE ENGINEERING  

d) 6 credits - SEM Graduate Technical Elective - CEE 2330 - ADVANCED STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS , CEE 2343 - PRESTRESSED CONCRETE , CEE 2347 - BRIDGE ENGINEERING , CEE 2360 - DYNAMICS OF STRUCTURES  or CEE 2370 - INTRODUCTION TO NONDESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION AND STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING  

Note: CEE 2330 - ADVANCED STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS  may not be taken for graduate credit if the student’s undergraduate program includes an equivalent course.

e) 9 credits - Graduate Technical Electives

Graduate Technical Electives may include any advisor-approved program-related graduate course (i.e., course numbers 2XXX or 3XXX), including guided special investigations ( CEE 2996 ). No more than six credits of CEE 2996  may count towards the degree program coursework requirements).

f) 6 credits - CEE 2999 - M.S. THESIS  

Thesis Defense

Students pursuing the MS Thesis Option must pass an oral presentation and defense of their completed thesis, administered by the student’s thesis committee. The thesis examining committee will consist of the advisor as chair plus at least two other members of the faculty recommended by the major adviser and approved by the department chair or program director.

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