Graduate Degrees

Master of Science and Doctorate of Philosophy in Geological Engineering

Our graduate program features advanced coursework coupled with cutting-edge research.

Graduate students in geological engineering work on cutting-edge applied research projects that target problems of local, regional and often global significance. Recent graduates have worked on projects ranging from applications in space mining, water resources, drone technologies, to engineering geophysics.

Geological engineering is the application of the knowledge and principles of geology to the solution of problems in engineering practice. These applications include the evaluation of geological conditions for environmental protection studies, for groundwater resource and pollution investigations, for mineral and energy development, for site selection of civil works facilities, and for land use and environmental impact analysis. The master’s degree can be earned with a thesis or a non-thesis option. The Ph.D. degree requires a detailed dissertation and publication of original works.

The department of geosciences and geological and petroleum engineering is home to three separate programs: geological engineering, geology and geophysics, and petroleum engineering. Geotechnics is a part of the geological engineering program.

For more information, check out the university catalog:

Graduate degree in Geological Engineering

The thesis MS program consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours, including at least 21 credit hours of lecture courses (at least 9 of which must be in geological engineering), 6 or more credit hours of Geo Eng 6099 (Research), and enrollment in Geo Eng 6010 (Geological Engineering Graduate Seminar) for a minimum of two semesters. 

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General Information

The non-thesis Master of Science program in Geological Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology offers a comprehensive and flexible curriculum tailored to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in geological engineering. The program integrates theoretical and practical learning in areas such as geotechnical engineering, groundwater hydrology, remote sensing and geospatial engineering, rock mechanics, geological hazard mitigation, and site assessment. Students gain access to state-of-the-art laboratories, expert faculty, and strong industry partnerships, ensuring a robust and marketable education.

This program is offered both in-person and on-line, providing access to both traditional and non-traditional students. All on-line courses have flexible schedules to accommodate working professionals. The program has four emphasis areas and consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours, as specified below. No fewer than five courses of the total must be geological engineering course, although students are also welcome to take courses in Civil, Environmental, Mining, and Petroleum Engineering and in Geology & Geophysics. Students are encouraged to also pursue a graduate certificate while earning their MS degree; courses on the Geological Engineering certificates are automatically applied to the master’s degree. The combination of master’s degree and certificate is especially helpful for career advancement.

Geological Engineering is one of three programs in the Earth Sciences and Engineering Department at Missouri S&T, comprising one natural science degree program (Geology and Geophysics) and two engineering programs (Geological Engineering and Petroleum Engineering). Students in all three programs benefit from interdisciplinary education that spans both science and engineering domains, enhancing their skill sets and marketability in diverse industries, including energy, mining, and environmental consulting.

Admission Requirements:

  • BS degree in geological engineering, geology, civil engineering, environmental engineering, environmental science, or a related field
  • GPA: 3.0 for regular admission and 2.75 for probationary admission
  • Transcripts: Official transcripts required
  • English proficiency test score requirements (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo) (International students only)
  • Other requirements: Resume/CV, Statement of Purpose

Program Requirements:

  • Total number of credit hours of lecture courses: 30
  • Minimum number of hours of geological engineering courses: 15 hours
  • Minimum number of hours of 6xxx courses: 9, at least 6 credit hours of which are geological engineering courses
Core Courses (number of credit hours: 9; available annually):
  • GEO ENG 5331 or GEO ENG 5381: Subsurface Hydrology, Intermediate Subsurface Hydrology and Contaminant Transport Mechs (LEC 2.0 and LAB 1.0, 5331 offered every fall and 5381 offered every spring)
  • GEO ENG 5441, GEO ENG 6441, or GEO ENG 6625: Engineering Geology and Geotechnics; Geotechnical Construction Practice; Applications in Geological Engineering (LEC 3.0; offered every fall for 5441, every spring for 6441, and variable for 6625)
  • GEO ENG 5443: Subsurface Exploration (LEC 2.0 and LAB 1.0, offered every fall)
Elective Courses for Engineering Geology and Geotechnics Emphasis Area (Choose 1-3 courses; at least one course must be in geological engineering):
  • GEO ENG 5415: Soil Mechanics for Geoprofessionals (LEC 3.0; offered every summer)
  • GEO ENG 5471: Rock Engineering (LEC 3.0, offered every fall)
  • GEO ENG 6441: Geotechnical Construction Practice (LEC 3.0; offered every spring)
  • GEO ENG 6477: Discontinuous Rock (LEC 3.0, offered every fall)
  • GEO ENG 6625: Applications in Geological Engineering (LEC 3.0, offered periodically)
  • CIV ENG 5715: Intermediate Soil Mechanics (LEC 3.0, offered every fall)
  • CIV ENG 5716: Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering (LEC 3.0, offered periodically)
  • CIV ENG 5729: Foundation Engineering II (LEC 3.0, offered periodically)

Other 4xxx, 5xxx, and 6xxx courses as approved by the advisor.

Elective Courses for Environmental and Hydrology Emphasis Area (Choose 1-3 courses):
  • GEO ENG 5233: Risk Assessment in Environmental Studies (LEC 3.0, offered periodically)
  • GEO ENG 5235: Environmental Geological Engineering (LEC 3.0, offered periodically)
  • GEO ENG 5237: Geological Aspects of Hazardous Waste Management (LEC 3.0, offered periodically)
  • GEO ENG 5381: Intermediate Subsurface Hydrology and Contaminant Transport Mechs (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered every spring)
  • GE 5001: Hydrological Field Methods (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered fall of odd-numbered years)
  • GEO ENG 6235: Advanced Concepts of Environmental Geological Engineering (LEC 3.0, offered periodically)
  • GEO ENG 6237: Advanced Geological & Geotechnical Design for Hazardous Waste Mgt (LEC 3.0, offered periodically)
  • GEO ENG 6331: Advanced Subsurface Hydrology (LEC 3.0, offered fall of even-numbered years)

Other 4xxx, 5xxx, and 6xxx courses as approved by the advisor.

Elective Courses for Engineering Geophysics Emphasis Area (Choose 1-2 courses):
  • GEO ENG 5736: Geophysical Field Methods (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered every fall)
  • GEO ENG 5761: Transportation Applications of Geophysics (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered periodically)
  • GEO ENG 5782: Environmental and Engineering Geophysics (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered every spring)
  • GEO ENG 6782: Surface Waves (MASW) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered periodically)
  • GEO ENG 6784: Advanced Engineering and Environmental Geophysics (LEC 3.0, offered every spring)

Other 4xxx, 5xxx, and 6xxx courses as approved by the advisor.

Elective Courses for Data Analysis Emphasis Area (Choose 1-2 courses; at least one course must be in geological engineering):
  • GEO ENG 5144: Remote Sensing Technology (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered every spring)
  • GEO ENG 5146: Applications of Geographic Information Systems (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered every summer)
  • GEO ENG 5315: Advanced Statistical Methods in Geology and Engineering (LEC 3.0, offered periodically)
  • GEO ENG 5001: Mapping With Drones (LEC 3.0, offered every spring)
  • GEO ENG 5556: Renewable Energy Systems (LEC 3.0, offered periodically)
  • COMP SCI 5204: Regression Analysis (LEC 3.0, offered periodically)
  • STAT 5260: Statistical Data Analysis Using SAS (LAB 1.0 and LEC 2.0, offered periodically)
  • STAT 5346: Regression Analysis (LEC 3.0, offered periodically)
  • STAT 5353: Statistical Data Analysis (LEC 3.0, offered periodically)
  • STAT 5814: Applied Time Series Analysis (LEC 3.0, offered periodically)

Other 4xxx, 5xxx, and 6xxx courses as approved by the advisor.

Course Availability

A full list of course availability and timing can be found here: https://cec.mst.edu/academics/course-availability/

Please note:  During the semester a student will have completed nine hours of graduate credit, the student must formally plan the remainder of their graduate program in consultation with their academic advisor, and submit a Form 1 for approval, first to the department chair and then to the vice provost of graduate education.

The geological engineering program at Missouri S&T is pleased to announce a new distance-based master of science degree program. This online program is specifically designed for reserve component officers.

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Research

Our program has a wealth of equipment and instrumentation for research in geology, geochemistry and geophysics. In addition to our own facilities, Missouri S&T has a large collection of cutting edge facilities in centers such as the Materials Research Center and the Center for Research in Energy and Environment.  
Research Areas
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Facilities and Instrumentation
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SECURING AN ADVISOR

There are two options in the master's program (thesis option and non-thesis option). The non-thesis option requires coursework only, while the thesis option requires a thesis with your research advisor with less coursework.

Both options are equally considered for admission without preference or priority. For the thesis option, the procedure of how to secure an advisor and seek his or her confirmation is the same as that of Ph.D. (see Doctoral Degree below).

The most important thing for Ph.D. admission is to secure your tentative advisor prior to applying. You can do this by viewing the department's faculty directory* to review each faculty member's research areas and identify your potential Ph.D. advisor. Contact the faculty member by email with your portfolio (CV, transcript, and publication(s)) and a detailed description of what interests you about that faculty’s research. Since faculty receive many emails from prospective students, emails identifying specific topics of interest rather than generic emails are most likely to be answered.

Once you find a potential advisor, specify that you would like to work with that faculty member in your Statement of Purpose in your application. Please note that a faculty member’s interest to potentially serve as your advisor does not mean you’ll automatically be offered financial assistantship. You need to ask the advisor about the availability of assistantships.

*Look for Petroleum Engineering next to the faculty's name to find those in our program.

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC FUNDING

There are two major mechanisms of assistantship for graduate students in GE: Graduate Research Assistants (GRA) and Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA). Students can be appointed as GRA or GTA by any rate up to 50% FTE (Full-Time Equivalent), which is the maximum part-time employment rate for students. The monthly wage for 50% FTE is $2,163.66. Additionally, if students have out-of-state tuition, this is waived if offered at least a 25% FTE or higher.

Graduate degree funding

At Missouri S&T, we value our graduate students. In our commitment to your education, we've put together several funding opportunities to help make your degree an excellent return on investment. Take a look at what we have to offer.
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