Geological Engineering

College of Engineering and Mines
Department of Mining and Geological Engineering
907-474-7388
http://cem.uaf.edu/mingeo/

B.S., M.S. Degrees

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Minimum Requirements for Degree: 134 credits

The mission of the geological engineering program is to advance and disseminate knowledge related to mineral and energy exploration, evaluation, development and production; engineering site selection, construction and construction material production; and groundwater and geo-environmental engineering including geologic hazards assessment, through creative teaching, research and public service with an emphasis on Alaska, the North and its diverse peoples.

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

The program prepares students for employment with industry, consulting companies and government agencies.

The educational objectives of the geological engineering program are to produce:

  1. Graduates who are employable in one of the following professional areas: mineral and energy exploration and development; geotechnical engineering; groundwater engineering; or geo-environmental engineering.
  2. Graduates will possess technical knowledge required to meet the unique challenges of geological engineering problems germane to cold regions, especially Alaska.
  3. Graduates will pursue life-long learning through continuing education opportunities, professional registration/certification, and/or graduate studies.

For more information about the Geological Engineering Program mission, goals and educational objectives, visit http://ge.uaf.edu.

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 F105X--General Chemistry**--4 credits
    CHEM F106X--General Chemistry**--4 credits
    ES F201--Computer Techniques--3 credits
    ES F208--Mechanics--4 credits
    ES F331--Mechanics of Materials--3 credits
    ES F341--Fluid Mechanics--4 credits
    GE F101--Introduction to Geological Engineering--1 credit
    GE F261--General Geology for Engineers--3 credits
    GE F365--Geological Materials Engineering--3 credits
    GE F375--Principles of Engineering Geology and Terrain Analysis--3 credits
    GE F381W--Field Methods and Applied Design I--2 credits
    GE F382W--Field Methods and Applied Design II--4 credits
    GE F405--Exploration Geophysics--3 credits
    GE F420--Subsurface Hydrology--3 credits
    GE F471--Remote Sensing for Engineering--3 credits
    GE F480W--Senior Design--3 credits
    GEOS F213--Mineralogy--4 credits
    GEOS F214--Petrology and Petrography--4 credits
    GEOS F322--Stratigraphy and Sedimentation--4 credits
    GEOS F332--Ore Deposits and Structure--3 credits
    MATH F200X--Calculus I**--4 credits
    MATH F201X--Calculus II**--4 credits
    MATH F202X--Calculus III**--4 credits
    MATH F302--Differential Equations--3 credits
    MIN F202--Mine Surveying--3 credits
    MIN F370--Rock Mechanics--3 credits
    MIN F408O--Mineral Valuation and Economics--3 credits
    PHYS F211X--General Physics**--4 credits
    PHYS F212X--General Physics**--4 credits
    STAT F200X--Elementary Probability and Statistics--3 credits
    Technical electives***--6 credits
  4. Minimum credits required--134 credits

* Students must earn a C grade (2.0) 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 the state of Alaska Fundamentals of Engineering examination, which 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.