Structural engineering and mechanics courses will now be offered online as part of the department’s online master’s degree program, and students will now be able to pursue the M.S.C.E. degree in the area of Structures. Online course offerings now include 45 classes across a range of CEE areas. Program applications for fall 2013 are being accepted through June 1.
“Structural Engineering has always been a large and vibrant program at Illinois, underpinned by legendary faculty such as Wilbur Wilson, Nathan Newmark and Bill Hall,” said Professor William Buttlar, Director of Online and Blended Programs. “Today, our world-renowned faculty are leading the way in the areas such as structural dynamics and earthquake engineering, computational mechanics and consequence-based risk management. Prospective students have been chomping at the bit for an online M.S.C.E. degree in Structural Engineering, so we are delighted to be able to offer the program to them at this time.”
The CEE Online program allows students to earn certificates, professional development hours or graduate degrees entirely online. Established in fall 2011, the program just graduated its first M.S. student in May 2013. Online students receive access to recorded on-campus lectures and follow the class syllabus, including the same assignments, exams and projects as on-campus students. Students are part of the class, interacting with other students and faculty, working on projects with other students and following the regular pace of the course.
The M.S. degree in Civil Engineering requires 36 credit hours (non-thesis). Students choose a specialty area and also have the option to develop cross-disciplinary programs in consultation with their advisers. Students have five years to complete the program.
The department specialty areas currently available online are Construction Management, Infrastructure, Structural Engineering and Transportation Engineering. Courses are available in the following areas of concentration to complement the student's area of specialty: Construction Materials, Environmental Engineering and Science, Environmental Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering and Geotechnical Engineering.