Geological engineering integrates geology and engineering to design and build infrastructure, assess ground and water conditions, and evaluate natural hazards. Geological engineering at Michigan Tech addresses challenges posed by climate variability, urbanization, and the need for sustainable resource extraction.
A bachelor’s degree in geological engineering from Michigan Tech bridges the gap between geology, civil engineering, and industrial engineering. As a geological engineer, you’ll utilize the Earth’s geological features and resources to meet society’s needs in a sustainable manner. Learn to apply engineering principles to mitigate natural hazards that pose threats to civil structures, infrastructure, and people. Investigate sites for planned tunnels, roads, dams, nuclear waste facilities, or property development. Explore and harvest mineral and energy resources.
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At Michigan Tech, take advantage of our location in the heart of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Work in real geological environments with industry-experienced faculty. Focus in hydrogeology, sustainable mining, volcanology, and more. Join faculty and student groups on field trips around the world to study diverse materials and geological practices.
Collaborate with your fellow geological engineers in the Geology Learning Center or as a member of a student organization such as the American Institute of Professional Geologists or the Copper Country Rock and Mineral Club. Meet the workforce's need for more geotechnical professionals with internships and co-op opportunities with the assistance of department-dedicated advisors. Bridge the gap between geology and engineering to build a more sustainable future.
What Will I Study?
Build on a foundation of physics, mathematics, and engineering principles. Develop hands-on expertise working on geological engineering projects. Put your geological engineering skills to the test in either an industry-sponsored Senior Design capstone project or collaborative Enterprise team. Expand your expertise with advanced coursework in the following areas:
- Environmental and Engineering Geophysics
- Volcanology
- Groundwater Engineering
- Fundamentals of Remote Sensing
- Natural Hazards
- Mining Systems and the Environment
Tomorrow Needs Geoscientists in Diverse Landscapes
Travel the world to Investigate natural phenomena and collect data on location. Interpret results in a lab and write a report. These are some daily duties of geoscientists and geological engineers.
Field studies bring geoscientists to diverse landscapes around the globe. Your work can send you to volcanoes, oceans, and oil fields. Geoscientists must have the ability to develop a picture of a field site based on limited data. Sound critical-thinking skills are part of this discipline. Learn to adapt to a variety of situations and working conditions.
Specialty areas in geological engineering include the following:
- Soil mechanics
- Rock mechanics
- Geotechnics
- Groundwater engineering
- Hydrogeology
- Civil design
- Hazard investigation and planning
- Natural resources
Engineering Enterprise Concentration
You can pursue an Enterprise concentration by taking part in Michigan Tech's award-winning Enterprise Program. Work on real projects, with real clients, in an environment that’s more like a business than a classroom. Choose from more than 25 Enterprise teams on campus to invent products, provide services, and pioneer solutions.
All Enterprise teams are open to all majors, with geological engineering projects in Alternative Energy Enterprise or Multiplanetary Innovation Enterprise. Tackle real-world design projects for industry sponsors or take part in a national competition (or both). This concentration can add courses in business and entrepreneurship.
Be Career Ready
Discover a world of opportunity. Graduate with a bachelor’s degree in geological engineering. It will prepare you for a career in industry or further studies toward a graduate degree. Geological engineers often spend part of their working time outdoors and enjoying nature. They may travel frequently.
Interested in oil exploration or a career in academia? Explore graduate education options. An advanced degree provides greater specialization.
Explore career opportunities for geological engineers.
- Groundwater and surface water monitoring and cleaning
- Natural hazard mitigation
- Satellite remote sensing of environmental processes
- Geographic information systems (GIS) mapping of environmental data
- Site investigations of underground hazards
- Slope failure investigations
- Oil or gas exploration and recovery
- Subsurface visualization
- Natural and induced seismicity evaluation
Mission Statement
Michigan Tech's Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering degree program will provide students with a broad background in science and engineering, a rock-solid foundation in geology, and sufficient depth and breadth in the areas of humanities, social sciences, and economics to ensure that they can function and communicate in an effective and responsible way in meeting the needs of society. Students will receive a thorough background in applied geophysics, which will support advanced engineering courses. To maximize the benefits to society, students will receive a balanced curriculum of junior- and senior-level engineering courses in energy resources, mineral resources, groundwater engineering, and geomechanics.
My story: John Myaard, MTUengineer"Originally I was going to major in computer science, but after being exposed to some geology courses in high school and then experiencing a favorable tour of the GMES Department, I decided geological engineering would be a better fit."
