Geological Engineering Curriculum
Geological Engineering Electives
Facilities
Courses
2212 Engineering Hall, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI 53706; 608/262 3491; www.engr.wisc.edu/interd/gep
Professors Edil (program chair) (Civil and Environmental Engineering), Anderson (Geology and Geophysics), Bahr (Geology and Geophysics), Benson (Civil and Environmental Engineering), Bosscher (Civil and Environmental Engineering), Goodwin (Geology and Geophysics), Kung (Soil Science), Haimson (Material Science and Engineering), Plesha (Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics), Potter (Civil and Environmental Engineering), Wang (Geology and Geophysics); Associate Professor Tikoff (Geology and Geophysics), Wu (Civil and Environmental Engineering); Assistant Professors Fratta (Civil and Environmental Engineering), Loheide (Civil and Environmental Engineering), Graettinger (Civil and Environmental Engineering)Geological engineering combines the knowledge of geology and engineering in order to facilitate suitable utilization of the earth's resources while protecting the environment. Recent advances in science and technology that affect the soil, rock and groundwater beneath have contributed to an increased demand for geological engineers. Examples of the many modern industrial activities that require engineers with a strong geology background for the proper design and maintenance of facilities are: underground excavations, such as for mining or hydroelectric power houses, large dams, foundations, highways and railroads, subsurface space for offices or storage, disposal of hazardous wastes, aquifer remediation, petroleum and geothermal energy extraction, mitigation of landslides and other geological hazards.
Geological engineering graduates typically also obtain a dual degree in geology and seek both P.E. and P.G. registration. They find employment with a wide variety of organizations including construction companies, consulting firms, mining and petroleum producers, environmental and water resources agencies, and federal laboratories. It is one of the very few engineering professions that enable one to spend at least part of the time outdoors. Students in geological engineering receive a broad interdisciplinary education emphasizing geology, groundwater, soil and rock mechanics and remote sensing. The program is interdisciplinary and is administered by the College of Engineering in cooperation with the Department of Geology and Geophysics.
Math 221 Calculus and Analytical Geometry, GCR
Chem 109 General Chemistry, GCR
Geol 202 Introduction to Geologic Structures, 4 cr
Communications Elective "A"/GCR
Math 222 Calculus and Analytical Geometry, GCR
Geol 204 Evolution of the Earth, 4 cr
EMA 201 Statics, GCR
GLE 171 Introduction to Geological Engineering, GCR
Math 234 Calculus—Functions of Several Variables, 3 cr
GLE 291 Problem Solving Using Computer Tools, 3 cr
Liberal Elective, 3 cr
EMA 202 Dynamics, 3 cr
Stat 224, Statistics, 3 cr
EPD 275, Technical Presentations, 2 cr
Physics 202 General Physics, 5 cr
CEE 310 Fluid Mechanics, 3 cr
EMA 303 Mechanics of Materials, 3 cr
Geology 203, Earth Materials, 5 cr
GLE 330 Soil Mechanics, 4 cr
EPD 397, Technical Writing, 3 cr
GLE 474 Rock Mechanics, 3 cr
Geol 303 Fluids and Sedimentary Processes, 3 cr
GLE 475 Rock Mechanics Applications to Environmental Problems, 3 cr
Geol 455 Structural Geology, 3 cr
Technical Electives, 6 cr
IE 313, Engr Economic Analysis, 3 cr
Liberal Elective, 3 cr
Geol 478 Introduction to Geological Engineering Design, 1 cr
Geol 594 and 595, 4 cr
GLE 627 Hydrology, 4 cr
Technical Electives, 3 cr
Liberal Electives, 3 cr
Fund. Of Engr. Exam (Fall or Spring)
GLE 479 Geological Engineering Design, 3 cr
Technical Electives, 6 cr
Professional, Ethical, Sustainability, 3 cr
Liberal Elective, 4 cr Fund. Of Engr. Exam (Fall or Spring)
Note: Double Major in GLE and Geology and Geophysics
Students who are pursuing a double major with geology and geophysics will need to earn at least 4 additional geology and geophysics credits in an intermediate/advanced course (not including the required cross-listed courses GLE 475, 594, 595, and 627 listed under Required Geological Engineering). The course used for these credits must be among those approved for the G&G course as one of the technical electives listed under Section H.
Students must take at least 15 credits in the Technical Electives category, with a minimum of two courses from the Geomechanics Electives category and a minimum of two courses from the Geoenvironment Electives category. Courses in the "cross-cutting" category can be used as Geotechnics Electives or Geoenvironment Electives. All students must complete at least 2 designated design courses (noted as D).
GLE 530 Seepage and Slopes, 3 cr (D)
GLE 531 Retaining Structures, 3 cr (D)
GLE 532 Foundations, 3 cr (D)
GLE 735 Soil Dynamics, 3 cr
CEE 315 Hydrology, 3 cr
CEE 320 Environmental Engineering, 3 cr
CEE 427 Solid Waste Engineering, 3 cr (D)
CEE 357 An Intro To Geographic Info Systems, 4 cr
CEE 555 Air Photo Interpretation for Terrain Eval, 2 cr
CEE 556 Remote Sensing Image interpretation for Terrain Eval, 3 cr
CEE 655 Computerized Land Info Systems, 3 cr
Envir St 575 Analysis of Environmental Impact, 3 cr
Geog 336 Our Hazardous Environment, 3 cr
Geology 302 Physics & Chem of the Earth's Interior, 3 cr
Geology 320 Geomorphology, 3 cr
Geology 410 Minerals as a Public Problem, 3 cr
Geology 411 Energy Resources, 3 cr
Geology 420 Glacial and Pleistocene Geology, 3 cr
Geology 421 Applied Surficial Geology, 3 cr
Geology 456 Geologic Field Methods, 2 cr
Geology 457 Conducted Field Trip, 2 cr
Geology 459 Field Geology, 6 cr
Geology 515 Principles of Economic Geology, 4 cr
Geology 629 Contaminant Hydrogeology, 3 cr (D)
GLE 633 Waste Geotechnics, 3 cr (D)
GLE 635 Remediation Geotechnics, 3 cr (D)
Soil Sci 321 Soil & Environmental Chemistry, 2 cr
Soil Sci 324 Soils & Environmental Quality, 3 cr
GLE 301 Practicum in Finite Elements, 3 cr
GLE 302 Intro to Aerial Phographic Systems, 1 cr
GLE 303 Intro to Rem Sens Digital Image Proc, 1 cr
GLE 304 Rem Sens visual image interp & GIS EMA 405 Practicum in Finite Elements, 3 cr
GLE 476 Field Methods in Geological Engineering, 3 cr
GLE 512 Groundwater Hydraulics, 3 cr
GLE 514 Coastal Engineering, 3 cr
GLE 596 Electrical & Electromagnetic Methods, 3 cr
GLE 597 Borehole Geophysics, 3 cr
GLE 730 Engineering Properties of Soils, 3 cr
GLE 731 Properties of Geosynthetics, 2 cr
EPD 275 Technical Presentations, 2 cr
EPD 397 Technical Writing, 3 cr
Students who do not test out of Part A of the UW-Madison General Education Requirement for Communications Skills must also take one of the following courses:
EPD 155 Basic Communication, 2 cr
Ag Jour 100 Intro to Communication, 3 cr
Com Arts 100 Intro to Speech Composition, 3 cr
English 100, Freshman Composition, 3 cr
English 118, ESL: English Composition, 3 cr
ILS 200, Critical Thinking and Expression, 3 cr
Students who test out of Part A of the UW General Education Requirement for Communications Skills must take 2 credits selected from one or more of the following: (1) Technical/Natural Science Course(s), (2) Liberal Studies Course(s), or (3) Communication Skills Course(s).
Technical/Natural Science Courses are defined as course(s) in the College of Engineering that do not carry social science or humanities credit, or any other technical/natural science course, numbered above 240 on the UW Madison campus that is classified as B, P, or N in the Timetable.
The College Liberal Studies Guidelines are followed.
The Geological Engineering Program utilizes laboratories that are shared with other departments. They include:
Rock Mechanics Lab
Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Labs
Land Information and Surveying Labs
Fluid Mechanics Lab
Materials Testing Lab
Geology and Hydrogeology Labs
1 Cooperative Education Program. I, II, SS; 1 cr. Work experience which combines classroom theory with practical knowledge of operations to provide students with a background upon which to base a professional career in industry. P: So st.
171 Introduction to Geological Engineering. II; 1 cr. Comprehensive introduction to engineering applications of earth sciences. Exploitation and management of geologic resources; mitigation of geologic hazards such as landslides and earthquakes; abatement of environmental problems such as land and water pollution; design of surface and underground excavations; principal methods of geological engineering. P: Open to Fr.
291 Problem Solving Using Computer Tools. (Crosslisted with Civ Engr) I, II; 3 cr. Introduction to engineering computations with emphasis on computer tools and computer based measurement, data collection, and processing. Tools will include computer aided drafting, spreadsheets, other engineering computation tools, and hardware and software for laboratory and spatial measurements. P: EMA 202 or 304.
330 Soil Mechanics. (Crosslisted with Civ Engr) I, II; 4 cr. Basic principles of soil mechanics and fundamentals of application in engineering practice; soil composition and texture; classification; permeability and seepage; consolidation; settlement; shear strength; lateral earth pressures; fundamentals of retaining structures, shallow and deep foundations, slope stability; sub-surface exploration; lab. P: EMA 303 or 304 & Civ Engr 310 or con reg.
401 Special Topics in Geological Engineering. Irr.; 1-3 cr. Course will focus on a variety of topics in the field of geological engineering. P: Jr st.
462 Geologic Hazards. (Crosslisted with Geology) Irr.; 3 cr (D). Recognition, characterization and mitigation of geologic hazards. Topics include: landslides, flooding, coastal hazards, earthquakes and volcanic hazards. Technical reports, group presentations and a final mitigation design project. P: GLE/Civ Engr 330 or Geology 455 or GLE/MS&E 474.
474 Rock Mechanics. (Crosslisted with MS&E) I; 3 cr (A). Classification of rock masses, stress and strain in rock, elastic and time-dependent behavior of rock, state of stress in rock masses, failure mechanisms, lab testing, geological and engineering applications. P: EMA 201 or 214, 304, or cons inst.
475 Rock Mechanics Applications to Environmental Problems. (Crosslisted with MS&E, Geology) II; 3 cr (A). Classification of rock for specific engineering purposes, in situ testing, applications to surface mining and slope stability, applications to underground mining and excavations, applications to waste disposal and underground storage, applications to novel methods of in situ mining, applications to earthquakes. P: MS&E 474 or cons inst.
476 Field Methods in Geological Engineering. I; Odd yrs.; 3 cr (D). Methods of site investigations for the rational design of structures in rocks and soil. Field reconnaissance, exploratory drilling, in situ testing, during and post-excavation monitoring. P: CEE 330 & Geol Engr 474, or cons inst.
477 Geological Engineering Analysis. Irr.; 2 cr (D). Analysis, design, and use of computers for geological engineering projects. Computer-aided engineering facilities, and use of general productivity and engineering softwares. Demonstration of numerical methods in the solution of geological engineering and related problems. Case study of a complex project and a large-scale engineering analysis computer program. P: Comp Sci 302 & GeolEngr/MS&E 474 or cons inst.
478 Introduction to Geological Engineering Design. I; 1 cr. Review of geological engineering design projects. Discussion of design processes, team approaches, and ethics in geological engineering practice. Preparation of a project proposal, data gathering and planning. P: GLE 475 or senior standing in GLE, or cons inst.
479 Geological Engineering Design. II; 3 cr. A practical problem in an area of geological engineering (such as development of a geologic resource or design of a structure in soil and/or rock) is selected and then the principles and processes of design and analysis are applied to the solution of the problem. P: Sr st & cons inst.
530 Seepage and Slopes. (Crosslisted with Civ Engr) I or II; 3 cr. Practical aspects of seepage effects and ground water flow. Stability of natural and man-made slopes under various loading conditions. Design and construction of earth dams and embankments. Flow net and its use; wells; filters; total and effective stress methods of slope analysis; selection of pertinent soil parameters. P: Civ Engr 330.
531 Retaining Structures. (Crosslisted with Civ Engr) I or II; 3 cr. Rigid and flexible earth retaining structures. Analysis and design of retaining walls, anchored bulkheads, braced cuts, tie back cuts, mechanically stabilized earth, and slurry trench walls. Lateral earth pressure due to soil, water, surcharge loads, etc., local and overall stability and the design of anchorage and bracing systems. P: Civ Engr 330; Comp Sci 310 or cons inst.
532 Foundations. (Crosslisted with Civ Engr) I or II; 3 cr. Shallow and deep foundations. Analysis and design of footings, mats, piers and piles, and related fill and excavation operations. Consolidation settlement, time rate of settlement, stress distribution, elastic (immediate) settlement, load bearing capacity; methods to reduce settlements and increase shear strength; the selection of a foundation system. P: Civ Engr 330 & Comp Sci 310 or cons inst.
555 Airphoto Interpretation for Terrain Evaluation. (Crosslisted with Geology, Civ Engr) Alt yrs.; I; 2 cr (P-I). Determination of soil, bedrock, and drainage characteristics of land areas by airphoto interpretation; physical characteristics of landforms; use of airphoto interpretation for engineering soil surveys, land use suitability evaluation, and land use planning. P: Civ Engr 301 & one of the following: Geology 100 or 101, or Geog/Envir St 120 or 127.
577 Tunneling. Irr.; 3 cr (D). Overview of tunneling practice in rocks and soft ground. Geological aspects and major technical problems in tunneling. Various tunneling methods and selections. Design and support of tunnels in soft ground and rock. P: GeolEngr 330 & 475 or cons inst.
594 Introduction to Applied Geophysics. (Crosslisted with Geology) I; 3 cr (D). Survey of applied geophysics, including seismic refraction, seismic reflection, electrical resistivity, gravity, and magnetics methods. The course will cover the basic physics of each method and modeling techniques and field procedures. P: 1 yr of college calc, 1 yr of college physics.
595 Field Methods in Applied and Engineering Geophysics. (Crosslisted with Geology) I; 1 cr (A). The application of geophysical field methods for delineating near-surface features and/or structures as applied to engineering, environmental and exploration problems. Prereq 1 yr coll calc, 1 yr coll physics or EMA 201, 202 & Physics 202, prev or con reg in GLE/Geology 594.
596 Electrical and Electromagnetic Methods in Applied Geophysics. Alt yrs.; II; 3 cr. The use of electrical and electromagnetic fields for determining subsurface characteristics with an emphasis on solving engineering and exploration problems. Topics include the resistivity, induced polarization, electromagnetic induction, magnetotelluric and ground penetrating radar methods. P: 1 yr coll calc, 1 yr coll physics or EMA 201, 202 & Physics 202, GLE/Geol 594.
597 Borehole Geophysics. Alt yrs.; II; 3 cr. Examines the use of borehole geophysical techniques to characterize geological materials, structures, and formation fluids in the region surrounding a well bore. Applications include formation evaluation for oil exploration, hydrologic, environmental, and mineral deposit characterization, and geoengineering analysis. P: 1 yr coll calc, 1 yr coll physics or EMA 201, 202 & Physics 202, GLE/Geology 594.
627 Hydrogeology. (Crosslisted with Geology) I; 3-4 cr (I). Mathematical treatment of the physical principles governing the flow of groundwater; emphasis on well hydraulics and flow system analysis; problem sets and class projects. P: Intro course in geol, Jr st & Math 221 or equiv.
629 Contaminant Hydrogeology. (Crosslisted with Geology) II; 3 cr (A). Physical and chemical processes governing the transport of solutes in groundwater; application of hydrogeologic and geochemical theory and practice to the protection of aquifers from contamination; problem sets and group projects. P: Geology 627 and college level chemistry or cons inst.
633 Waste Geotechnics. (Crosslisted with Civ Engr) I or II; 3 cr. The geotechnical aspects of waste disposal and storage. Critical aspects of geotechnical design, construction, and testing relevant to the performance of earthen structures used for the storage and disposal of wastes or the remediation of contaminated sites are discussed. P: Civ Engr 330 & 320 or cons inst.
635 Remediation Geotechnics. (Crosslisted with Civ Engr) I or II; 3 cr. Geotechnical practice for remediation of sites containing contaminated soil and groundwater is discussed. Topics include non-invasive and invasive subsurface exploration techniques, methods to monitor for the presence of contaminants in the saturated and unsaturated zones, and geotechnically-oriented remedial action technologies. P: Civ Engr 320 & 330.
641 Fractures in Geologic Materials. (Crosslisted with Geology) Irr.; 3 cr (A). Principles of fracture mechanics applied to geologic materials and role of fractures in fluid flow. Analysis of faults, dikes, joints, veins, solution surfaces and other fractures. Field trip; presentation and discussion of rock fracture literature; final paper. P: GLE 474 or Geology 455.
699 Independent Study. 1-3 cr (A). P: Cons inst.