Structural Engineering & Structural Mechanics
Welcome to the graduate program in Structural Engineering and Structural Mechanics (SESM) at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The following introductory information should be useful to familiarize yourself with our graduate program. In particular this advice will enable you to pre-register for classes in your first semester and will acquaint you with some of the graduate degree requirements in Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering (CEAE). When pre-registering for departmental courses, sign up for the 5000-level section of courses if they are cross listed. This is important since 4000-level departmental courses will be considered deficiencies, and graduate credit will not be awarded for them.
Usually graduate students admitted to the SESM-program will have completed a B.S. degree in either Civil or Architectural Engineering from a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) in the United States, or will hold an equivalent degree from a foreign institution. Students should consult with their SESM Academic Advisor before initial registration. Advanced courses at the 6000 and 7000 levels are usually offered only in alternate years.
All entering graduate students are assigned a temporary Academic Advisor by the SESM-member on the departmental Graduate Committee. When a student selects a research topic, the research advisor, who will supervise his/her work towards a thesis/report, will take over the responsibilities of the Academic Advisor. Such a change is routine, but it does require formal action consisting of filling out a form signed by the original and proposed advisors and approved by the Departmental Chair. All graduate students are expected to develop a Degree Plan during the first semester of their graduate work with the advice of the Academic Advisor. This Degree Plan requires Departmental approval.
More Information: SESM Brochure Sept. 7, 2009