UCSD Structural Engineering vs. Civil Engineering?

[vallgall]

I want to major in Civil Engineering, as I’m really interested in designing and constructing roads, buildings, bridges, etc. I’ve been wanting to apply to UCSD, as I love the campus and I’ve heard that they have a good engineering program. However, they don’t offer Civil Engineering specifically. I’m also interested in Structural Engineering, as I did some research and it is similar to Civil Engineering in some aspects.

I’m not sure if a SE major will give me as many job opportunities after college compared to CE, and if it would pay as well. Is UCSD’s Structural Engineering just as good as the other UC’s Civil Engineering, and would it benefit me just as well in the end? (I do plan to apply to UCB and UCLA as my top two schools, but UCSD was my third choice since those two are very competitive.)

[ucbalumnus]

The following may help you understand how it differs from traditional civil engineering degree programs:
https://structures.ucsd.edu/about-us/history
https://structures.ucsd.edu/academics/undergraduate-program

@UCSD Structural Engineering

The vision of a Structural Engineering department at UCSD is not new, but rather carefully laid out and developed over the past 12 years. With the decision of the AMES department in the early 80’s to focus on more traditional engineering degree programs, this vision led to a B.S. degree program in structural engineering rather than civil engineering to build on the existing strength in structural mechanics and materials without the need to expand into other traditionally required civil programs such as surveying, traffic engineering, construction, waste water treatment, etc.

UCSD is highly competitive for admission, and all of its engineering majors are additionally competitive. Be sure to have actual safety schools where you are assured of admission to your desired major.

[Corbett]

I want to major in Civil Engineering, as I’m really interested in designing and constructing roads, buildings, bridges, etc.

Structural engineering is generally regarded as a specialized subdiscipline of civil. It’s an important part of civil engineering – but it’s not the whole thing.

For example, you say you want to design buildings and bridges. That’s “structural engineering”. OK, in that case, UCSD should be fine.

But – you also mentioned “roads”. That’s “transportation engineering”, and it probably isn’t available at UCSD. How about water supply systems? That’s “water resource engineering”, and it probably isn’t available at UCSD either.

The UCSD program specializes in one particular branch of civil engineering. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as you are interested in that speciality. However, you probably won’t get the same exposure to the different branches of civil engineering, and have as many different options, as you would in a traditional civil department.

[Corbett]

Is UCSD’s Structural Engineering just as good as the other UC’s Civil Engineering, and would it benefit me just as well in the end?

It depends on what kind of civil engineer you want to be.

If you know you want to work with structures, like buildings and bridges, then UCSD could be a great choice. That’s their specialty.

If you know you want to work with other aspects of infrastructure, like roads, tunnels, drainage, water supply, pipelines, or environmental issues, then UCSD is probably not be a good choice. They specialize in structures, not these other things.

If you don’t yet know what kind of civil engineer you want to be, then UCSD may not be a good choice, because they don’t offer the full spectrum of options. Again, they specialize in structures.