Geological Engineering
Geological Engineers

Geological engineering is the professional discipline that relies on the use of geologic conditions and implications for: (1) the design and construction of civil and mining projects, (2) the evaluation and mitigation of natural and human-caused geologic hazards, and (3) the exploration and development of mineral and energy resources.

Prerequisite Courses:
The following courses are considered to be the minimum preparation necessary for admission to the Geological Engineering Master of Science degree program. Students who do not have an adequate background in these subject areas will be required to satisfactorily complete those in which they are deficient. Credit for such courses cannot be counted toward the total credits required for the M.S. degree. These courses are usually taken on a pass/fail basis. The deficiency courses are generally worked out with the student's major professor during planning of the student's master's degree program. The actual course content of the program will depend on the student's background and career objectives. Each program is tailored to the individual student. Courses marked with an * may be available through Engineering Outreach.

Required Deficiency Courses:
Engr 210* Engineering Statics
Engr 220* Engineering Dynamics
Engr 335* Engineering Fluid Mechanics
Engr 350* Engineering Mechanics of Materials
Geol 101 Physical Geology
Geol 345 Structural Geology
Mathematics* Mathematics through Differential Equations varies
Recommended Preparatory Courses
Civil Engineering Basic Soil Mechanics varies
Engr 360* Engineering Economy

Master of Science (M.S.) degree:
Graduate students enrolled in this program take a combination of courses in such areas as geological engineering, civil engineering (soil mechanics), hydrogeology, and site characterization. The degree requires a minimum of 30 semester credits beyond the baccalaureate degree. Of those 30 credits, at least 18 must be from 500-level graduate courses. The degree program is available with a thesis option and a non-thesis option. The thesis option requires 6 credits of thesis work approved by faculty who serve on the student’s graduate committee. The non-thesis option is available to students who have at least two years of professional experience; this program requires a 3-credit directed study research paper and a final oral examination.

Suggested Geological Engineering courses:
GeoE 407 Rock mechanics
GeoE 420 Erosion and Sediment Control
GeoE 428 Geostatisitics
GeoE 436 Geological Eng. Analysis and Design
GeoE 465 Excavation and Material Handling
GeoE 517 Tunnel Design and Construction
GeoE 528 Advanced Topics in Geological Eng.
GeoE 535 Seepage and Earth Dams
GeoE 540 Stochastic Geotechnology

Academic Minor Requirements:
This minor is designed to give undergraduate engineering majors a sufficient background in aspects of geological engineering to enhance their education in geotechnology and improve their employment prospects in the geotechnical, environmental, construction, and minerals production sectors.

CE 360 Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering
CE 460 Geotechnical Engineering Design
Geol 111 Physical Geology for Science Majors
Geol 345 Structural Geology
Geol 422 Principles of Geophysics
GeoE 407 Rock Mechanics
GeoE 436 Geological Engineering Analysis and Design
Hydr 409 Quantitative Hydrogeology

** Approved technical elective in the geotechnics area (3 cr)

Applied Geotechnics Certificate

For additional information regarding studies in geological engineering, contact Dr. Stan Miller or
Dr. SJ Jung.

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