Program Overview

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Geological Engineering, BS

Geological engineering (GLE) brings the fields of geology and engineering to solve challenges in natural and built environments. It offers opportunities to work outdoors; help communities grow, evolve, and respond to climate change; and guide the sustainable use of Earths natural resources by:

• Solving issues with rock and soils
• Mitigating the risk of floods, landslides, earthquakes, and other natural hazards
• Managing groundwater and surface water to provide safe drinking water
• Designing and building foundation systems, transportation facilities, dams, tunnels, and other critical infrastructure
• Harnessing and storing alternative energy sources like wind, solar, and geothermal
• Creating systems for recycling, reusing, and disposing of solid and hazardous waste
• Remediating contaminated soil and water

Geological engineers are in demand as society adapts to climate change and resource depletion. Professionals in this field help us sustainably overcome the grand challenges we face in meeting our energy, infrastructure, and resource needs.

At the University of WisconsinMadison, geological engineering students excel with hands-on opportunities in well-equipped labs, computer facilities, and field research sites. We study minerals, rocks, soil, and the history of the Earth to understand the natural world and how we can live and work in concert with it.

You will learn from faculty and staff from the College of Engineering and the College of Letters and Science, as well as practicing engineers. Youll use the tools and technology that geological engineers use every day, and youll apply your knowledge to create multidisciplinary solutions for real-world challenges in our capstone design course.

As a student in our program, you can increase your career potential by earning a dual major in geological engineering and geology and geophysics in a single 126-credit program, with no extra coursework. There are also a variety of certificate programs that you can pair with your degree, including two options for sustainable energy, to set yourself up for success.

We encourage students to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam before or shortly after graduating, which is the first step in professional engineering licensure. Geological engineering students surpass the national average, ensuring our graduates are well-prepared for their careers.

Geological engineering alumni from our program find rewarding careers with planning and design consulting firms; the natural resource sector; construction companies; energy developers and providers; and city/county, state, and federal agencies. Typical entry-level position titles include geological engineer, geotechnical engineer, geologist, design engineer, and project engineer.

How to Get in

Admission to the College as a First-Year Student

Students applying to UWMadison need to indicate an engineering major as their first choice in order to be considered for direct admission to the College of Engineering. Direct admission means that students get to start their college career in the engineering program of their choice and have access to engineering-specific resources and facilities. Students who are directly admitted need to meet progression requirements at the end of the first year to guarantee advancement in that program.

Cross-Campus Transfer to Engineering

UWMadison students in other schools and colleges on campus must meet minimum admission requirements for admission consideration to engineering degree programs. Cross-campus admission is competitive and selective, and academic performance expectations may increase as demand trends change. The students overall academic record at UWMadison is also considered. Students apply to their intended engineering program by submitting the online application by stated deadlines for spring and fall. The College of Engineering offers an online information tutorial and advising for students to learn about the cross-campus transfer process.

Off-Campus Transfer to Engineering

With careful planning, students at other accredited institutions can transfer coursework that will apply toward engineering degree requirements at UWMadison. Off-campus transfer applicants are considered for direct admission to the College of Engineering by applying to the Office of Admissions with an engineering major listed as their first choice. Those who are admitted to their intended engineering program must meet progression requirements at the point of transfer or within their first two semesters at UWMadison to guarantee advancement in that program. A minimum of 30 credits in residence in the College of Engineering is required after transferring, and all students must meet all requirements for their engineering major. Transfer admission to the College of Engineering is competitive and selective, and students who have exceeded the 80 credit limit at the time of application are not eligible to apply.

Requirements

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below.

• BreadthHumanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
• BreadthNatural Science: 4 to 6 credits, consisting of one 4- or 5-credit course with a laboratory component; or two courses providing a total of 6 credits
• BreadthSocial Studies: 3 credits
• Communication Part A & Part B
• Ethnic Studies
• Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B

Students must complete the College of Engineering Liberal Studies Requirements.

Students completing the geological engineering degree are also eligible to earn an additional major in geology and geophysics with no additional coursework. Students must contact an advisor to complete the necessary paperwork to declare the additional geology and geophysics major.

Summary of Requirements

• Mathematics: 13 credits
• Engineering Principles and Professional Issues: 11-14 credits
• Physical Science, Engineering Science, and Geoscience: 44 credits
• Required Geological Engineering Courses: 19 credits
• Technical Electives: 15 credits
• Geological Engineering Design
• Communication Skills: 8-9 credits
• Liberal Studies Electives: 16 credits
• Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
• Total Credits: 126

Mathematics

• MATH 221: Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1 (5 credits)
• MATH 222: Calculus and Analytic Geometry 2 (4 credits)
• MATH 234: CalculusFunctions of Several Variables (4 credits)
• Total Credits: 13

Engineering Principles and Professional Issues

• STAT 324: Introduction to Statistics for Science and Engineering (3 credits)
• CIV ENGR/G L E 291: Problem Solving Using Computer Tools (4 credits)
• I SY E 313: Engineering Economic Analysis (3 credits)
• Select one:
  • E P D 690: Special Topics in Engineering Professional Development (Topic: Core Competence in Sustainability) (1-4 credits)
  • ENVIR ST/GEOG 339: Environmental Conservation (3 credits)
  • ENVIR ST/PHILOS 441: Environmental Ethics (3 credits)
  • G L E 401: Special Topics in Geological Engineering (Topic: Ethics & Professionalism - GLE) (1-3 credits)
  • INTEREGR 303: Applied Leadership Competencies in Engineering (3 credits)
• Total Credits: 11-14

Physical Science, Engineering Science, and Geoscience

• Select one of the following:
  • CHEM 109: Advanced General Chemistry (5 credits)
  • CHEM 103 & CHEM 104: General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II (5 credits)
  • PHYSICS 202: General Physics (5 credits)
  • PHYSICS 208: General Physics (5 credits)
• E M A 201: Statics (C grade or better) (3 credits)
• E M A 202: Dynamics (3 credits)
• E M A 303: Mechanics of Materials (3 credits)
• CIV ENGR 310: Fluid Mechanics (3 credits)
• GEOSCI 100: Introductory Geology: How the Earth Works (3 credits)
• GEOSCI 202: Introduction to Geologic Structures (4 credits)
• GEOSCI 204: Geologic Evolution of the Earth (4 credits)
• GEOSCI/G L E 360: Principles of Mineralogy (3 credits)
• GEOSCI/G L E 370: Elementary Petrology (3 credits)
• GEOSCI/G L E 431: Sedimentary & Stratigraphy Lab (1 credit)
• GEOSCI/G L E 455: Structural Geology (4 credits)
• Total Credits: 44-48

Required Geological Engineering Courses

• G L E 171: Introduction to Geological Engineering (1 credit)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 291: Problem Solving Using Computer Tools (4 credits)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 330: Soil Mechanics (3 credits)
• G L E/CIV ENGR/GEOSCI/M S & E 474: Rock Mechanics (3 credits)
• G L E 479: Geological Engineering Design (4 credits)
• G L E/GEOSCI 594: Introduction to Applied Geophysics (3 credits)
• G L E/GEOSCI 595: Field Methods in Applied and Engineering Geophysics (1 credit)
• G L E/GEOSCI 627: Hydrogeology (4 credits)
• Total Credits: 23

Technical Electives

Students must take a minimum 15 credits in the Technical Electives category, of which 5-6 credits must be design-focused, including at least one design-focused course taken prior to G L E 479 Geological Engineering Design.

Energy, Minerals & Mining

• BSE/ENVIR ST 367: Renewable Energy Systems (3 credits)
• CBE 562: Special Topics in Chemical Engineering (Topic: Energy & Sustainability) (1-3 credits)
• CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST/GEOG 377: An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (4 credits)
• E M A 405: Practicum in Finite Elements (3 credits)
• GEOSCI/ENVIR ST 411: Energy Resources (3 credits)
• GEOSCI 457: Conducted Field Trip (2 credits)
• GEOSCI 459: Field Geology (6 credits)
• GEOSCI 515: Principles of Economic Geology (4 credits)
• G L E 401: Special Topics in Geological Engineering (1-3 credits)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 430: Introduction to Slope Stability and Earth Retention (1 credit)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 434: Introduction to Underground Openings Engineering (1 credit)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 530: Seepage and Slopes (3 credits)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 535: Wind Energy Balance-of-Plant Design (3 credits)
• G L E/GEOSCI 757: Advanced Rock Mechanics (3 credits)

Sustainability & Environment

• BSE/ENVIR ST 367: Renewable Energy Systems (3 credits)
• CBE 562: Special Topics in Chemical Engineering (Topic: Energy & Sustainability) (1-3 credits)
• CIV ENGR 320: Environmental Engineering (3 credits)
• CIV ENGR/G L E 421: Environmental Sustainability Engineering (3 credits)
• CIV ENGR 427: Solid and Hazardous Wastes Engineering (3 credits)
• CIV ENGR 522: Hazardous Waste Management (3 credits)
• CIV ENGR 619: Special Topics in Hydrology (1-3 credits)
• CIV ENGR 649: Special Topics in Structural Engineering (Topic: Sustainable Construction) (1-3 credits)
• GEOSCI/ENVIR ST 411: Energy Resources (3 credits)
• GEOSCI/G L E 629: Contaminant Hydrogeology (3 credits)
• G L E 401: Special Topics in Geological Engineering (1-3 credits)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 635: Remediation Geotechnics (3 credits)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 732: Unsaturated Soil Geoengineering (3 credits)
• SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST 324: Soils and Environmental Quality (3 credits)

Geohazards

• CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST/GEOG 377: An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (4 credits)
• CIV ENGR 514: Coastal Engineering (2-3 credits)
• E M A 405: Practicum in Finite Elements (3 credits)
• GEOSCI/GEOG 320: Geomorphology (3 credits)
• GEOSCI/G L E 350: Introduction to Geophysics: The Dynamic Earth (3 credits)
• GEOSCI 459: Field Geology (6 credits)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 430: Introduction to Slope Stability and Earth Retention (1 credit)
• G L E/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST/GEOSCI 444: Practical Applications of GPS Surveying (2 credits)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 530: Seepage and Slopes (3 credits)

Water

• CIV ENGR 311: Hydroscience (3 credits)
• CIV ENGR 412: Groundwater Hydraulics (3 credits)
• CIV ENGR 414: Hydrologic Design (3 credits)
• CIV ENGR 415: Hydrology (3 credits)
• CIV ENGR 500: Water Chemistry (3 credits)
• CIV ENGR 618: Special Topics in Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics (1-3 credits)
• CIV ENGR 619: Special Topics in Hydrology (1-3 credits)
• GEOSCI/GEOG 320: Geomorphology (3 credits)
• GEOSCI/GEOG 420: Glacial and Pleistocene Geology (3 credits)
• GEOSCI 430: Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (3 credits)
• GEOSCI/G L E 629: Contaminant Hydrogeology (3 credits)
• G L E 401: Special Topics in Geological Engineering (1-3 credits)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 430: Introduction to Slope Stability and Earth Retention (1 credit)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 511: Mixing and Transport in the Environment (3 credits)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 530: Seepage and Slopes (3 credits)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 732: Unsaturated Soil Geoengineering (3 credits)

Infrastructure

• CIV ENGR 649: Special Topics in Structural Engineering (Topic: Sustainable Construction) (1-3 credits)
• E M A 405: Practicum in Finite Elements (3 credits)
• GEOSCI/GEOG 320: Geomorphology (3 credits)
• GEOSCI/GEOG 420: Glacial and Pleistocene Geology (3 credits)
• GEOSCI 430: Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (3 credits)
• G L E 401: Special Topics in Geological Engineering (1-3 credits)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 430: Introduction to Slope Stability and Earth Retention (1 credit)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 432: Introduction to Shallow and Deep Foundation Systems (1 credit)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 434: Introduction to Underground Openings Engineering (1 credit)
• G L E/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST/GEOSCI 444: Practical Applications of GPS Surveying (2 credits)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 530: Seepage and Slopes (3 credits)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 532: Foundations (3 credits)
• CIV ENGR/G L E 534: Nondestructive Evaluation (3 credits)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 535: Wind Energy Balance-of-Plant Design (3 credits)
• G L E/CIV ENGR 730: Engineering Properties of Soils (3 credits)

Communication Skills

• ENGL 100: Introduction to College Composition (3 credits)
• COM ARTS 100: Introduction to Speech Composition (3 credits)
• LSC 100: Science and Storytelling (3 credits)
• ESL 118: Academic Writing II (3 credits)
• INTEREGR 275: Technical Presentations (2 credits)
• COM ARTS 181: Elements of Speech-Honors Course (3 credits)
• COM ARTS 262: Argumentation and Debate (3 credits)
• COM ARTS 266: Theory and Practice of Group Discussion (3 credits)
• INTEREGR 397: Engineering Communication (3 credits)
• Total Credits: 8

Liberal Studies

Students must complete the 16 credits of College of Engineering Liberal Studies Requirements.

Fundamentals of Engineering Exam

All students must take the Fundamentals of Engineering exam.

Learning Outcomes

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

Four-Year Plan

Sample Four-Year Plan:

First Year

• Fall: MATH 221 (5 credits), CHEM 109 (5 credits), GEOSCI 100 (3 credits), Communications A (3 credits), Liberal Studies Elective (4 credits)
• Spring: MATH 222 (4 credits), E M A 201 (3 credits), GEOSCI 204 (4 credits), G L E 171 (1 credit), Liberal Studies Elective (4 credits)

Second Year

• Fall: MATH 234 (4 credits), E M A 202 (3 credits), GEOSCI/G L E 360 (3 credits), GEOSCI 202 (4 credits), CIV ENGR/G L E 291 (4 credits)
• Spring: CIV ENGR 310 (3 credits), E M A 303 (3 credits), GEOSCI/G L E 370 (3 credits), Liberal Studies Elective (3 credits)

Third Year

• Fall: STAT 324 (3 credits), Technical Elective (3 credits), CIV ENGR/G L E 330 (3 credits), GEOSCI/G L E 431 (1 credit), Liberal Studies Elective (3 credits), INTEREGR 275 (2 credits)
• Spring: Technical Elective (3 credits), Professional Issues (1-4 credits), G L E/CIV ENGR/GEOSCI/M S & E 474 (3 credits), GEOSCI/G L E 455 (4 credits), INTEREGR 397 (3 credits)

Fourth Year

• Fall: Ethnic Studies (3 credits), G L E/GEOSCI 594 (3 credits), G L E/GEOSCI 595 (1 credit), G L E/GEOSCI 627 (4 credits), Technical Elective (3 credits)
• Spring: G L E 479 (4 credits), Liberal Studies Elective (3 credits), I SY E 313 (3 credits), Technical Elective (3 credits)

Total Credits: 126-130

Advising and Careers

Every College of Engineering undergraduate has an assigned academic advisor. Academic advisors support and coach students through their transition to college and their academic program all the way through graduation.

Advisors help students navigate the highly structured engineering curricula and course sequencing, working with them to select courses each semester. When facing a challenge or making a plan toward a goal, students can start with their academic advisor.

Resources and Scholarships

The geological engineering program utilizes laboratories that are shared with other departments. They include:

• Land Information and Surveying Laboratories
• Fluid Mechanics Laboratory
• Materials Testing Laboratory
• Geology and Hydrogeology Laboratories
• Rock Mechanics Laboratory
• Geoengineering Laboratories

Accreditation

Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for Geological and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Program Educational Objectives for the Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering

We recognize that our graduates will choose to use the knowledge and skills that they have acquired during their undergraduate years to pursue a wide variety of career and life goals, and we encourage this diversity of paths. Whatever path our graduates may choose, we expect them to be meeting the following objectives at least three to five years after graduation:

1. Apply geological engineering principles, analyses, and synthesis to design and implement projects in the natural and built environment.
2. Incorporate economic, environmental, political, ethical, social, safety, and global considerations to generate sustainable solutions in the natural and built environment.
3. Exhibit strong communication, leadership, and teamwork skills.
4. Serve others through professional responsibility and participation in professional and public activities and good citizenship.
5. Demonstrate a continuing commitment to and interest in their own and others education.