Engineering Geology Degree

As a science, engineering geology is the practical application of methods and principles of the geology itself to the purposes of civil engineering projects. Geotechnical engineers are those who have a first degree in civil engineering, and engineering geologists are those who have a first degree in geology, and they work closely together to form a comprehensive ground engineering team for the construction , design, and investigationof major infrastructure projects.

Very often the engineering geologists are involved in the study of:

• Excavations for cuttings
• Raw materials
• Foundations for buildings
• Assessing the stability of man-made and natural slopes
• the Stability and construction of mines and tunnels
• the Construction of dams and embankments
• the Location of building stone and aggregates
• the Disposal and containment of waste materials.

Since the twentieth century, engineering geology has become increasingly scientific as the impact of ground conditions on modern projects has been realized and the use of rock and natural soil as the construction materials understood. On Earth, ground conditions are extremely variable but may nearly always be accommodated by engineering design, of course, provided by the fact that they are correctly understood and assessed. Nowadays the engineering geology is firmly established within the curriculum of civil engineering degree courses, applied geology, and geology itself.

Engineering geology as a Science

Engineering Geology

Engineering geologists are scientists, who have studied geology and are now applying this education to assuring that natural geological factors are accounted for when planning for developed site or a new building. Getting this done is an important job, because it makes certain that the planned building won’t have an overly negative impact on the surrounding area.

However, the engineering geologist at the same time decides whether there are any geological concerns in the building area, which may affect the structural soundness of the building itself.

For the majority of specialists in this area the most common degree to have is a bachelor of science degree in geology. The four-year program is designed to prepare a geologist for his future career, generally giving him plenty of hands-on work at the same time. An engineering geologist may work in any number of specialties after graduation.

At this time there are no options for pursuing an online degree in geology. At the same time, those, who are interested in both engineering and geology may wish to consider studying geotechnical engineering. There are online master’s degrees, even though in-person degrees are far more prevalent.

Geotechnical Engineering Master’s Degree Program

Acceptance into the master’s program requires a bachelor’s degree in engeneering geology, or other related fields. Usually the students who don’t have an appropriate undergraduate background are asked to take some or other additional classes before they are accepted. Students should expect a heavy mix of science and math courses with a focus on engineering and geology. Graduates tend to look for employment as geotechnical engineers after obtaining this degree.

This master’s degree generally takes about two full-time years of study to complete. Since this program can be taken online, it doesn’t usually require a thesis to be written to complete it.

Engineering Geology Degree Coursework

Students obtaining the engineering geology degree get to take a large amount of classes with either a science or mathematics core. Emphases are placed on engineering management, engineering design, computer applications and control systems coursework.

• Control Systems Engineering Course – This is an introductory course, which teaches the basic principles behind developing PLCor a practical control system. Coursework discusses topics in basic electronic parts recognition, including fractional horsepower and motors sensors. Programming methods for PLCs and microprocessors are discussed as well.
• Structural Steel Design Course – Getting structural mechanics class is a prerequisite for this course. This discipline focuses on designing steel structures, including connections and beams. Students learn the load and resistance factor design method and utilized it in a group project, which involves designing a low-rise office building.
• Geosynthetics Engineering Course – This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge, which is needed to apply appropriate geosynthetics alternatives to engineering projects. Students learn methods of sediment and controlling erosion. In addition, course topics include applying geosynthetics to pavement systems, steep slope stability, embankments, and landfill covers and bases.