Geological Engineering

School of Mineral Engineering
Department of Mining and Geological Engineering
(907) 474-7388
www.uaf.edu/sme/GeolEng.html

B.S., M.S. Degrees

Minimum Requirements for Degree: 134 credits

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Geological engineering deals with the application of geology. Geological engineers work with the environment in the true sense of the word. Properties of earth materials exploration activities, geophysical and geochemical prospecting, site investigations and engineering geology are all phases of geological engineering.

The undergraduate and graduate programs prepare students for employment with industry, consulting companies and government agencies.

Major—B.S. Degree

  1. Complete the general university requirements.
  2. Complete the B.S. degree requirements.
  3. Complete the following program (major) requirements:*

    CHEM 105X—General Chemistry** 4 credits

    CHEM 106X—General Chemistry** 4 credits

    ES 201—Computer Techniques 3 credits

    ES 208—Mechanics 4 credits

    ES 331—Mechanics of Materials 3 credits

    ES 341—Fluid Mechanics 4 credits

    GE 101—Introduction to Geological Engineering 1 credit

    GE 261—General Geology for Engineers 3 credits

    GE 365—Geological Materials Engineering 3 credits

    GE 375—Principles of Engineering Geology and Terrain Analysis 3 credits

    GE 381W—Field Methods and Applied Design I 2 credits

    GE 382W—Field Methods and Applied Design II 4 credits

    GE 405—Exploration Geophysics 4 credits

    GE 420—Subsurface Hydrology 3 credits

    GE 471—Remote Sensing for Engineering 3 credits

    GE 480W—Senior Design 3 credits

    GEOS 213—Mineralogy 4 credits

    GEOS 214—Petrology and Petrography 4 credits

    GEOS 332—Ore Deposits and Structure 3 credits

    GEOS 421—Sedimentology 3 credits

    MATH 200X—Calculus** 4 credits

    MATH 201X—Calculus** 4 credits

    MATH 202X—Calculus** 4 credits

    MATH 302—Differential Equations 3 credits

    MIN 202—Mine Surveying 3 credits

    MIN 370—Rock Mechanics 3 credits

    MIN 408O—Mineral Valuation and Economics 3 credits

    PHYS 211X—General Physics** 4 credits

    PHYS 212X—General Physics** 4 credits

    STAT 200—Elementary Probability and Statistics 3 credits

    Technical electives*** 6 credits
  4. Minimum credits required 134

* Student must earn a C grade or better in each ES, GE, GEOS, MIN and technical elective courses.
** Satisfies core or B.S. degree requirements but not both.
*** Technical elective credits must contain engineering design and be selected by the student from a list of approved technical electives from the geological engineering program in conference with his or her advisor and approved by the department.
Note: Candidates for the B.S. degree in geological engineering are required to take a proficiency exam at the end of their sophomore year. They must also take a comprehensive exit exam in their general field before graduation (as well as the state of Alaska Fundamentals of Engineering examination). Fundamentals of Engineering examination is a first step toward registration as professional engineers.
Note: Students may initiate their geological engineering program in Anchorage and transfer to Fairbanks upon completion of the freshman and sophomore years. Students intending to transfer to UAF should communicate with a faculty member of the UAF mining and geological engineering department.