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Geological Engineering Undergraduate Program

» Goals and Objectives
» Program Accreditation
» Admissions
» Degree Requirements
» Geology and Geological Engineering Courses

Goals and Objectives


The goals of the Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering program are an outgrowth of and consistent with The University of Mississippi academic focus and goals for the 1990s. While recognizing that the primary goal is to educate students whose careers will serve the state of Mississippi, it is our goal to train students whose professional careers will also serve the needs of the nation and the world in geological engineering and related fields. Past graduates of the program have found professional positions in a range of industries: (1) geotechnical, (2) environmental, (3) geospatial information science and technology, (4) graduate education, (5) earth resources extraction, and (6) hydrology. Future graduates are expected to serve the same range of industries. The objectives of the Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering program are to prepare graduates:

•  Capable of conducting productive careers as professional geological engineers engaged in continuous professional growth along their chosen career path;

•  Knowledgeable of fundamental mathematics, chemistry, and physics, in preparation for advanced instruction and professional practice in geological engineering;

•  With demonstrated knowledge of the engineering sciences, geological sciences, and geological engineering design fundamentals that are the core of the geological engineering profession;

•  Well versed in the liberal arts and capable of effective written and oral communication;

•  Familiar with modern technology and modern scientific and engineering practice, and prepared to engage in lifelong learning to remain vital in the profession;

•  With demonstrated ability to design and communicate creative solutions to practical problems that are effective, ethical, environmentally sound, cognizant of public safety requirements, and economically feasible.

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Program Accreditation

 

The Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347 - 7700.

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Admissions



Criteria and procedures for admitting students within the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering follow the general requirements for admission to the University of Mississippi. A portion of these requirements are shown below. The entire list of requirements is published in the Undergraduate Catalog. It is recommend that all prospective students consult with the current catalog or contact the Department should you have any further questions.

Admission requirements to the School of Engineering, which encompass and exceed the general university requirements, are given below:

Admission of Freshmen

An applicant to the freshman class in the School of Engineering must submit the following:

The applicant’s academic record from an approved secondary school which
includes at least the following units:

Subject
Minimum Units
English
4
Mathematics
4
Natural science
3
Social science
3
Advanced electives, including
Foreign language (one language)
2
Computer applications
0.5
Total (secondary school units)
16.5

Admission of Transfer Students

An overall “C” average in course work taken at other approved colleges is required for transfer into the School of Engineering. In unusual cases, the rule may be waived with the approval of the appropriate department chair and the dean.

Admission of International Students

International undergraduate applicants must have received a high school diploma with a “B” average or better and have completed a minimum of 12 years of primary and secondary education. Those prospective students whose native language is not English must submit evidence of competence in English by a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper) or 213 (computer-based). International students transferring from other colleges and universities must have an overall “B” average or better on all courses taken.

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Degree Requirements


The following is the Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering degree requirements by topic for students entering the program AFTER August 1, 2003. For students who have entered prior to August 1, 2003, see your academic advisor for curriculum transition requirements.

Use the advisor worksheet when scheduling classes.


TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS: 136
FIRST YEAR: 32 Semester Hours
Courses
Semester Hours
1st
2nd
English 101, 102–English Composition
3
3
Chemistry 105, 106, 115, 116–General Chemistry; Laboratory
4
4
Mathematics 261, 262–Unified Calculus and Analytic Geometry
3
3
Geology 103–Earth Dynamics
5
-
Geology 221–Mineralogy
-
4
Humanities/fine arts elective
-
3

SECOND YEAR: 34 Semester Hours
Courses
Semester Hours
1st
2nd
Mathematics 263, 264–Unified Calculus and Analytic Geometry
3
3
Physics 211, 212, 221, 222–Physics; Laboratory
4
4
Computer Science 251–Programming for Engineering and Sciences
3
-
Geology 222–Elementary Petrology
4
-
Geology 314–Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
-
4
Engineering 309–Introductory Mechanics
-
3
Engineering 340–Engineering Geology
-
3
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective
3
-

THIRD YEAR: 32 Semester Hours
Courses
Semester Hours
1st
2nd
Engineering 207–Graphics I
-
1
Engineering 323–Fluid Mechanics
3
-
Engineering 453–Prob. and Stat. Analysis in Engineering Design
-
3
Civil Engineering 431–Soil Mechanics I
-
3
Mathematics 353–Differential Equations
3
-
Engineering 312–Mechanics of Materials
-
3
Geology 303–Structural and Tectonic Geology
-
3
Geology 305–Geomorphology
3
-
GE 234–Intro. to Geological Engineering Field Methods
1
-
GE 305-Geomechanics
3
-
GE 470–Intro. to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
3
-
Engineering Science Elective
-
3

THIRD YEAR: 6 Semester Hours
GE 437–South Dakota School of Mines Field Camp (or acceptable substitute field camp)

FOURTH YEAR: 34 Semester Hours
Courses
Semester Hours
1st
2nd
GE 402–Professionalism in Geological Engineering
1
-
GE 420–Subsurface Site Characterization
4
-
GE 421–Geological Engineering Design
-
4
GE 450–Hydrology
4
-
GE Technical Electives**
3
3
Engineering Science Elective*
-
3
Economics 310–Engineering Enconomy
-
3
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective
6
3

                         

*Engineering Science Electives(pick two):ENGR 360 or ENGR 362, ENGR 321, CE 472

**GE Technical Electives (pick two): GE 405, GE 440, GE 490, GE 503, GE 507, GE 510, GE 511, GE 513, CE 471 or one of the following addtional engineering science courses: CE 325, ENGR 310, ENGR 313

 

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Geology and Geological Engineering Courses
GEOL 103
EARTH DYNAMICS. An integrated study of the process-response relationships between plate tectonics and geological processes through time. Required of geology and geological engineering majors. Prerequisite:none. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours) (5 credit hours).
GEOL 221
MINERALOGY. Crystallography, crystal chemistry, and minerals; determination by physical and chemical properties. Prerequisite: GEOL 103. Corequisite: CHEM 105. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours) (4 credit hours).
GEOL 222
ELEMENTARY PETROLOGY. Petrographic and hand-specimen identification of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, lithologic classification, and the role of plate tectonics in petrogenesis. Prerequisite or corequisite: GEOL 221. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours). (4 credit hours).
GEOL 303

STRUCTURAL AND TECTONIC GEOLOGY. Geometric and genetic classification of both macro- and micro-structural types and their interrelations with crustal tectonics. Prerequisite: GEOL 222. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours). (3 credit hours).

GEOL 305
GEOMORPHOLOGY. Introduction to concepts of landform genesis. Prerequisite or corequisite: GEOL 103. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours) (3 credit hours)
GEOL 309

INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY. The classification, morphology, and paleoecology of invertebrate fossils. Prerequisite: GEOL 103. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours). (4 credit hours).

GEOL 314
SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY. Study of the principles of sediment and sedimentary rock formation, transport, classification, and depositional environments, as well as the development of stratigraphic sequences and modern and traditional methods of stratigraphic correlation. Prerequisite: GEOL 222. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours) (4 credit hours).
GEOL 420

OPTICAL MINEROLOGY. Use of the petrographic microscope to study the optical properties of rock-forming minerals. Prerequisite: GEOL 222 (2 lecture, 2 lab). (3 credit hours).

GEOL 500
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS. Geographic Information Systems are combinations of computer software, hardware, and database (maps). These systems are used to analyze and display geographical information necessary for government and industrial planning. Prerequisite: GEOL 305, or consent of instructor. (4 credit hours).
GEOL 505
HYDROGEOLOGY. Groundwater hydrology for geologists. Prerequisite: GEOL 221, 222, 303, 313, or consent of instructor. (4 credit hours).
GEOL 530

GEOLOGY FIELD STUDIES. Field projects for graduate students. Prerequisite: GEOL 221, 222, 303, 313, or consent of instructor. (3 credit hours).

GEOL 550

OCEANOGRAPHY AND MARINE GEOLOGY. Advanced study of the principles of ocean basin tectonics, seawater composition, waves, tides, currents, and marine and coastal marine sedimentation. Prerequisite: GEOL 314 or consent of instructor. (3 credit hours).

GEOL 591

SPECIAL TOPICS. Lecture or lecture-lab courses on specific topics and on a one-time basis. (1-3 credit hours).

GE 234
INTRODUCTION TO GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING FIELD METHODS. Instruction in the use of geological field instruments and geological engineering field technique. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (1 credit hour).
GE 305

GEOMECHANICS. Properties and behavior of earth materials and their geological engineering applications to problems and design in geotechnics, mining, and petroleum. Prerequisite: ENGR 420. Corequisite: GE 420. (3 credit hours).

GE 402

PROFESSIONALISM IN GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING. Overview of professionalism in Geological Engineering, including such topics as ethics, communication, legal aspects and public interface. Prerequisite: Senior standing. (1 credit hour).

GE 405
ENGINEERING GEOPHYSICS. The application of geophysical methods and techniques to subsurface engineering investigations. (3 credit hours).
GE 413

PROBABILITY AND STATISTICAL ANALYSES IN ENGINEERING DESIGN. Introduction to probability, statistics, uncertainty, and reliability. Application of common continuous and discrete probability distributions. Design under uncertainty and elementary decision analysis. Simulation of random variables. Applications in natural and man-made materials, hydrologic and geological conditions and other natural processes, and engineering design. (Same as ENGR 453). Prerequisite: MATH 262. (3 credit hours).

GE 420

SUBSURFACE SITE CHARACTERIZATION. Coring, logging, introduction and application of geophysical methods, sampling, and penetrometer testing. Applications require preparation of quality assurance and control procedures, maps, cross sections, and oral and written reports. Prerequisites: GE 305, 450. (4 credit hours).

GE 421
GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN. Geological engineering design by the application of rock mechanics, soil mechanics, geology, geophysics, remote sensing and hydrology to geological and engineering problems. Prerequisite: senior standing. The taking of the national Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination is a requirement of this course. Prerequisites: GE 420. (4 credit hours).
GE 430

GEOLOGICAL FIELD STUDIES. Application of geological engineering and geology to special study field problems. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor. (4 credit hours).

GE 437
GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN FIELD CAMP. Geological engineering design problems at the South Dakota Consortium’s Black Hills Field Station. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (3-6 credit hours).
GE 440
ROCK MECHANICS. The physical and engineering properties of rocks and rock-like materials; classification, strength, deformation, hydraulic aspects, geostresses, effects of discontinuities and geologic structures. Geological engineering application to geotechnics, petroleum and mining problems and design. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours) (3 credit hours).
GE 450

HYDROGEOLOGY. The theory and geology of the flow of ground water. Engineering principles and the design of wells for the production or injection of fluids from or into subsurface aquifers. Prerequisite: GE 420 or consent of instructor. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours) (4 credit hours).

GE 460
FUNDAMENTALS OF WASTE MANAGEMENT. The fundamentals of managing and disposing of waste materials. Emphasis on the geological and geotechnical aspects of disposal by burying in the subsurface, and on elements of geophysics. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (3 credit hours).
GE 470
INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS). Geographic information systems (GIS) are computer systems of holding and using information describing places on the Earth. These systems used are for industry and government to manage and analyze environmental, engineering, and natural resource information. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours) (3 credit hours).
GE 490

DIRECTED STUDIES AND PROJECTS. Individual studies and/or projects for undergraduates on specific topics. (1-3 credit hours).

GE 503

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY. Chemical interaction between water and aquifer minerals, organic minerals, and contaminants. Prerequisite: CHEM 106. (3 credit hours).

GE 506

GEOMECHANICS FOR GEOLOGISTS. Application of geomechanics to geological problems. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (3 credit hours).

GE 507

REGIONAL GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING. Geological engineering problems associated with each area of the United States . (3 credit hours).

GE 510

REMOTE SENSING. Theory and principles of remote sensing technology; mission design and analysis of remotely sensed data, given cost and technological constraints, for geologic applications. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (1 lecture, 4 lab hours) (3 credit hours).

GE 511

SPATIAL ANALYSIS. GIS analysis of the relationships of mapped features. Course will include application and integration of GIS, image processing, and mathematical modes. (3 credit hours).

GE 513

ECONOMIC GEOLOGY. Study of the formation and classification of ore deposits; exploration techniques; evaluation of reserves; and extraction techniques. Prerequisite: GEOL 303. (3 credit hours).

GE 518

QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN GEOLOGY AND GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING. Quantitative methods in geolgogy and geological engineering. (3 credit hours).

GE 520

GEOLOGY AND GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING COMPUTER APPLICATIONS. The use of computer programs for earth science applications. Prerequisites: GEOL 221, 222, 313, 315, or consent of instructor. (3 credit hours).

GE 535

ADVANCED ROCK MECHANICS. The application of mechanics to solving problems in rock engineering for both surface and underground conditions. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (3 credit hours).

GE 561

DESIGN OF WASTE REPOSITORIES. Assessment of factors that govern site selection, site evaluation, and landfill design. Prerequisite: GE 460 or GE 560.

GE 577

GEOPHYSICS I. Gravity and magnetic theory and methods. (3 credit hours).

GE 591

SPECIAL TOPICS. Lecture or lecture/lab courses on specific topics and on a one-time basis. (1-3 credit hours).


        The courses listed are those recently offered. A complete list of courses may be found         in the Undergraduate Catalog.

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