IABSE Diploma: General Rules and Organization

Version 03

Introduction

The IABSE Diploma is a new e-learning program developed by the IABSE Academy Board. It is designed to serve as a bridge between university and practice, offering both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in structural engineering to help students and practitioners excel in their careers.

The Diploma is open to young engineers, graduate students, and practicing engineers seeking to expand their knowledge of structural engineering.

All Diploma activities are delivered virtually. Lessons are pre-recorded, and web meetings are reserved for thesis tutoring and discussion, allowing participants to complete the program during their spare time without interrupting professional commitments.

Instructors, tutors, and commission members are internationally recognized experts, many of whom have designed landmark structures or participated in major failure investigations.

The IABSE Diploma is offered across multiple Curricula.

Student Activities

To join a specific Curriculum, students must pass an admission exam consisting of a multiple-choice questionnaire with one correct answer per question.

To earn the Diploma, a student must:

• Watch all lessons (pre-recorded and organized into modules).
• Pass module exams.
• Complete a final thesis along with a pre-recorded presentation (max 20 minutes).
• Defend the thesis in a web discussion (max 30 minutes) with a dedicated commission.

If the student fails to complete the program within the allowed timeframe, re-application is required. For fee-based Diplomas, the fee must be repaid. For free Diplomas, re-application is allowed after one year.

Lessons

• Before each lesson, students can download a PDF of the slides.
• Lessons pause approximately every 15 minutes to verify attentiveness through a simple question.
• Fast-forwarding is disabled on the first watch but allowed on replays. Pause and rewind are always available.
• Completion of a lesson and its associated questionnaire unlocks the next lesson.
• Students may re-watch completed lessons anytime and adjust playback speed between 1x and 1.5x.

Admission Questionnaire

1. Students must pass a multiple-choice test to be admitted to a Curriculum.
2. The test ensures students have sufficient prior knowledge.
3. The test consists of 5 questions; each has 4 possible answers (a–d) with one correct answer. A minimum of 3 correct answers is required within 40 minutes.
4. If the student fails, they can retry only after 3 months.
5. Each new attempt uses a different set of questions.
6. Questions are independent of each other.
7. Each test is designed to be solvable by a middle-level student within the allotted time.
8. Questions may require simple calculations, for which a basic scientific calculator suffices.

Lesson Questionnaire

1. Students must pass a quiz after each lesson (or after each module for the last module).
2. Each quiz consists of 5 questions with 4 answer options. A minimum of 3 correct answers is needed within 25 minutes.
3. If failed, the student must re-watch the relevant content.
4. Up to 3 attempts are allowed per lesson/module, with different questions for each attempt.
5. Failing the 3rd attempt requires re-watching all lessons from the beginning and reattempting the tests.
6. Failing the 3rd attempt twice results in failing the Diploma. The student must re-apply. If fee-based, the fee is repaid; if free, re-application is allowed after one year.
7. Questions are independent and relate only to the relevant lecture or module.
8. Each question is designed to be answerable in 5 minutes by a middle-level student.
9. Some questions may involve simple exercises solvable with a basic calculator.

Thesis

The thesis is a substantial assignment reflecting knowledge gained throughout the program. It typically consists of:

• Critical analysis of a case study
• Conceptual design of a structural member
• Application of multiple methodologies for assessment or design

Word count: 1,500–3,000 words. The thesis must be written using the SEI journal article template.

Each student will be assigned a thesis tutor by the Curriculum Board. Tutor meetings are limited to 3 hours in total and conducted online.

The thesis topic is proposed by the student and assigned by the Curriculum Board. A topic list is available for guidance.

Work on the thesis can begin after lessons are completed or during the course, depending on feasibility. A Thesis Commission composed of two experts will assess the final submission.

Final Mark of the Diploma

Final grades are calculated as follows:

• Q: Questionnaire score — percentage of correct answers on final attempts.
• T: Thesis score (0-100), graded by the Thesis Commission:
  0-39: Poor, 40-59: Below average, 60-69: Average, 70-79: Above average, 80-89: High level, 90-100: Very high level
• F: Final mark formula:
  F = 0.7 * Q + 0.3 * T
  Rounded up to the nearest whole number.

If F is below 60, the student fails and must re-apply. For fee-based Diplomas, the fee is due again. For free Diplomas, re-application is allowed after one year.

Benefits to the Graduates

• Certificate of completion signed by the IABSE President, including course details and final mark.
• Name listed on the official IABSE Graduates webpage.
• Recognition in SEI publications and IABSE newsletters.
• Graduate names shared with companies connected to IABSE.
• Thesis and pre-recorded presentation published on the IABSE website (if the final mark is 60 or above).

Copyrights

• Instructors retain copyright of their lessons. IABSE holds the right to use slides and recordings for the Diploma and similar educational initiatives, and to distribute PDF slides to students.
• Students retain copyright of their thesis and pre-recorded presentation. IABSE holds the right to use and publish them for Diploma-related activities, including on its website, newsletters, and SEI.