| |  | | Geological Engineering | Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information—Geological Engineering Program, University of Minnesota, Civil Engineering Building, 500 Pillsbury Drive S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-625-5522; fax 612-626-7750; civesgs@umn.edu; www.ce.umn.edu).
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the General Information section of this catalog for Graduate School requirements that apply to all major fields.
Curriculum—Emphases are in fundamental aspects of geomechanics and its applications. Research focuses on the use and development of discrete and continuum theories such as elasticity, plasticity, fracture mechanics, and poroelasticity for solving engineering problems. Numerical methods are being developed for obtaining solutions; experimental methods and novel apparatus are being developed for gathering physical evidence. Applications include processes of comminution, flow of granular materials, hydraulic fracturing, and nondestructive testing. The graduate program in geological engineering is administered in the Department of Civil Engineering. Students interested in pursuing doctoral studies should see the Ph.D. program in civil engineering.
Prerequisites for Admission—A bachelor’s degree in engineering, basic science, or mathematics is preferred. Admission depends primarily on the applicant’s academic record and letters of recommendation. Applicants who lack geological engineering training are often required to complete at least one appropriate course from the undergraduate program. Graduate degree credit is not awarded for such preparatory work. For the M.Geo.E. program, an ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree in geological engineering is required.
Special Application Requirements—Applicants are required to submit results of the GRE in support of their applications. The TOEFL is required of foreign applicants from non-English-speaking countries. A TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper), 213 (computer), or 79 (Internet) is required for admission. Admission requirements also include three letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose that outlines the prospective student’s research interests, reasons for pursuing graduate studies, and career plans after graduation. Students are admitted each semester, but applicants are encouraged to begin fall semester and to submit their applications by December 31 before the year their studies are expected to begin.
Key to test abbreviations (GRE, TOEFL, GMAT, MELAB).
 For an online application or for more information about Graduate School admissions, see the General Information section in this catalog, or visit the Graduate School Web site.
Courses—Refer to Geological Engineering (GEOE) in the course section of this catalog or in Twin Cities Courses on the University Catalog Web site for courses pertaining to the program.
Use of 4xxx Courses—Inclusion of 4xxx department courses on Degree Program Forms is subject to adviser and director of graduate studies approval. Students from other majors may include such courses subject to their own program’s approval. 4xxx courses cannot be required courses for undergrad civil or geological engineering undergraduate majors.
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M.Geo.E. Design Project Degree Requirements | | The master of geological engineering (M.Geo.E.) degree is for the practicing engineer who would like to obtain an advanced degree, enrolling part-time or full-time. Students who intend to proceed to the Ph.D. program or think they may later wish to be admitted to the Ph.D. program should apply for the master of science program. Students are expected to follow a coherent program of coursework selected with the help of a faculty adviser and approved by the director of graduate studies. Students also must demonstrate professional competence by carrying out and defending a design project. The degree typically takes 12 to 18 months, full-time, to complete.
The M.Geo.E. requires at least 30 credits and is offered under two plans. One requires at least 20 course credits and preparation of a design project (10 cr); the design project must be carried out by the student in consultation with a faculty adviser. The other plan is a coursework-only degree program and requires at least 30 course credits. At least 6 of the course credits must be taken outside the department for either plan.
Language Requirements—None.
Final Exam—A final oral exam is required of all M.Geo.E. students.
Minor Requirements for Students Majoring in Other Fields—For a master’s minor, two or more 5xxx to 8xxx courses from the same area of geological engineering are required, for a total of 6 or more credits.
| M.S. Degree Requirements | | The master of science (M.S.) degree balances education in engineering fundamentals and design with research and development. The M.S. degree is for students wishing to pursue a career in industry or to continue toward a Ph.D. degree. Students follow a program selected with the help of a faculty adviser and approved by the director of graduate studies. A program typically takes 18 to 24 months to complete.
The M.S. requires at least 30 credits and is offered under three plans. Plan A emphasizes research and preparation of a thesis; Plan B emphasizes coursework and project; Plan C is coursework only. The thesis is written on a research project carried out in consultation with a faculty adviser. Under Plan B, students complete one to three Plan B papers as determined by the faculty adviser. Plan B papers can include computer programs, annotated bibliographies, field investigations, and analysis/design of special engineering problems. Plan A requires at least 20 course credits and 10 thesis credits. Plan B requires at least 27 course credits and Plan C requires 30 course credits. At least 6 credits of coursework must be from outside the department for all plans.
Language Requirements—None.
Final Exam—The final exam is oral except for plan C.
Minor Requirements for Students Majoring in Other Fields—For a master’s minor, two or more 5xxx to 8xxx courses from geological engineering are required, for a total of 6 or more credits.
| Faculty | | For latest graduate faculty listings, see <www.grad.umn.edu/faculty_rosters/faculty.html>. Key to membership categories (abbreviations after faculty names).
Professor
Roberto Ballarini, SM
Steven L. Crouch, SM
Peter A. Cundall, ASM
Gary A. Davis, M2
Emmanuel M. Detournay, SM
Andrew Drescher, SM
Efi Foufoula-Georgiou, SM
Catherine E. French, SM
Bojan B. Guzina, SM
Miki Hondzo, M2
Joseph F. Labuz, SM
Arturo E. Schultz, M
Carol K. Shield, SM
Henryk K. Stolarski, SM
Otto D. L. Strack, SM
Vaughan R. Voller, SM
Associate Professor
William A. Arnold, M2
Randal J. Barnes, SM
Raymond M. Hozalski, SM
Lev Khazanovich, SM
Timothy M. LaPara, SM
David M. Levinson, M
Mihai O. Marasteanu, SM
Paige J. Novak, M
Fernando Porté-Agel, M2
Assistant Professor
Kimberly Hill, SM
Henry X. Liu, SM
Steven F. Wojtkiewicz, SM
Adjunct Professor
Marc Bonnet, AM2
Senior Research Associate
Sofia G. Mogilevskaya, AM2
Eugene Skok, M2
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