Structural Engineering and Coastal Hazards

Starting Fall 2025

Have you ever wondered how engineers design buildings and bridges that can withstand hurricanes, flooding, and storm surges? Are you ready to tackle the challenges of protecting Louisiana’s and others coastal communities from extreme weather events? A Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering with a Structural Engineering and Coastal Hazards concentration is the perfect path to pursue.

This program equips students with the skills to address hazards, from designing hurricane-resistant structures to protecting beaches and reducing erosion. With growing national attention on infrastructure resilience and billions of dollars allocated to rebuilding critical systems, this concentration prepares you to lead in one of the most in-demand and impactful fields of engineering.

The State of Louisiana is focusing on improving roads, bridges, and highways, emphasizing resilience against natural hazards like hurricanes, flooding, and heavy winds. This creates an urgent need for engineers with specialized expertise in designing infrastructure for extreme conditions.

Employment of civil engineers is projected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth translates to about 22,900 openings for civil engineers each year. The median annual wage for civil engineering occupations is $95,890. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Engineers with expertise in coastal systems and hazard mitigation are in greater demand in coastal states like Louisiana, Texas, and Florida.

Curriculum Highlights

This concentration builds on the civil engineering curriculum, offering targeted coursework and hands-on experience to prepare students for in-demand structural engineering and coastal hazards roles. It equips students to address critical infrastructure and societal challenges, preparing them to design and construct resilient systems like buildings, bridges, and coastal structures.

Students in the Structural Engineering and Coastal Hazards concentration will complete a combination of foundational and advanced courses, research opportunities, and a capstone project to hone their expertise. Graduates will be well-positioned for careers in civil and structural engineering, contributing to the economic and environmental resilience of Louisiana and beyond.

Topics could include:

• Structural Analysis I
• Structural Mechanics II
• Steel Design
• Design of Resilient Structures
• Bridge Design
• Wind Engineering and Coastal Hazards
• Coastal Hydrology
• Reinforced Concrete Design
• Construction Engineering
• Senior Design, with a focus on Structural Engineering

Civil Engineering students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and research opportunities in areas like beach protection, erosion control, marine renewable energy, and hazard mitigation. These experiences enable students to apply their knowledge to real-world problems and contribute innovative solutions to challenges faced by coastal communities.

Enroll in the Structural Engineering and Coastal Hazards concentration and position yourself as a leader in this critical and evolving sector and secure a thriving career.

For more information:

Email Dr. Jamal Khattak, Interim Department Head, at mohammad.khattak@louisiana.edu or contact your advisor.