Program: Geological Engineering, B.S. in Geol. Eng. - University of Nevada, Reno

University General Course Catalog 2015-2016

Apr 26, 2025

Description

A truly interdisciplinary degree program, geological engineering applies physics, chemistry, meteorology, hydrology, biology, geology and engineering science to understanding Environment Earth, recognizing and coping with environmental hazards, exploiting natural resources while preserving the environment, and exploring Earth’s context in the solar system. The primary goal of the geological engineering program is to produce a professional who is uniquely skilled in solving problems in multiple technical disciplines.

Seniors are required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (formerly Engineers-in-Training) examination. Students are required to meet with their advisors for program approval and for review of academic progress at least once each semester.

The Geological engineering program for the baccalaureate degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org .

Contact Information

401 Laxalt Mineral Engineering Building
Phone: (775) 784-6050

Jennifer O’Neil, (freshman, sophomore, and new transfer students) - joneil@unr.edu

Graduation Requirements

Total Units	120
Cumulative GPA	2.0
University GPA	2.0
Major GPA	2.0
Residency Requirement	30 Upper-Division Units at UNR
Major Residency Requirement	15 Upper-Division Units in the major at UNR
Upper-Division Requirement	40 Upper-Division Units
Half Program Units/4 Year Institution	60 Units

I. University Core Curriculum Requirements (37-45 units)

NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter of this catalog for information regarding the “Core English and Math Completion Policy”.

A. English (3-8 units)

Refer to the “English” section of the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

NOTE: Students who place in ENG 102 are not required to complete ENG 101 .

B. Mathematics (4 units)

Refer to the “Mathematics” section of the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

MATH 181 - Calculus I (4 units)

C. Natural Sciences (8 units)

PHYS 180 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (3 units) AND
PHYS 180L - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Laboratory I (1 unit)
PHYS 181 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (3 units) AND
PHYS 181L - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Laboratory II (1 unit)

D. Social Sciences (3 units)

WMST 101 - Introduction to Women’s Studies (3 units) satisfies both the Core Social Sciences and Diversity requirements.

If either DAN 266 or THTR 210 is chosen to satisfy the Core Diversity requirement, then refer to the “Social Sciences” section of the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

E. Fine Arts (3 units)

Choose one of the following to satisfy both the Fine Arts and Diversity requirements.

DAN 266 - History of Dance II: 20th Century (3 units) satisfies both the Core Fine Arts and Diversity requirements.
THTR 210 - Theatre: a Cultural Context (3 units) satisfies both the Core Fine Arts and Diversity requirements.

If WMST 101 is chosen to fulfill the Diversity requirement, then refer to the “Fine Arts” section of the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

F. Core Humanities (9 units)

Refer to the “Core Humanities” section of the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

G. Capstone Courses (7 units)

GE 487 - Geological Engineering Design (4 units)
CEE 443 - Foundation Engineering Design (3 units)

H. Diversity (0-3)

Choose one of the following to satisfy the Diversity requirement and either the Social Sciences or Fine Arts requirement:

WMST 101 - Introduction to Women’s Studies (3 units) satisfies both Diversity and Social Sciences requirements.
DAN 266 - History of Dance II: 20th Century (3 units) satisfies both Diversity and Fine Arts requirements.
THTR 210 - Theatre: a Cultural Context (3 units) satisfies both Diversity and Fine Arts requirements.

II. Additional Requirements (0 units)

III. Major Requirements (80 units)

IV. Minor Requirements (0 units)

V. Electives (0-3 units)

VI. Recommended Schedule

A. First Year

First Semester (16 units)

ENG 101 - Composition I (3 units)
GE 106 - Introduction to Geological Engineering (2 units)
GEOL 101 - General Geology (4 units)
MATH 181 - Calculus I (4 units)
Core Curriculum Social Sciences/Diversity (3 units)

Second Semester (14 units)

CHEM 121A - General Chemistry I (3 units)
CHEM 121L - General Chemistry Laboratory I (1 unit)
ENG 102 - Composition II (3 units)
MATH 182 - Calculus II (4 units)
GE 280 - Urban Geology (3 units)

B. Second Year

First Semester (14 units)

CH 201 - Ancient and Medieval Cultures (3 units)
GEOL 211 - Earth Materials and Geochemistry I (3 units)
MATH 283 - Calculus III (4 units)
PHYS 180 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (3 units)
PHYS 180L - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Laboratory I (1 unit)

Second Semester (16 units)

CH 202 - The Modern World (3 units)
GEOL 212 - Earth Mat & Geochem II (3 units)
PHYS 181 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (3 units)
PHYS 181L - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Laboratory II (1 unit)
MATH 285 - Differential Equations (3 units)
CEE 241 - Statics (3 units) OR
ME 241 - Statics (3 units)

C. Third Year

First Semester (16 units)

CEE 372 - Mechanics of Solids (3 units)
GEOL 332 - Struc Tec, Erth Phys I (4 units)
GE 385 - Geological Engineering Data Analysis (3 units)
CH 203 - American Experiences and Constitutional Change (3 units)
ENGR 360 - Introduction to Fluid Mechanics (3 units) OR
MINE 350 - Applied Fluids, Pumping and Drainage (3 units) OR
GEOL 414 - Hydrologic Fluid Dynamics (3 units)

Second Semester (15 units)

CEE 442 - Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering (4 units)
GE 479 - Earthquake Engineering (3 units)
Core Curriculum Fine Arts/Diversity (3 units)
ENGR 301 - Engineering Communication and Societal Integration (3 units) OR
COM 101 - Oral Communication (3 units)
GEOL 450 - Field Methods (2 units) OR
GEOL 260 - Introductory Field Geology (2 units)

D. Fourth Year

First Semester (13 units)

ENGR 490 - Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (0 units)
CEE 443 - Foundation Engineering Design (3 units)
GE 404 - Introduction to Aerospace Remote Sensing (3 units)
GE 483 - Geological Engineering Slope Stability (4 units)
GE 484 - Groundwater Hydrology (3 units)

Second Semester (16 units)

GE 485 - Waste Containment (4 units)
GE 487 - Geological Engineering Design (4 units)
GPH 492 - Applied Geophysics (4 units)
MINE 448 - Rock Mechanics (4 units)

Geological Engineering, B.S. in Geol. Eng.

Description

Contact Information

Graduation Requirements

I. University Core Curriculum Requirements (37-45 units)

A. English (3-8 units)

B. Mathematics (4 units)

C. Natural Sciences (8 units)

D. Social Sciences (3 units)

E. Fine Arts (3 units)

F. Core Humanities (9 units)

G. Capstone Courses (7 units)

H. Diversity (0-3)

II. Additional Requirements (0 units)

III. Major Requirements (80 units)

A. Chemistry (4 units)

B. Geological Engineering (25 units)

C. Geology courses (20 units)

D. Civil, Mechanical and Mining Engineering (17 units)

E. Mathematics (11 units)

F. Communication (3 units)

G. Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (0 units)

IV. Minor Requirements (0 units)

V. Electives (0-3 units)

VI. Recommended Schedule

A. First Year

First Semester (16 units)

Second Semester (14 units)

B. Second Year

First Semester (14 units)

Second Semester (16 units)

C. Third Year

First Semester (16 units)

Second Semester (15 units)

D. Fourth Year

First Semester (13 units)

Second Semester (16 units)