Introduction to Structural Engineering

This course will introduce students to structural engineering: the science and art of designing and making structures that can safely resist the forces to which they are subjected. Through lectures and activities, students will study different construction materials (steel, concrete, timber, and masonry), learn how structures take and transfer loads, and discover the basics of structural dynamics. The course explores real-world examples of successful projects, as well as lessons learned from structural failures. Students will work in small groups to complete a bridge-building challenge and a final project. By the end of the course, students will have developed an understanding of how structures work.