Geological Engineering, BS

Geological engineering integrates two disciplines—geology and engineering. Geologists study the earth—its origins, its composition, and its evolution. Engineers apply scientific principles to practical ends, such as the design and construction of facilities for practical use by society. Geological engineering is interdisciplinary with faculty from the College of Engineering and the College of Letters & Science.Geological engineers find the best way to use the earth's resources to solve technical problems 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 structures, transportation facilities, dams, tunnels, and power plants. They mitigate naturally occurring phenomena 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.Students pursuing the B.S. degree are encouraged to obtain an additional major in geoscience. The B.S. program is set up so that students can obtain a degree in geological engineering and an additional major in geoscience in a single 125-credit program. No extra credits are required to obtain the additional major in geoscience. The B.S. degree in geological engineering is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET), which is required to obtain a professional engineering license.

Facilities

The Geological Engineering Program utilizes laboratories that are shared with other departments. They include:Land Information and Surveying Laboratories
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory
Materials Testing Laboratory
Geology and Hydrogeology Laboratories
Rock Mechanics Laboratory
Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Laboratories
The Halliburton Geoscience Visualization Center