Doctor of Philosophy in Civil and Environmental Engineering - Geological Engineering

Geological engineering is an interdisciplinary program with faculty from the College of Engineering and the College of Letters and Science. Geological engineering integrates two disciplines: geology and engineering. Geologists study the earth, its origins, composition, and evolution. Engineers apply scientific principles to practical ends, such as the design and construction of facilities for practical use by society. Geological engineers find the best ways to use the earth’s resources to solve technical problems while protecting the environment.Geological engineers solve a variety of practical problems associated with rock and soils using principles of sustainable engineering. They design and construct structures, transportation facilities, dams, tunnels, and power plants. They mitigate naturally occurring phenomena such as floods, landslides, and earthquakes, and develop safe and environmentally sound sources of energy and minerals. They also manage groundwater and surface water resources to ensure the public safety and health. Geological engineers also design and construct subsurface repositories for waste disposal and remediate contaminated sites.

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution is required. International applicants must have a degree comparable to a regionally accredited U.S. bachelor’s degree. You must have completed your undergraduate degree, or similar, before starting graduate school. A minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on the equivalent of the last 60 credit hours (approximately two years of work) or a master’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required. The Graduate School will take into consideration different grade scales from institutions that do not have 4.00 scales (e.g., institutions outside the United States of America).