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

Contact Information

Dr. Robert Hall, Department Head
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Nucor MI 320
(605) 394-2461
E-mail: Robert.Hall@sdsmt.edu

Department Website

Students are responsible for checking with their advisors for any program modifications that may occur after the publication of this catalog.

PhD in Geology, Geological Engineering, and Mining Engineering - Geological Engineering Specialization

Students must elect to pursue a specialization in Geology , Geological Engineering, or Mining Engineering . Each specialization has different background and program requirements.

Degree requirements

Distribution of credits

Geological Engineering Specialization

Core requirements: 1 credit
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 *
*Required in the first fall semester of enrollment.

Research requirements

The completion of a doctoral dissertation, approved by the student’s graduate 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

Detailed information on PhD examinations is outlined in the Geology and Geological Engineering Graduate Handbook and in the Graduate Education Policies GEP VIII. Ph.D. Degree Requirements .

Qualifying examination

The qualifying examination has two components to demonstrate the student’s aptitude for doctoral work: 1) proficiency in the foundational material of the discipline and 2) necessary skills and drive for advanced research. The format and timing of the examination are set by each program, but it must be completed within the first two years of study.

Admission to candidacy

PhD students must prepare a dissertation prospectus, which is a plan describing the proposed content and format of the dissertation in sufficient detail for the student’s graduate committee to evaluate whether the scope and value of the work warrants a PhD degree. The student is admitted to candidacy upon approval of the prospectus by the committee. The format and timing of the prospectus is set by each program, but it must be completed no later than two years after the qualifying exam.

Dissertation defense

A dissertation defense and a final oral examination are required for this degree.

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:

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