Program Overview

Structural Engineering, B.S. (Beginning Fall 2026)

The Saint Louis University Department of Civil Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Structural Engineering that provides students with an in-depth experience focused solely on structural engineering. The curriculum emphasizes professional practice to better prepare students for the structural engineering licensure exam after graduation using project-based, hands-on learning methods.

Overview

As a student in the structural engineering program, you will develop critical thinking and leadership skills to address societys needs at local, regional, and global levels. Students also have the opportunity to join many student clubs, such as the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers and participate in project competitions like the AISC National Student Steel Bridge Competition.

Curriculum Overview

SLUs structural engineering program provides a solid foundation of coursework in the engineering sciences, including solid mechanics and fluid dynamics. The program primarily focuses on the structural engineering side of civil engineering, including a broad range of topics related to structural analysis and advanced structural analysis, structural dynamics, reinforced concrete and steel design, advanced courses in reinforced concrete and steel design, masonry and timber structures, and bridge design along with complimentary courses in construction, materials, and geotechnical engineering. In addition to the core technical content, the curriculum features a unique hands-on learning environment that illustrates real-world applications.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Students at SLU can engage with industry through various internship opportunities and/or undergraduate research experiences. Internship opportunities include the public and private sector and students can arrange for their internship experience to count toward a professional development elective under the direction of a faculty mentor. Undergraduate research opportunities include the SURGE and FIRE programs that allow students to work on collaborative projects under the direction of a faculty member in a university research lab.

Careers

Students with a B.S. in structural engineering can pursue graduate or professional school or enter industry. Some examples of career paths related to structural engineering include but are not limited to:

• Private consulting
• Architectural and engineering firms
• Bridge engineering
• Forensic engineering
• Construction industry
• Government agencies
• Aerospace industry

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicants file.

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED or HiSET. Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• All academic records must include an English translation. An official course-by-course transcript evaluation may be required and accepted.

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission and matriculation requirements of Saint Louis University, applicants to SLUs engineering programs must meet the following requirements:

• GPA: Minimum cumulative 3.00 high school GPA for freshmen applicants and 2.70 college GPA for transfer applicants.
• Coursework: Strong applicants will have 15 total units of high school work, including three or four units of English; four or more units of mathematics, including algebra I and II, geometry and precalculus (Algebra II with Trigonometry is not sufficient).

Tuition

Tuition Per Year:

• Undergraduate Tuition: $56,960

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership, and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Program Requirements

The program requires a total of 126 credits, including:

• Undergraduate University Core: 32-35 credits
• Major Requirements:
  • Math: 15 credits
  • Science: 8 credits
  • Civil Engineering: 44 credits
  • Other Engineering: 10 credits
  • Focus Area Electives: 12 credits
  • Professional Development Electives: 6 credits

Course List

The following courses are required for the program:

• MATH 1510: Calculus I
• MATH 1520: Calculus II
• MATH 2530: Calculus III
• MATH 3550: Differential Equations
• STAT 3850: Foundation of Statistics
• CVNG 1000: Intro to Civil Engineering
• CVNG 1001: Civil Engineering Modeling
• CVNG 2020: GIS and Surveying in Civil Engineering Lab
• CVNG 2070: Construction & Project Management
• CVNG 2100: Statics
• CVNG 2500: Civil Engineering Computing
• CVNG 3010: Structural Analysis
• CVNG 3020: Structural Analysis Lab
• CVNG 3030: Civil Engineering Materials
• CVNG 3031: Civil Engineering Materials Laboratory
• CVNG 3090: Geotechnical Engineering
• CVNG 3100: Geotechnical Engineering Lab
• CVNG 3105X: Mechanics of Solids
• CVNG 3150: Introduction to Structural Design
• CVNG 3160: Structural Design Lab
• CVNG 4050: Advanced Structural Analysis
• CVNG 4070: Structural Dynamics
• CVNG 4500: Capstone Design I
• CVNG 4510: Capstone Design II

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Identify, formulate, and solve complex structural engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. Apply structural engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
3. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in structural engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5. Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions in structural engineering.
7. Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
8. Design a system, component, or process using more than one structural engineering material.
9. Explain basic concepts in management, business, public policy, and leadership.

Non-Course Requirements

All School of Science and Engineering B.A. and B.S. students must complete an exit interview/survey near the end of their bachelor's program. Students are required to obtain a C- or better in designated prerequisite courses. Students who do not obtain a C- or better in a designated prerequisite course must retake the course and will not be permitted to progress to the following course(s).

Continuation Standards

Students are required to maintain a 2.00 overall GPA. Students whose overall GPA drops below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation.

Roadmap

The following is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for the program:

• Year One:
  • Fall: MATH 1510, CHEM 1110, SE 1700, CORE 1500, CORE 1200, CORE 1900
  • Spring: MATH 1520, PHYS 1610, CVNG 1000, CVNG 1001, CORE 1600
• Year Two:
  • Fall: MATH 2530, CVNG 2100, CVNG 2020, CVNG 2070, CVNG 2500, CORE 2500, ECE 1200
  • Spring: MATH 3550, STAT 3850, CVNG 3105X, MENG 2150, CORE 1700, ECE 1100
• Year Three:
  • Fall: CVNG 3010, CVNG 3020, CVNG 3030, CVNG 3031, CVNG 4070, MENG 3200, CORE 3400
  • Spring: CVNG 3090, CVNG 3100, CVNG 3150, CVNG 3160, CVNG 4050, MENG 3510X
• Year Four:
  • Fall: CVNG 4500, Focus Area Electives, Professional Development Elective, Science Elective w/ Lab, CORE 4500
  • Spring: CVNG 4510, Focus Area Electives, Professional Development Elective, CORE 3600

For more information, please contact: Chris Carroll, Ph.D., P.E. Department Chair