Undergraduate Degree

Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering

Design solutions to solve earth's problems.

Geological engineering students get a solid grounding in geology and engineering and can become registered in both professions. Our office is the world. We work outside, in offices, and in labs using sophisticated software and data acquired from satellites, drones, drill rigs, and boots on the ground.

As a geological engineering undergraduate student, you will be taking courses focused on the Earth, and the care of its resources and inhabitants. Courses frequently include hands-on laboratory and fieldwork. You'll also be taking engineering-related subjects in math, chemistry, physics, and mechanics, and can expect to spend significant time on engineering design projects. 

Our bachelor of science degree in geological engineering consists of 128 credit hours. As a freshman, you will be admitted into the Freshman Engineering Program but can choose a geological engineering preference. Doing so, you may qualify for freshmen scholarships within the department.

You will be required to complete 21 credit hours chosen from general education. You have the option to choose an emphasis area by completing at least two courses (six credits) in that area.  A “C” or better grade is required in all math and core courses.

For more information, check out the university catalog:

Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering

As an engineering freshman, you'll work toward completing common freshman year courses while acquiring information to help you determine a major and career. During the first two or three semesters on campus, you will take a set of courses that are required by all engineering departments. After successfully completing the freshman engineering requirements, you'll formally apply for admission to the geological engineering department.

Learn more about the program:

Freshman Engineering Program

General Information

Experiential learning at Missouri S&T refers to learning stimulated by a variety of structured activities that differ significantly from the traditional lecture format. Experiential learning activities are designed to require you to go beyond mastering basic skills and knowledge in the application of that material to problem solving challenges. These activities involve collaboration and reflective learning and allow students to learn in environments that align with their aptitudes.

Experiential Learning Requirements

The Department of Earth Sciences and Engineering (ESE) requires each undergraduate student in Geology & Geophysics, Geological Engineering, and Petroleum Engineering to complete an experiential learning activity appropriate to the student’s course of study. This document specifies the department’s implementation of the Missouri S&T Undergraduate Experiential Learning Standard & Operating Procedure approved by Faculty Senate on April 17th, 2014 as follows:

  1. Activities must be university sponsored or affiliated.
  2. Academic advisors will ensure that activities are of sufficient duration, intensity and rigor to demonstrate successful applications of learned principles appropriate to the expectation of the degree program.
  3. Focus will be on creative and innovative activities that fall outside the realm of the traditional  lecture classroom experience and contribute significantly to professional and personal development.
  4. Activities in university design teams and organizations must be confirmed by their respective faculty advisors.
  5. Each student will be required to write a summary reflection essay that documents the experience(s) from the student’s perspective and submit the essay to his/her academic advisor.

Examples of Activities

  • Approved courses that require students to go beyond mastering basic skills and knowledge in the application of that material to problem solving challenges: GEO 4097 (Advanced Field Camp); GEO ENG 2407 (Geology and Engineering of Ancient and
    Modern Peru); GEO ENG 5092 (International Engineering and Design)
  • Undergraduate research (OURE projects, NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates, Honors Academy senior research project, etc.).
  • One semester of study abroad.
  • Co-Op, summer internship and externship in industry or at a research center.
  • Significant participation on a student design team.
  • Leadership positions within student governing boards (Student Council, Student Union Board, PanHellenic Council, Greek Chapter Executive board, Residence Hall Association, National Residence Hall Honorary, Residence Hall Executive Board, Cultural Activities Planning Committees, Student Judicial Boards, Student Athlete Advisory Committee).
  • S&T sponsored service learning (Engineers without Borders, Miner Challenge, Humanitarian Engineering and Science Minor, Global Studies Minor, etc.)
  • Year-long leadership involvement experiences (Global Leaders Institute, Chancellor’s Leadership Academy, Student Leadership Conference Chair, University Innovation Fellow).

The above referenced instructors/advisors/supervisors will notify the ESE administrative assistant about students who complete experiential learning requirements. The administrative assistant will track them and periodically send S&T’s Undergraduate Studies Office a list of B.S. in Geology & Geophysics, Geological Engineering and Petroleum Engineering students who have met all their experiential learning requirements.

Experiential Learning Activity Approval Form

Minors and Emphasis Areas

Our minor and emphasis areas help you focus on your interests and career goals. Complete 15 credit hours of approved courses to earn a minor, or 6 credit hours of approved courses to establish an emphasis area.

A minor in geological engineering enhances your academic credentials and broadens employment choices. These skills can be applied to industries such as geotechnical and environmental consulting, including civil, mining, nuclear, and petroleum engineering for geologists and geophysicists.

Learn more

With an emphasis in engineering geology and geotechnics, you will focus on protecting infrastructure from damage due to foundation failures or natural disasters.

Courses include the following: rock engineering, drilling and blasting, and regional geological engineering problems in North America.

As a geological engineering student with an emphasis in groundwater hydrology and environmental protection, you will focus on sustainable water development, groundwater and soil remediation, pollution prevention, and hazardous waste management.  Projects include developing safe drinking water.

Courses include the following: subsurface hydrology and transport mechanics, geological aspects of hazardous waste management, and risk assessment in environmental studies.

As a geological engineering student with an emphasis in renewable and conventional energy resources, you will focus on meeting society’s energy needs through renewable energy and through conventional and non-conventional fossil fuels.

Courses include the following: renewable energy, petroleum reservoir engineering, petroleum economic validation, and applied petroleum geology.

As a geological engineering student with an emphasis in quarry and mining engineering, the focus will be interdisciplinary, including mining, environmental, mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering.

Courses include the following: construction materials – properties and testing, drilling and blasting, and strata control.

As a geological engineering student with an emphasis in environmental and engineering geophysics, you will focus on near-surface geophysical techniques for solving environmental and geological engineering problems by improving site characterization and understanding of material properties.

Courses include the following: Environmental and engineering geophysics, field methods in geophysics, and transportation geophysics.

Admissions

To apply for admission to Missouri S&T, choose the selection below that best describes your application status.

Contact Admissions for more information.

 573-341-4165  EMAIL

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