At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
The program in Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology provides the basic education required for the structural engineer and construction profession. Students learn the basic general engineering concepts needed for this major with emphasis on the fundamentals, structural design principles, and construction techniques through required course work. They are given the opportunity to focus in a discipline of construction management or structural design through a selected option or choose a broad general option. Courses in communication skills, arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and other engineering related areas broaden the program. Students gain experience in working as members of a team and in using interdisciplinary approaches to solve problems. These experiences, as well as those related to design and construction principles, are taught through exercises in the classroom, laboratory, and field. The program culminates with a capstone project course in which the students' knowledge and skills are applied to specific problems.
What is Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology?
Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology is a discipline concerned with basic structural engineering principles and construction techniques, building site inspection, site supervision, construction personnel supervision, plan and specification interpretation, supply logistics and procurement, applicable building codes, and report preparation.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You like hands-on and creative problem-solving.
- You work well within collaborative, multidisciplinary teams.
- You are interested in a career in the construction industry.
Entrance to Major
In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, a student must:
- attain at least a C (2.00) cumulative grade-point average for all courses taken at the University; and
- have at least third-semester classification.
READ SENATE POLICY 37-30: ENTRANCE TO AND CHANGES IN MAJOR PROGRAMS OF STUDY
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Science degree in Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology, a minimum of 125 credits is required:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 45 |
| Electives | 0-8 |
| Requirements for the Major | 96-106 |
24 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses; 3 credits of GS courses; 3 credits of GWS courses; 3 credits of GHW courses.
Requirements for the Major
To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
Common Requirements for the Major (All Options)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| CET 308 | Construction Methods and Materials | 3 |
| CET 342 | Civil Engineering Materials - Concrete and Bituminous | 3 |
| CET 343 | Soils Mechanics | 3 |
| CET 434 | Foundations | 3 |
| CHEM 110 | Chemical Principles I  | 3 |
| CHEM 111 | Experimental Chemistry I | 1 |
| ET 200 | Graphic Communications | 3 |
| SSET 295 | Internship | 1 |
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| CE 254 | Personal & Occupational Safety | 3 |
| CE 333W | Construction Management I | 3 |
| CET 430 | Structural Analysis | 3 |
| CET 431 | Structural Design-Steel | 3 |
| CET 432 | Structural Design-Reinforced Concrete | 3 |
| CET 435 | Construction Estimating | 3 |
| ENGL 202C | Effective Writing: Technical Writing | 3 |
| MATH 140 | Calculus With Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| CE 310 | Surveying | 3-4 |
| or SUR 111 | Plane Surveying | |
| ET 323 | Strength of Materials Laboratory | 1 |
| or MET 214 | Strength and Properties of Materials Laboratory | |
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting and Advanced Computer Aided Drafting | ||
| Cornerstone Engineering Design | ||
| Select 3-4 credits from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Technical Physics I | ||
| General Physics: Mechanics | ||
| Introductory Physics I | ||
| Select 3-4 credits from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Technical Physics II | ||
| General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Introductory Physics II | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Principles of Economics | ||
| Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy | ||
| Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Introduction to Programming Techniques | ||
| Programming for Engineers with C++ | ||
| Select 3-4 credits from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Financial and Managerial Accounting for Decision Making | ||
| Survey of Management | ||
| Basic Management Concepts | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| MATH 141 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| or STAT 200 | Elementary Statistics | |
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Statics | ||
| Mechanics I: Statics (does not require a grade of C or better) | ||
| Mechanics for Technology: Statics | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Strength of Materials | ||
| Strength of Materials | ||
| Strength and Properties of Materials | ||
| Requirements for the Option | ||
| Select an option | 19-25 | |
Requirements for the Option
Construction Management Option (19-21 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| CE 456 | Planning and Scheduling | 3 |
| CE 458 | Construction Management II | 3 |
| CE 488C | Capstone Project - Construction | 4 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Select 3-4 credits from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Financial and Managerial Accounting for Decision Making | ||
| Survey of Management | ||
| Basic Management Concepts | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning | ||
| Highway Engineering | ||
| Sustainable Engineering | ||
| Building Energy Systems | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Select 3-4 credits from approved program list | 3-4 | |
General Option (25 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| CE 445 | Advanced Structural Analysis | 3 |
| CE 449 | Advanced Structural Design | 3 |
| CE 456 | Planning and Scheduling | 3 |
| CE 458 | Construction Management II | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| ET 321 | Dynamics | 3 |
| or EMCH 212 | Dynamics | |
| CE 360 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| or CET 361 | Fluid Flow | |
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning | ||
| Highway Engineering | ||
| Sustainable Engineering | ||
| Building Energy Systems | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| CE 488C | Capstone Project - Construction | 4 |
| or CE 488D | Capstone Project - Structural Design | |
Structural Design Option (19-20 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| CE 445 | Advanced Structural Analysis | 3 |
| CE 449 | Advanced Structural Design | 3 |
| CE 488D | Capstone Project - Structural Design | 4 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| CET 361 | Fluid Flow | 3 |
| or CE 360 | Fluid Mechanics | |
| ET 321 | Dynamics | 3 |
| or EMCH 212 | Dynamics | |
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Select 3-4 credits from approved program list | 3-4 | |
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Arts (GA): 3 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 3 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
Integrative Studies
- Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits
Exploration
- GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
- GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
Harrisburg
Shirley Clark, Ph.D., P.E., DWRE
Program Chair
Olmsted Building, W236f
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6127
sec16@psu.edu
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2025-26 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.
Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology, B.S. at Harrisburg Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 15, 15S, 30T, or ESL 15 (GWS)‡ | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| EDSGN 100 | 3 | ECON 102 or 104 (GS)† | 3 |
| MATH 41 | 3 | CAS 100A or 100S (GWS)‡ | 3 |
| CHEM 110 (GN)† | 3 | PHYS 150, 211, or 250 (GN)† | 3-4 |
| CHEM 111 (GN)† | 1 | MATH 140 (GQ)‡ | 4 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| CE 100S | 1 | ||
| 17 | 16-17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| General Education Course | 3 | CMPSC 101, 131, 200, 201, or CMPSC 202 | 3 |
| PHYS 151, 212, or 251 (GN)† | 3-4 | ENGL 202C (GWS)‡ | 3 |
| MATH 141 or STAT 200 (GQ)‡ | 4 | ET 322 or EMCH 213* | 3 |
| ET 300 or EMCH 211* | 3 | ET 323 | 1 |
| ACCTG 211 or MGMT 301 | 3-4 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 16-18 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CE 254 (GHW)*† | 3 | CET 343 | 3 |
| CE 333W*† | 3 | CET 308 | 3 |
| CET 342 | 3 | CET 361 (S)(G) or ACCTG 211 (C) or MGMT 301 (C) | 3-4 |
| ET 321 or EMCH 212 (S)(G) | 3 | CET 430* | 3 |
| SUR 111 or CE 310 | 3-4 | ET 200 | 3 |
| 12-16 | 15-16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CET 431* | 3 | CET 434 | 3 |
| CET 432* | 3 | CE 321, MET 435, or ENVE 430 (C)(G) | 3 |
| CET 435* | 3 | CE 488D (S)(G) or CE 488C (C)* | 3 |
| CE 488D (S)(G) or CE 488C (C) * | 1 | CE 445 (S)(G)* | 3 |
| CE 456 (C)(G) * | 3 | CE 449 (S)(G)* | 3 |
| SSET 295 | 1 | CE 458 (C)(G)* | 3 |
| Approved Selection (C)(S) 1 | 3 | ||
| 14-17 | 12-18 | ||
| Total Credits 118-135 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
- 1
(C) (S) Approved Selection
Choose from the Approved Selection list.
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
Advising Notes:
- The minimum number of credits required to graduate is 125.
- Students must select an option in one of the following areas: Construction (C), Structural Design (S), or General (G).
Program Notes:
- Students must complete a 3-credit course in "United States Cultures (US)" and a 3-credit course in "International Cultures (IL)."
- Entrance into SDCET major require a minimum of 29.1 credits and a 2.0 GPA.
- Graduation in this major: Courses listed with an * requires a grade of C or better and an option area.
- SDCET Approved Selections
- Other engineering or business courses may be accepted with permission of the program chair.
- An option-required courses cannot be used for an Approved Selection
List of Approved Courses
- ACCTG 211 FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
- MET 435 HVAC
- B LAW 243 (4) or B LAW 242 and 241 (2) (2) LEGAL ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS
- CET 361 FLUID FLOW
- C E 321 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING
- C E 424 PROJECT INFORMATION MODELING
- C E 445 ADVANCED STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
- C E 449 ADVANCED STRUCTURAL DESIGN
- C E 456 PLANNING & SCHEDULING
- C E 458 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT II
- ENVE 415 HYDROLOGY
- ENVE 430 SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING
- EET 320 INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICITY and ELECTRONICS
- ET 495 INTERNSHIP
- E MCH 212/MET 321 DYNAMICS
- MET 435 BUILDING ENERGY SYSTEMS
- M E 201 INTRODUCTION TO THERMAL SCIENCE
- M E 300 ENGINEERING THERMODYNAMICS
- MGMT 301 BASIC MGMT CONCEPT
Career Paths
The SDCET program is designed to prepare students for careers in the highly specialized construction industry. It allows for flexible scheduling, enabling students to focus their specialization in either construction or design. Study through these options could lead to opportunities as structural designers for bridges, buildings, or other projects or as project managers for commercial construction projects. Career options may also be available in government for state and federal highway projects and with construction firms in the specialty areas of scheduling, estimating, and cost control. Finally, opportunities may exist for graduates to pursue opportunities as designers, owners, or contractor representatives.
Careers
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects excellent employment opportunities in the construction industry for the coming years. Penn State Harrisburg graduates in Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology have had impressive job placements in the last eight years.
Professional Resources
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology at Penn State Harrisburg is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Construction Engineering Technology and Similarly Named Programs.
Professional Licensure/Certification
Many U.S. states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.
Contact
Harrisburg
SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY
Olmsted Building, W236
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-4350
hpl5273@psu.edu