Geological Engineering

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

BS, MS Degrees

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Minimum Requirements for Degree: 133 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:

  • Graduates who are employed in one of the following professional areas: mineral and energy exploration and development; geotechnical engineering; groundwater engineering; or geo-environmental engineering.
  • Graduates will possess technical knowledge required to meet the unique challenges of geological engineering problems germane to cold regions, especially Alaska.
  • 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://cem.uaf.edu/mingeo/abet/.

Major -- BS Degree

  1. Complete the general university requirements. As part of the core curriculum requirements, complete: MATH F200X*, CHEM F105X* and CHEM F106X*.
  2. Complete the BS degree requirements. As part of the BS degree requirements, complete: MATH F201X*, PHYS F211X* and PHYS F212X*.
  3. Complete the following program (major) requirements:*
    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 F371--Remote Sensing for 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 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 F202X--Calculus III--4 credits
    MATH F302--Differential Equations--3 credits
    MIN F202--Mine Surveying--3 credits
    MIN F225--Quantitative Methods in Mining Engineering--2 credits
    MIN F370--Rock Mechanics--3 credits
    MIN F408O--Mineral Valuation and Economics--3 credits
    Technical electives**--6 credits
    Highly recommended technical electives:
    CE F341--Environmental Engineering--4 credits
    CE F344--Water Resources Engineering--3 credits
    CE F422--Foundation Engineering--3 credits
    CE F424--Introduction to Permafrost Engineering--3 credits
    CE F442--Environmental Engineering Design--3 credits
    CE F603--Arctic Engineering--3 credits
    ESM F422--Engineering Design--3 credits
    GE F322--Erosion Mechanics and Conservation--3 credits
    GE F376--GIS Applications in Geological and Environmental Engineering --3 credits
    GE F384--Engineering Geology of Alaska--4 credits
    GE F400--Geological Engineering Internship--1 - 3 credits
    GE F422--Soil Physics--3 credits
    GE F430--Geomechancial Instrumentation--3 credits
    GE F435--Exploration Design--3 credits
    GE F440--Slope Stability--3 credits
    GE F441--Geohazard Analysis--3 credits
    GE F445--Design of Earth Dams and Embankments--3 credits
    MIN F443--Principles and Applications of Industrial Explosives--3 credits
    MIN F482--Computer-Aided Mine Design -- VULCAN--3 credits
    NRM F435--GIS Analysis--4 credits
    PETE F302--Well Logging--3 credits
    PETE F407--Petroleum Production Engineering--3 credits
    PETE F426--Drilling Engineering--3 credits
  4. Minimum credits required--133 credits

* Students must earn a C- grade or better in each of these courses.

** Technical elective credits must contain engineering design and be selected by the student from the 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 BS 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.