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Geotechnical Engineering
Overview
Geotechnical engineering programs prepare people to use math and science to study systems used to alter Earth's surface.Geotechnical engineering programs include topics such as:
- Soil mechanics
- Soil dynamics
- Waste management and containment systems
- Earthquake engineering
- Geochemistry
Schools
Community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in geotechnical engineering. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. After earning an associate degree, students can transfer to a college or university for further study.
Very few colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in geotechnical engineering. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four or five years of full-time study.
A few universities offer graduate degrees in geotechnical engineering. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Civil Engineering
- Construction Engineering
- Engineering Mechanics
- Engineering Technology, General
- Engineering, General
- Geochemistry
- Geological and Earth Sciences
- Geological and Geophysical Engineering
- Hydrology and Water Resources Science
- Petroleum Technology
- Pre-Engineering
- Transportation and Highway Engineering
- Water Resources Engineering
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
- Civil Engineers
- Energy Engineers
- Geologists and Geophysicists
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Mining Engineers
- Petroleum Engineers
Other Careers Related to this Program of Study
- Agricultural Engineers
- Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Engineering Technicians
- Environmental Engineers
- Photonics Engineers
- Robotics Engineers
- Validation Engineers
- Wind Energy Engineers
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Biology
- Calculus
- Chemistry
- Computer Science and Programming
- English Composition
- Physics
- Trigonometry
Graduate Admissions
Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree in geology or engineering, good grades, and good test scores.
Additional requirements at some schools include:
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
- Letters of recommendation
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
An undergraduate program in engineering typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Calculus
- Chemistry
- Dynamics
- Engineering Physics
- English Composition
- Introduction to Computer Science
- Linear Algebra
- Linear Differential Equations
- Senior Design Project
- Statistics
- Strength of Materials
To prepare for a career in geotechnical engineering, you would need to study some of these subjects either as an undergraduate or in a master's program:
- General Geology for Engineers
- Introduction to Geological Engineering
- Structural Geology
- Fluid Mechanics
- Geological Materials Engineering
- Soil Mechanics
- Geotechnical Analysis
- Foundation Engineering
Graduate Program Courses
A master's program typically includes the following:
- Required courses
- Thesis
Things to Know
Most engineering jobs require a lot of writing and clear communication. Taking writing and other humanities courses will develop your communication skills.
Some bachelor's programs combine work experience with classes, and may take five or six years to complete. This work experience teaches skills, helps build job contacts, and you may be paid while you work.
To become licensed by your state to work as an engineer, you must have a degree from an accredited engineering program. You also need several years of work experience and must pass an exam. Many people take the exam at the same time they graduate or soon after.
Schools
East Side Area
Washington State University - Pullman
- Civil Engineering--Infrastructure Engineering Option