M.Tech. Structural Engineering

Last Updated on July 29, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar

Hi readers! In this post, we will deal with an M.Tech. (Master of Technology) program. Here, we will have an in-depth analysis of M.Tech. in Structural Engineering course.

  M.Tech. stands for Master of Technology. Such programs are also known as M.E. (Master of Engineering) programs.   M.Tech. is a Master’s Degree course. Technically, it is a PG level course. PG stands for Postgraduate level.   M.Tech. in Structural Engineering is an ideal PG course for Civil Engineering graduates. Graduates hailing from other relevant disciplines are also eligible to pursue this course.   Here is an overview of the course –

• Name of the course: M.Tech. in Structural Engineering
• Type of course: Master of Technology
• Field: Civil Engineering
• Duration: 2 years
• Eligibility Criteria: Completed B.Tech./B.E. in Civil Engineering OR Construction Technology OR Architecture

What’s structural engineering all about? What’s it like to specialize in this field? What’s the scope and potential associated with this domain?   You will find answers to the above mentioned questions in the next section. Here it is –

Structural Engineering: An Introduction

Structural Engineering is a part of Civil Engineering. This discipline deals with the design and construction of structures. The term ‘structure’ is not just limited to buildings! Structural Engineering deals with the design and construction of structures such as –

• Roads
• Dams
• Bridges
• Buildings
• Built Environment

Civil Engineering is a broad field. It consists of many sub-branches and disciplines. Structural Engineering forms an integral part of Civil Engineering.   Why is Structural Engineering so important, you may ask. It is very important because it is responsible for ensuring the safety and durability of built structures.   Let us take the example of human habitats. You’d like your school to be safe and comfortable, right? Similarly, you’d like your home to be safe and comfortable, right?   Structural Engineering plays a huge role in ensuring the safety of human habitats and buildings. Apart from that, it also plays a huge role in ensuring the safety and stability of huge structures such as dams, bridges and built environment.   A Structural Engineer is a professional who takes care of aspects related to structural safety and stability of built environment. He/she calculates the stability, strength and rigidity of built structures for buildings.   A structural engineer usually deals with structural components and systems. He/she also has to achieve certain design goals. In short, he/she must ensure that a structure is safe, stable, satisfies the design scheme and is comfortable/useful.   Structural Engineering involves concepts and principles of the following domains –

• Physics
• Construction Technology
• Geometry
• Material Science
• Design
• Planning
• Loads (Gravity, Wind, Seismic etc)
• Stress and Strain
• And more…

Structural Engineering is a fairly broad field. It consists of many sub-disciplines. Some of the notable sub-disciplines are –

• Fire Engineering
• Facade Engineering
• Earthquake Engineering
• Roof Engineering
• Tower Engineering
• Wind Engineering

Come, let us take a closer look at the course details. In the next section, you will find details such as – duration of the academic program, eligibility criteria, colleges, fees and syllabus.

Course Details

Type of course

It is a Master of Technology course. Technically, it is a PG level course.

Duration

The academic program is 2 years long. Each academic year is divided into two semesters. Each semester is six months long. The entire academic program consists of four semesters.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates who have completed relevant Bachelor’s Degree course are eligible to pursue this course. Relevant courses include –

• B.E. or B.Tech. in Civil Engineering
• Bachelor of Construction Technology
• B.Arch.

Minimum aggregate marks criteria may also apply. If it is applicable, minimum aggregate marks required is 45-55% marks.

Syllabus

Here are some of the important subjects present in the curriculum –

• Foundation Engineering
• Earthquake Engineering
• Structural Analysis
• Structural Failure
• RCC Design
• Steel Design
• Bridge Design
• Marine Structures (Design)
• Design Studio

Colleges

There are two types of Engineering Colleges offering this course in India –

• Government Engineering Colleges
• Self Financed Engineering Colleges

Government Colleges can further be classified into two types – State Govt Colleges and Central Govt Colleges. Government Colleges are known to charge lower fees than their Self Financed counterparts.   Some of the popular colleges are –

• IITs
• NITs
• Nirma University
• BITS

Admission process

Reputed institutes rely on merit based admission process. Such institutes make use of relevant entrance test to select deserving candidates. Some institutes are also known to conduct their own qualifying test in order to select deserving candidates.

Fees

Tuition fees charged for the program may vary from one College to another. It depends upon the following factors –

• Type of College (Govt or SF)
• Rating and reputation of the College
• Scholarship status of the student

On an average, tuition fees could be anywhere between 80-150K INR per semester. Government Colleges are known to charge relatively lower fees that their Self Financed counterparts.

You may also check – Best courses for civil engineering graduates

Career Prospects

After completing this course, one will have access to multiple job opportunities. Some of the notable job opportunities are –

1. Government Jobs
2. Private Sector Jobs
3. Self-Employment Opportunities

Here are some of the notable Government sector recruiters –

• Housing Boards
• Municipal Corporations
• NHAI
• PWD
• Indian Railway
• Armed Forces
• City/Town Planning Agencies

Here are some of the notable Private sector recruiters –

• Construction Firms
• Consultancies
• NGOs
• Architecture Agencies

If you are interested in self-employment, you may start your own design studio or consultation firm.

Salary

Starting salary depends upon different factors. Some such notable factors are –

• Job location
• Profile of the employer
• His/her academic performance
• His/her skills and aptitude
• Job profile

On an average, starting salary could be anywhere between 40-80K INR per month. In case of Government job, the salary will be based on designated pay scale and grade.