Geology and Geological Engineering

Welcome! The Department of Geology and Geological Engineering is a diverse department representing both science and engineering disciplines. Graduate and undergraduate education are central to our mission, and our educational efforts are integrated with active faculty research programs in geology, geological engineering, and paleontology.

We offer a BS in geology and an ABET (www.abet.org) accredited BS in geological engineering. In the geology BS  students may choose electives from among four focus areas: paleontology, environmental geology, resource geology, and geospatial technology. The BS in geological engineering  includes training and practice in the areas of ground water, environmental site planning and natural hazards, geomechanics and geotechnics, and mineral and petroleum resources. The department also offers undergraduate minors in geology and geospatial technology.

We offer three graduate degrees in the department: a MS in geology and geological engineering , a MS in paleontology, and a PhD in geology and geological engineering (including paleontology).  Faculty and student research includes projects on ground water, environmental resource protection, geological hazards, geotechnical/engineering geology, energy and mineral resources, geophysics/geodynamics, geochemistry, petroleum geology, stratigraphy, mineralogy/petrology, GIS/remote sensing, paleontology, and structure/tectonics. Opportunities for international research are available through faculty research programs in Turkey, China, Mongolia, Iceland, Brazil, and other locations.

Why SDSM&T is a great place to study geological engineering, geology and paleontology:

• The diverse geology and paleontology of the magnificent Black Hills and adjacent Great Plains are a phenomenal natural classroom and laboratory. 
• Companies respect our strong foundation in geology and engineering, and our focus on field experience and technical training. Graduates of our degree programs are strongly recruited and annual placement rates typically range from 90-100%.
• We emphasize hands-on, field- and lab-based education and run one of the largest summer field camp stations in the United States, with opportunities for study in the Black Hills, Turkey, Nepal, Iceland, and India.
• Graduate and undergraduate students can participate in research in affiliated laboratories including the Sanford Underground Laboratory at Homestake (see also http://www.dusel.org), the SDSM&T Engineering Mining Experiment Station  and the SDSM&T Museum of Geology.

Faculty Position in Geological Engineering