geological engineering master's student doing hands-on research

Geological Engineering Master's

Master of Science (M.S.)

Tackle challenges in petroleum and geothermal energy, mineral production, geoenvironmental concerns, and natural hazards.

Conduct geological engineering research in UND's state-of-the-art facilities. UND is home to the state's core library and the largest geoscience libraries in the Upper Midwest.

Program type:
Master's Degree
Format:
On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:
2 years
Credit hours:
30-34

Why earn a master's in Geological Engineering?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
March 1* | Aug. 1
Spring:
Sept. 1* | Dec. 1

*Priority deadline

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

The graduate Geological Engineering program at the University of North Dakota provides access to the region's most comprehensive set geological samples.

Areas of geological research emphasis include:

  • Hydrogeology and environmental geology
  • Economic geology of petroleum, coal and mineral resources
  • Sedimentology, stratigraphy and paleontology
  • Geomorphology and glacial geology
  • Petrology and geochemistry
  • Geophysics and tectonics
  • Interdisciplinary geological projects involving several research areas, including: integrated basin analysis, surface mining and reclamation, and underground coal gasification
  • Geomechanics
  • Geotechnical engineering
  • Energy geotechnics

Choose from a non-thesis (34 credits) or thesis track (30 credits). If you finish the non-thesis track, you'll be equipped to work in applied engineering fields. If you complete a thesis, you'll have the skills necessary to pursue a Ph.D in geological engineering.

Geological Engineering Master's at UND

  • Work side-by-side with faculty who have active research grants totaling more than $8 million from several government, industry and state sources.

  • Conduct research at North Dakota's Willard M. Laird Core and Sample Library. The library is a vast resource containing 40,000 cores from nearly every oil well drilled in North Dakota.

  • Get access to the F.D. Holland Jr. Geology Library. It is one of the largest geoscience libraries in the Upper Midwest.

  • Harold Hamm, Chairman and CEO of Continental Resources, provides financial support to assist students in earth sciences and provide the School with cutting-edge resources.

  • Enhance your professional skills at 60+ free workshops offered through the UND School of Graduate Studies. Our goal is to provide you with the workforce skills and job search strategies to succeed.

  • Study at a Carnegie R1 Institution ranked #151 by the NSF. Students are an integral part of UND research.

What can you do with a Geological Engineering master's?

101k

Median annual salary for mining and geological engineers, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Graduates of UND's graduate geological engineering program play critical roles in many industries, including mining, energy exploration, education and more. Experts are in demand in a range of jobs including:

  • Environmental engineering
  • Geological engineering
  • Petroleum geologist
  • Hydrogeology
  • Remote sensing/GIS
  • Mining
  • Mapping and surveying
  • Teaching engineering

Geological Engineering Master's Courses

GEOE 555. Advanced Rock Mechanics. 3 Credits.

Fundamentals of rock mechanics, elasticity theory of rock, failure criterion of rocks, laboratory and field testing methods, field instrumentation, the applications of rock mechanics in mining, tunneling and rock slopes engineering, and the applications of numerical methods in rock mechanics. Prerequisite: GEOE 323 and ENGR 203. F.

GEOE 591. Advanced Subsurface Energy Recovery in Engineering. 3 Credits.

This course describes technologies that can be applied to further recover from the subsurface energy resource in EOR/EGR and EGS, include renewable geothermal resource, hydrogen storage, CCUS, and hydrocarbons - oil/gas, that cannot be produced by primary or second extraction. Development of these processes requires significant technological advances in our understanding of subsurface mining from energy reservoirs and may be the stimulus for future technological development. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of Multivariable Calculus, Introductory Chemistry, and Petrophysics. S.

GEOE 417. Hydrogeology. 3 Credits.

Physical and chemical aspects of groundwater movement, supply, and contamination. Prerequisite: MATH 165. F.

GEOL 515. Advanced Paleontology. 3 Credits.

Selected topics include (but not limited to): Invertebrate paleontology; vertebrate paleontology; paleoecology; taxonomy; museum studies; western continental stratigraphy; critical boundaries. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Demonstrable knowledge in invertebrate and/or vertebrate paleontology and organismal biology. Repeatable to 40.00 credits. On demand.

GEOL 500. Sedimentary Geology. 1-4 Credits.

Selected topics in sedimentary geology, such as sedimentary processes, carbonate petrology, clastic petrology, and basin analysis. May be repeated up to 12 credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Repeatable to 12.00 credits. F.

GEOL 506. Glacial Geology. 4 Credits.

Origin, growth, and movement of glaciers; landforms and deposits incident to glaciation. 3 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory time per week. Prerequisite: GEOL 311.

Online Master's in Geological Engineering

+160

online graduate programs

#1

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

Continue to live and work in your community and never to campus. There are no residency requirements. Our online Geological Engineering master's can generally completed in two years on a part-time basis. Plus, UND is one of the most affordable online colleges in the region. For this program, we offer the same online tuition rates regardless of your legal residency. Compare and you’ll see UND is lower cost than similar four-year doctoral universities.

Flexible Online Master's in Geological Engineering

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Top-Tier Geological Engineering Master's Online

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on-campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey, and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

UND Geological Engineering

Gain the Insights to Lead

UND's Willard M. Laird Core and Sample Library has over 80 miles of core samples for research.

Explore More Options

Check out the geological engineering faculty at UND or discover additional education opportunities.

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.

By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies, Privacy Information.