Geology, Geological Engineering, and Mining Engineering: Geological Engineering Specialization, PhD

Distribution of credits

Geological Engineering Specialization

Core requirements: 1 credits
Research requirements: 36 credits
Elective requirements: 35 credits
Total credits: 72

At least 36 of the required 72 credits must be taken at the 600-level or above.

Students may apply 24 coursework credits and 6 research credits from a previous MS degree toward the PhD requirements, subject to approval by the student’s committee.

Core requirements

• GEOE 700 Developing and Planning Research Credits: (1-0) 1 *

• *Required in the first fall semester of enrollment.

Research requirements

The completion of a doctoral dissertation, approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee and the Dean of Graduate Education, is required for this degree.

• GEOE 898D Dissertation  Credit to be arranged**

**Thirty-six (36) credit hours of GEOE 898D are required. No more than 36 credits of 898D may be counted toward the degree.

Elective requirements

The candidate’s committee is responsible for assisting the student in developing a program of study that prepares the student for their intended field as well as provides general knowledge for the discipline.

All PhD students in the Geological Engineering specialization are expected to focus in one of the three areas of groundwater/environmental, geomechanics, or energy/mineral resources. A total of 35 elective credits are required. At least eighteen (18) credits of electives with a GEOL/GEOE/PALE prefix and at least seventeen (17) credits of additional GEOL/GEOE/PALE or other electives are required.

It is recommended that six (6) to twelve (12) hours of coursework be taken outside the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering.

Examinations

When the student has substantially completed the required 36 credits of coursework for the PhD, and before work on the dissertation research commences in earnest, the student must complete a combined examination composed of two parts: a qualifying examination and a comprehensive examination. After successful completion of both exams, the student will be admitted to PhD candidacy. Detailed information on both examinations is outlined in the Geology and Geological Engineering Graduate Handbook and in the Graduate Education Policies GEP VIII. Ph.D. Degree Requirements . 

If the student has not completed all requirements for the PhD degree by the fifth year following the comprehensive examination, his/her active candidacy status will be automatically terminated, and the comprehensive examination must be repeated.

Additional requirements

Any physical specimens (and associated documentation) collected, prepared, and cited in a thesis or dissertation are to be deposited in the Museum of Geology as part of the student’s work. Guidelines and forms are available.

In addition to these degree-specific requirements, the student must also meet the requirements and policies applied to all graduate degrees  by the Council of Graduate Education.

Objectives and Outcomes

Student Outcomes:

1. Demonstrates knowledge of concepts and terminology of the discipline
2. Critically explores and evaluates scientific and technical literature
3. Analyzes, interprets, and evaluates scientific and/or engineering data and methods
4. Communicates effectively
5. Acts professionally and ethically
6. Impacts the Profession