Geological Engineering has been described as the application of the principles of geology to the solutions of problems in engineering practice. Since this application requires a background in both geology and engineering, geological engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla includes a broad range of geologic science and engineering courses.

A unique advantage of the program is that upon graduation, geological engineering majors may start the process toward becoming registered as professional engineers as well as toward becoming registered as professional geologists.

The Geological Engineering curriculum at UMR is an accredited engineering program, and therefore includes all the basic science, engineering science and design courses required for an engineering degree. Since a strong background in the principles of geology is required for all geological engineering activities, the curriculum has been developed to provide comprehensive study of the basic, as well as the applied geology courses.

The engineering requirements are fulfilled through courses that emphasize the physical properties and behavior of materials and the development of problem solving and design skills.

In addition, the program provides flexibility in the senior year so that the student may modify the general program of study to select a sequence of technical elective courses specifically related to either the environmental protection, natural resource development or civil works.

In this capacity the student has the opportunity to develop the program of study that is most appropriately oriented toward the field of specialization that you have chosen for your professional career. Since geological engineering is a field oriented profession, the curriculum also includes a geologic field methods course. This course, held in Utah each summer, provides the student with practical experience in geologic field methods, mapping and evaluation of the geologic environment for engineering purposes.

Geological Engineering at UMR has an excellent reputation and the program has been nationally recognized for the quality of its graduates. In a recent evaluation of engineering programs (the 1993 Gourman Report), Geological Engineering at UMR was ranked second in the nation and was the highest ranked engineering program within the University of Missouri System. Important factors leading to this ranking are the excellent professional reputation of the faculty, the small size of the department (seven faculty and 100 undergraduates) and a curriculum developed to allow students to select technical electives that reflect their own professional interests and career objectives.

The effectiveness of the commitment the department has to its undergraduate program is documented by the fact that geological engineering has one of the highest retention rates on the UMR campus.

Career Opportunities Back to top

Graduate Geological Engineers have developed expertise in both geology and engineering, thus a wide range of employment opportunities are available. For example, geological engineers have extensive responsibilities in environmental protection. They are responsible for the investigations required for the clean-up of existing superfund sites and for conducting the studies necessary to locate and design facilities to prevent future environmental contamination. In addition however, other types of activities requiring geological engineering are the location, site exploration, and design of major civil works such as dams, tunnels, buildings and power plants as well as the exploration for and development of groundwater, metallic ores, energy fuels and other natural resources.

A career in geological engineering also provides an opportunity to emphasize field, laboratory or office work. Field work involves mapping and evaluation of surface and subsurface rocks and soils, investigating the flow of subsurface fluids and conducting programs for on-site testing. Typical laboratory projects include testing of the physical properties of sampled materials, developing physical models and conducting geotechnical or geohydrological research programs. Office work often requires computer modeling of geological processes, analysis of geologic hazards and participation in the planning, design, and construction of engineering projects. This wide range of professional activities in which geological engineers participate provides the geological engineering student with a variety of career paths to choose from upon graduation.

As a profession devoted to environmental protection, natural resource development and the construction of civil works, Geological Engineering offers challenging opportunities. Engineers with expertise in the application of the principles of geology to the solution of problems in engineering practice may anticipate an exciting professional career.

Application to the Program Back to top

If you have an interest in natural science, if you want the opportunities associated with engineering, if you would like to participate in a challenging and rewarding profession, then Geological Engineering may be exactly the academic program you are looking for.

An additional point to consider is that one of the most positive aspects of the Geological Engineering program at UMR is the strong support that alumni provide to assist in attracting and graduating high quality students. The result of their support is a scholarship program, administered by the department, which is used to provide financial assistance specifically to freshman and transfer students entering geological engineering. These Introductory Scholarships awards are based on a variety of achievements and participation across a broad range of activities, not just academics. In addition to our Introductory Scholarships other financial assistance supplemental to that provided by the University also is available through tuition fee waivers and through scholarships provided to the department by industry.

If you would like to know more about the profession of geological engineering, if you would like additional information about the program at UMR or if you would like a scholarship application form, please contact:

Dr. Jeff Cawlfield
Professor and Head of Geological Engineering
129 McNutt Hall
Rolla, MO 65409-0239
ph: 573-341-4557
e-mail: jdc@umr.edu
fax: 573-341-6935

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Curriculum Back to top

Freshman Engineering

All freshman desiring to study engineering at UMR are initially admitted into the Freshman Engineering Program. Students desiring a geological engineering major thus complete a set of required courses common to all engineering fields prior to applying for admission as a degree candidate in the department. These courses are:

Math 8 and 21
Chem 1, 2, 3 and 4
English 20
Humanities and Social Sciences (2 courses)
Physics 23
Freshman Engineering 5 and 15
Earth Mechanics and Technical Electives

The earth mechanics and technical electives provide the student with an opportunity to develop a plan of study that reflects their personal interests and professional goals. The courses most commonly selected include:

GeE 315 Statistical Applications in Environmental Geology
GeE 335 Environmental Geology
GeE 337 Geological Aspects of Hazardous Waste Management
GeE 346 Applications of Geographic Information Systems
GeE 349 Computer Applications in Geological Engineering
GeE 353 Regional Geological Engineering Studies
GeE 371 Rock Engineering
GeE 372 Soil Science in Engineering Practice
GeE 381 Geomechanics of Porous Media
CE 215 Soil Mechanics
CE 229 Foundation Engineering
CE 261 Introduction to Environmental Engineering
CE 314 Geotechnical Aspects of Waste Management
CE 315 Intermediate Soil Mechanics
Min 231 Rock Mechanics
Min 221 Mining Exploration
Min 307 Explosives Engineering
Min 345 Strata Control
PeE 232 Well Logging
PeE 241 Petroleum Reservoir Engineering
Geol 281 Geodynamics
Geol 285 Geophysical Imagery
Geol 340 Petroleum Geology
Geol 382 Mining and Exploration Geophysics
Geol 385 Exploration and Development Seismology
Geol 389 Engineering Seismology

GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING CURRICULUM 3/96

a Or EG10 - Engr. Graphics, if Comp Sci courses elected in Freshman Year.

b Or Geol 113 and 130

c The sequence of course selection must provide from both breadth and depth of content and must be selected from the list of approved Humanities/Social Science Electives available from your advisor. The department requires a total of 18 hours of humanities and social science courses.

d To be selected from CE 241, Eng Mgt 208, or Pet 257.

e Must be selected from GeE 340, 371, 381, Min 231, Petr 141, or CE 215, 229, 315.

f To be selected from advanced courses in geological, mining, petroleum or civil engineering, geology or other courses in the School of Mines and Metallurgy and School of Engineering with approval of your advisor. Must contain design content and must be selected from the list of Approved Technical Electives available from your advisor.

The total number of credit hours required for a degree in Geological Engineering is 138. The assumption is made that a student admitted to the Department has completed 35 hours toward graduation to fulfill the requirements of the Freshman Engineering Program.