PHD in Geology and Geological Engineering
The PhD requires 80 credits including at least 50 credits of course work and sufficient research credits to meet the total credit requirement. Students holding an MS degree may apply 24 course credits and 6 research credits from the MS degree to the PhD if their committee agrees. Students must elect to complete either a Geology Specialization (includes Paleontology) or a Geological Engineering Specialization.
Students with substantial undergraduate deficiencies may be temporarily placed into the MS program until these deficiencies are completed and a PhD qualifying exam (required of all PhD candidates) is passed.
Geology Specialization
Background Requirements
Students with missing background requirements will develop a deficiency plan with their advisor to meet the deficiencies prior to taking the PhD qualifying exam, through a combination of undergraduate course work and/or independent study.
• Two semesters each of Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry
• Physical Geology
• Mineralogy
• Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
• Petrology
• Structural Geology
• Field Geology
Degree Requirements
Core Courses:
GEOL 633 Sedimentation
GEOL 604 Advanced Field Geology
GEOL 808 Fundamental Problems in Geol/GeoE
One course from:
GEOL 517 Geospatial Databases
GEOL 519 Advanced Geospatial Analysis
GEOE 766 Digital Modeling of Ground Water
MEM 533 Computer Applications in Geoscience Modeling
One course from:
GEOL 621 Advanced Structural Geology
GEOL 622 Geotectonics
One course from:
GEOE 626 Environmental Geophysics
GEOE 641 Geochemistry
GEOE 664 Advanced Ground Water
GEOL 652 Problems in Ore Deposits
Geological Engineering Specialization
Background Requirements
Students with missing background requirements will develop a deficiency plan with their advisor to meet the deficiencies prior to taking the PhD qualifying exam, through a combination of undergraduate course work and/or independent study.
• Physical Geology or Geology for Engineers
• Mineralogy
• Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
• Structural Geology
• Statics
• Mechanics of Materials
• Fluid Mechanics
Degree Requirements
All Ph.D. students in the Geological Engineering specialization are expected to focus in one of the three areas of groundwater/ environmental, geomechanics, or energy/mineral resources. Recommended courses for each focus are listed below.
Required of all GEOE students:
GEOE 766 Digital Modeling of Ground Water
GEOL 633 Sedimentation
GEOL 808 Fundamental Problems in Geol/GeoE
Ground Water and Environmental Focus:
GEOE 664 Advanced Ground Water
GEOE 641 Geochemistry
GEOE 663 Ground-Water Geochemistry
CEE 634 Surface Water Hydrology
CEE 523 Environmental Systems Analysis
GEOL 517 Geospatial Databases
GEOL 519 Advanced Geospatial Analysis
CEE 730 Statistical Methods in Water Resources
CEE 731 Topics in Water Quality Assessment
CEE 526 Environmental Engineering
Physical/Chemical Process Design
CEE 621 Env. Contaminant Fate and Transport
CHEM 480 Toxicology
Geomechanics Focus:
GEOE 668 Eng. Geology of Surficial Deposits
CEE 647 Earth Structures
CEE 646 Stability of Soil and Rock Slopes
CEE 643 Advanced Soil Mechanics I
MEM 550 Rock Slope Engineering
MINE 512 Rock Mechanics III
GEOE 664 Advanced Ground Water
CEE 645 Advanced Foundations
CEE 647 Earth and Earth Retaining Structures
CEE 784 Modeling and Comp in Civil Engr
Energy and Mineral Resources Focus:
GEOE 525 Engineering Geophysics II
GEOE 531 Principles of Well Logging
GEOE 552 Geochemical Exploration
GEOE 661 Petroleum Geology
GEOL 652 Problems in Ore Deposits
GEOL 513 Ore Microscopy
GEOE 626 Environmental Geophysics
GEOE 641 Geochemistry
MEM 533 Comp App in Geoscience Modeling
GEOE 665 Bioremediation of Hazardous Materials
GEOE 663 Ground-Water Geochemistry
CEE 725 Treatment, Disposal, and Management of Hazardous Waste
GEOL 650 Seminar in Ore Deposits
CEE 784 Modeling and Comp in Civil Engr
