Program Overview
Geological engineering combines geology and engineering to address engineering challenges while protecting the environment. Students learn to design and construct underground systems, mitigate natural hazards, and develop sustainable energy sources. The program is accredited by ABET and offers a dual major in Geological Engineering and Geology. Graduates find careers in various industries, including energy, mining, environmental protection, and infrastructure development.
Program Outline
Outline:
Content:
Geological engineering integrates geology and engineering to address engineering challenges while protecting the environment. Students solve practical problems associated with rock and soils using principles of sustainable engineering. They design and construct underground and foundation systems, transportation facilities, dams, tunnels, and power plants. They mitigate natural hazards such as floods, landslides, and earthquakes, and develop safe and environmentally sound sources of energy and minerals. Geological engineers also manage groundwater and surface water resources to ensure the public has access to safe drinking water. They also design and construct subsurface repositories for waste disposal and remediate contaminated sites.
Structure:
The geological engineering curriculum allows students to obtain a dual major in Geological Engineering and Geology with no required extra course work. The B.S. degree in geological engineering is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Course Schedule:
First Year
- Fall: MATH 221, CHEM 109, EMA 201, GEOSCI 100 or 106, Communication A, GLE 171
- Spring: MATH 222, EMA 202, EMA 303, GEOSCI 204, GEOSCI 202, GEOSCI 360, GEOSCI 370, CIV ENGR 291
Second Year
- Fall: MATH 234, CIV ENGR 310, PHYSICS 202 or 208, GEOSCI 455, Liberal Studies Elective
- Spring: STAT 324 or 311, Technical Elective, Technical Elective, Professional Issues, CIV ENGR 330, GLE 474, GLE 431
Third Year
- Fall: Technical Elective, Technical Elective, CIV ENGR 430, GLE 479, GLE 594, Liberal Studies Elective, INTEREGR 397
- Spring: EPD 275, COM ARTS 105, COM ARTS 181, COM ARTS 262, or COM ARTS 266, GLE 595, GLE 627, I SY E 313, Technical Elective
Fourth Year
- Fall: Ethnic Studies, GLE 479, Liberal Studies Elective, Technical Elective (design)
- Spring: GLE 594, GLE 595, GLE 627, Technical Elective, Technical Elective (design)
Individual Modules:
- Energy, Minerals & Mining: Renewable Energy Systems, Special Topics in Chemical Engineering (Topic: Energy & Sustainability), An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, Practicum in Finite Elements, Energy Resources, Conducted Field Trip, Field Geology, Principles of Economic Geology, Special Topics in Geological Engineering (D), Introduction to Slope Stability and Earth Retention (D), Introduction to Underground Openings Engineering (D), Seepage and Slopes (D), Wind Energy Balance-of-Plant Design (D), Advanced Rock Mechanics, Special Topics in Geological Engineering (Topic: Geomechanics)
- Sustainability & Environment: Renewable Energy Systems, Special Topics in Chemical Engineering (Topic: Energy & Sustainability), Environmental Engineering, Environmental Sustainability Engineering, Solid and Hazardous Wastes Engineering (D), Hazardous Waste Management, Special Topics in Hydrology, Special Topics in Structural Engineering (Topic: Sustainable Construction), Energy Resources, Contaminant Hydrogeology (D), Special Topics in Geological Engineering (D), Remediation Geotechnics (D), Unsaturated Soil Geoengineering, Soils and Environmental Chemistry, Soils and Environmental Quality
- Geohazards: An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, Coastal Engineering (D), Practicum in Finite Elements, Geomorphology, Landforms-Topics and Regions, Introduction to Geophysics: The Dynamic Earth, Field Geology, Introduction to Slope Stability and Earth Retention (D), Practical Applications of GPS Surveying, Seepage and Slopes (D), Soil Dynamics (D)
Careers:
Geological engineers find responsible ways to use the Earth's resources to address engineering challenges while protecting the environment. They solve a variety of practical problems associated with rock and soils using principles of sustainable engineering. They design and construct underground and foundation systems, transportation facilities, dams, tunnels, and power plants. They mitigate natural hazards such as floods, landslides, and earthquakes, and develop safe and environmentally sound sources of energy and minerals. Geological engineers also manage groundwater and surface water resources to ensure the public has access to safe drinking water. They also design and construct subsurface repositories for waste disposal and remediate contaminated sites.
