Geological Engineering, B.S.

Contact Information

Dr. Laurie Anderson
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Mineral Industries 303
(605) 394-2461
E-mail: Laurie.Anderson@sdsmt.edu

Faculty

Professors Davis and Stetler; Assistant Professors Katzenstein and Sawyer; Professor Emeritus Rahn.

Supporting Faculty

Professors Duke, Hladysz, Paterson, Price and Uzunlar; Associate Professor Masterlark; Adjunct Professors M. Anderson, Iles, Long and Roggenthen.

Geological Engineering

Geological engineering is the development and conservation of natural resources in ways useful to humankind. It encompasses diverse fields such as ground-water resources, subsurface contamination, slope stability, environmental site design, and mineral and petroleum exploration and production. Instruction in geological engineering provides training at both the undergraduate and graduate levels through the Ph.D.

Geological Engineering Program Objectives

The program educational objectives defined here describe the career and professional accomplishments that the geological engineering program is preparing graduates to achieve.

1. Graduates of the geological engineering program will perform competently in professional practice in the areas of:
   
   • ground water
   • environmental site planning and natural hazards
   • geomechanics and geotechnics
   • fuels or minerals
2. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to design and implement appropriate solutions to geological engineering problems, while exercising ethical responsibilities and continued professional development.

In support of these objectives, the program in geological engineering provides students with:

1. an understanding of the fundamental principles of geological engineering, basic engineering, and geology,
2. academic training and design experiences to prepare them for engineering practice and career advancement in the geological engineering profession during their first several years of work, and
3. an education that prepares them to pursue advanced studies if they so desire.

Geological Engineering Education

An integral part of the educational experience is development of the ability to design solutions for meeting desired needs in geological engineering work. The design component of the curriculum is developed within geological engineering courses that integrate basic science (including geology, chemistry, and physics) and engineering science (including statics, mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics, soil mechanics, and thermodynamics). This engineering design experience includes a two-semester capstone design sequence. The capstone engineering design courses build upon and integrate previous coursework to prepare graduates for the professional practice of geological engineering.

The nature of geological engineering is continually evolving as the needs of employers change in response to advances in technology and economic forces. To prepare adequately for careers in geological engineering, students must be willing to engage in life-long learning in order to embrace new technologies and to stay current within the engineering profession. Graduates with a broad range of skills, flexibility in learning new technologies, and sound training in fundamental principles can expect a competitive advantage in the job market and workplace.

The bachelor of science program in geological engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

A minor in geological engineering is not available.

Professional Development

Students in geological engineering are encouraged to participate in the Tech Geological Association as well as to become student members of the Association of Engineering Geologists (AEG), National Ground Water Association, the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME), and/or the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). Students are strongly encouraged to take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination, as the first step in becoming a registered professional engineer.