该部门的教学和研究计划分为四个计划重点领域：土木结构，航空航天和复合结构，SHM / NDE（结构健康监测/无损评估）和岩土工程。本科和研究生课程都具有与机械和航空航天工程，物理，数学，生物工程，化学，电气和计算机工程，计算机科学与工程，材料科学课程以及相关校园学院等部门的牢固的跨学科关系。地球物理与行星物理研究所，纯粹与应用物理科学研究所，生物医学工程研究所，先进材料卓越中心，加利福尼亚航天研究所，Calit2的高通研究所以及斯克里普斯海洋研究所。<br> <br>结构工程系提供了独特的工程计划，该计划
The programs and curricula of the Department of Structural Engineering have been specifically developed to educate and train engineers using a holistic approach to structural systems engineering by emphasizing and building on the commonality of engineering structures in materials, mechanics, analysis, and design across the engineering disciplines of aerospace, civil, marine, and mechanical engineering.<br><br>All Structural Engineering programs of study have strong components in laboratory experimentation, numerical computation, and engineering design. Design is emphasized throughout the curricula by open-ended homework problems, by laboratory and computer courses that include student-initiated projects, and finally by senior design project courses which involve teams of students working to solve engineering design problems brought in from industry. The Structural Engineering programs are designed to prepare students receiving bachelor's degrees for professional careers or for graduate education in their area of specialization. In addition, the programs can also be taken by students who intend to use their undergraduate engineering education as preparation for postgraduate professional training in non-technical fields such as business administration, law, or medicine.