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DEGREE Geological Engineering, BS

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Major in geological engineering

As a geological engineering major, you’ll find the best way to use the earth’s resources to solve technical problems while protecting the environment. As a GLE student, you’ll also learn how to solve a variety of practical problems associated with rock and soils using principles of sustainable engineering.

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At a glance

Civil and environmental engineering department

30
Professors of practice who mentor our students
16
civil engineering undergraduate ranking among public universities
98
Undergraduates placed in a job or post-graduate studies within a year of graduation
Facts & stats

Program and degree information

View the Undergraduate Guide for information on requirements, four-year plans and more.

Determine what kind of student you will be and learn more about what information you need to apply.

Freshman A freshman includes anyone who is currently a student in high school or who has not taken college coursework since graduating from high school.
Transfer Student A transfer student is anyone who has attended another college or university after graduating from high school and wishes to enroll in an undergraduate degree program at UW–Madison.
Cross-campus Student Cross-campus transfer students are students who are currently enrolled in another school or college at UW-Madison who wish to transfer into the College of Engineering.
Reentry Student Students who previously attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison as an undergraduate and would like to complete their first undergraduate degree will need to apply for reentry admission. Reentry students are those who have not been enrolled in courses for a semester or more.

Tuition and segregated fee rates are always listed per semester (not for Fall and Spring combined).

 

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The College of Engineering is committed to recognizing the potential and accomplishments of incoming and enrolled students by supporting their education through a variety of scholarships at the college and departmental level.

 

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Educational Objectives
We recognize that our graduates will choose to use the knowledge and skills that they have acquired during their undergraduate years to pursue a wide variety of career and life goals, and we encourage this diversity of paths. Whatever path our graduates may choose, we expect them to be meeting the following objectives at least three to five years after graduation.

  1. apply geological engineering principles, analyses, and synthesis to design and implement projects in the natural and built environment;
  2. incorporate economic, environmental, political, ethical, social, safety, and global considerations to generate sustainable solutions in the natural and built environment;
  3. exhibit strong communication, leadership, and teamwork skills;
  4. serve others through professional responsibility and participation in professional and public activities and good citizenship; and
  5. demonstrate a continuing commitment to and interest in their own and others’ education.

Learning Outcomes

  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Degrees

Our Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

View the UW-Madison Guide for information on all geological engineering courses.

 

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Student doing thermal conductivity testing.

Geological engineering spotlight: Sydney Klinzing reflects on undergrad research and student life

A native of Monona, Wisconsin, Sydney Klinzing became familiar with UW-Madison at a young age. Campus events including the UW-Madison Engineering Expo and Saturday Science at the Discovery Building piqued…

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