SEAS offers Geological Engineering

by Florence Mui

Geological Engineering will be offered by the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) as a program leading to a Bachelors of Science, starting in Autumn 1995. Geological Engineering is the application of science and engineering skills to problems involving the earth and its natural resources. Close attention will be paid to exploration for mineral, energy and ground water resources within the earth, and the design of structures within earth's crust for waste storage. The Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Mining Engineering wants to attract students to Geological Engineering because it is a field that presently is in need of qualified professionals to deal with environmental problems as the world faces an increasing demand for materials and energy. Areas of elective concentrations include environmental science and engineering, mineral resource economics and management, geotechnical engineering, and rock mechanics.

The required courses for a Geological Engineering major are very similar to those for Mining Engineering. As the name entails, Geological Engineering will include more Geology courses while neglecting some courses required for Mining. Since Geological Engineering uses mines and well systems to solve environmental problems, students will take mining classes and participate in the 3-week Summer Field Work that Mining students are required to take between their junior and senior years. Currently, the Geological Engineering curriculum does not have a Design Project requirement, and therefore is not accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). It will perhaps take about a year or two for Geological Engineering at Columbia to gain the board's accreditation. Differing from the Environmental Engineering Option offered by the Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Geological Engineering applies engineering skills to not only synthetic materials, but also to rocks.

This new program is designed not only for SEAS students, but also Columbia College and Barnard students who are interested in participating in the 5-year Combined Plan to obtain a B.A. in Geology and a B.S. in Geological Engineering. Both programs have required common courses. Taking Geological Engineering would mean mastering more difficult math and sciences.

Geological Engineering is looking for students with potential in problem solving, a concern for the environment, and a love for studying the earth! Interested students can contact Professor Tuncel Yegulalp at yegulalp@columbia.edu or 854-2984 for more information.


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