Are you thinking of obtaining a Masters degree in Geotechnical Engineering and are curious about what it entails? Well, look no further! This article contains the necessary information about getting a Master’s Degree in Geotechnical Engineering including masters in geotechnical engineering online, msc geotechnical engineering distance learning with the area of study being the United States of America. On Collegelearners, more information about MSc in Geotechnical Engineering in other states would be discussed.
What is Geotechnical Engineering?
Geotechnical Engineering or Geotechnics is an engineering branch that deals with rock and soil behaviour in an engineering perspective. This branch of Science incorporates engineering geology and ground engineering. Moreover, the field involves assessing slope stability and risk of rockfall, landslides and avalanches. Geotechnics uses scientific methods and engineering principles to gather and interpret the physical properties of the ground for the constructional purpose.
The term ‘Geotechnical Engineering’ is used to describe both the theoretical and practical application of the disciplines. Geotechnical engineers work closely with geologists and architects to complete an on-sight project — be it designing and planning of construction site, evaluating its conditions, mapping down a plan or working on its implementation.
How to Become a Geotechnical Engineer
The qualifications needed to become a geotechnical engineer include at least a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or geotechnical engineering. If you want to advance your career, a master’s degree or more is expected, coupled with job experience on several successful projects. In addition to your education, you must have a strong understanding of other related fields, including construction, math, and several natural sciences, especially geology. Aside from the varied knowledge base, you must be organized, have excellent communication skills, and be able to self-manage to fulfill your responsibilities.
M.Tech. in Geotechnical Engineering is a 2-year full-time post-graduate course divided across 4 semesters. This branch of engineering involves the application of principles of soil mechanics and rock mechanics for investigation and study of subsurface materials and conditions. Such findings help deduce important information about physical materials, subsurface materials and structures, and their chemical and mechanical properties. Soil, rock, bedrock, and fault distribution properties of the project site are also studied in detail.
Studying such properties helps divulge more about the engineering properties of earth materials beneath the surface of the site. Other than that, such study also helps assess risk from natural hazards such as wind, earthquakes, landslides, etc.
Based on such findings and assessments, Geotechnical Engineers plan the design and construction of foundation and/or other support structures. At the stage of construction of risk-proof structures, inputs from Geotechnical Engineers are taken into consideration wherever required. Similarly, geotechnical engineering’s principles are applied in construction of other manmade structures such as dams, bridges, roads, tunnels, skyscrapers, ports, railway lines, and commercial buildings.
Degree programs offered by the three noteworthy schools profiled here include bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. At least one master’s degree program is designed for those who have professional experience in civil engineering.
Geotechnical Engineering as a Degree
Education in Geotechnical Engineering is offered at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. During the coursework, students learn about several geological processes and examine the engineering behaviour of earth materials in order to understand the construction practices that involves measuring the chemical properties, evaluating the stability of the area and designing earthworks and laying the foundation for construction.
This multidisciplinary program includes specialised domains such as Soil and Rock Mechanics, Hydrogeology, Geophysics and Engineering Geology (which is a discipline of Civil Engineering). For those who are planning to enter and work in a range of engineering career within the construction, environmental and extractive industries, a career in Geotechnical Engineering is highly pursued after. The program is a blend of robust curriculum and cutting edge technologies to provide students with the world-class educational infrastructure and prepare them for the industry. Workshops are central to the programs to provide students with an exposure to the latest industry-relevant computational tools, practical training and group or individual exercises.
Popular Courses
You take any type of Civil Engineering, it is strongly rooted in Science and Mathematics and a high level of proficiency in these subjects is required to pursue a Geotechnical Engineering course. Most of the universities ask for strong academic grades in Mathematics and Science subjects in order to specialise in Civil Engineering branches. Besides this, you need a proof of English-language proficiency by giving IELTS, TOEFL or PTE exam if you are planning to study abroad.
The curriculum for the Master’s degree programs lasts for a duration of 1 to 3 years specifically designed to provide advanced preparation.
Some of the popular courses have been listed below:
- MS in Geotechnics
- MSc in Applied Geotechnics
- MGeol in Engineering Geology and Geotechnics
- MS in Geotechnical Engineering
- MS in Civil Engineering – Geotechnical Engineering
- MSc/Diploma/Certificate in Geotechnical Engineering
- MSc/Diploma/Certificate in Geotechnical Engineering and Management
- Master of Engineering Science: Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
Top Schools For Masters in Geotechnical Engineering
University Of Washington
Geotechnical Engineering Master’s Degree Program
UW CEE’s Geotechnical Engineering Master’s Program is one of the oldest in the United States. Founded in 1935, the program has produced outstanding students who have achieved great success in practice and academia. The program provides a solid background in all traditional areas of geotechnical engineering and allows students to focus on areas of particular interest, including geotechnical earthquake engineering, landslide hazards, soil mechanics and foundation engineering. Graduate students work closely with faculty and also interact with leaders in the local professional community, many of whom are UW graduates, through special courses taught by practitioners, field trips, seminars and professional society meetings.
Careers
People with advanced degrees in geotechnical engineering enjoy careers with consulting firms, major contractors, design firms and government agencies. Geotechnical engineers enjoy a balance of analysis, design, subsurface investigation and construction monitoring that allows them to spend time both in the field and in the office. Geotechnical engineers work closely with geologists, seismologists, structural engineers, and construction engineers in the design and construction of buildings, bridges, dams, pipelines and other critical elements of modern infrastructure.
Degree requirements
A total of 42 credits is required for both Professional Master’s Program and research track master’s programs. Students in both tracks take many of the same courses. Research track students have fewer required class credits due to their research activities, for which they receive credit. Master’s students enrolled in on-campus programs may take online courses as electives.
Research
Research track students have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research with renowned faculty. UW students and faculty conduct research in a broad range of areas of geotechnical engineering, including seismic site response, earthquake- and rainfall-induced landslide analysis, numerical modeling of flow slides and other large deformation problems, soil liquefaction, soil-structure interaction, and partially saturated soils. Research is funded by federal and state agencies such as the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center and the Washington State Department of Transportation
University of California – Berkeley
The graduate civil engineering program at the University of California at Berkeley (UC – Berkeley) was ranked number one in the country by U.S. News and World Report for 2017.
The school’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers several programs with a geo-engineering emphasis, through which students focus on areas involving soil mechanics, coastal and offshore engineering, foundation engineering, earthquake engineering, and site remediation.
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering is a nine-month program that prepares students for professional work or doctoral study. Classes include environmental geotechnics, digital data processing, and numerical modeling. Students who wish to teach or perform research can enroll in a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or a Doctor of Engineering in Civil Engineering program with an emphasis in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering.
Students may also choose an emphasis in air quality engineering, environmental fluid mechanics and hydrology, or water quality engineering. Coursework may include surface water hydrology, pathogens and water quality, or climate change mitigation. Some programs might also require students to choose a minor, such as a PhD with an emphasis in environmental fluid mechanics and hydrology. Minor studies range from statistics to environmental economics and policy.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois (U of I) at Urbana-Champaign graduate civil engineering program was ranked second by U.S. News and World Report for 2017.
The school offers three degree programs emphasizing geotechnical engineering with research opportunities in areas such as earthquake engineering, deep excavation, soil structure interaction, stabilized earth support systems, and soil liquefaction during earthquakes.
The Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a specialization in geotechnical engineering is for those planning a career in leadership in geotechnical engineering. Classes include analysis of earth dams, consolidation of clays, tunneling in soft ground, and rock behavior. A Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with a specialization in geotechnical engineering is for those who plan to teach or perform research.
The university also offers a professional Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a specialization in geotechnical engineering. This one-year program is suited for those who have experience in the field of civil engineering. Classes include reinforced concrete, computational geomechanics, and field geology.
Iowa State University in Ames, IA
For 2017, Iowa State University was ranked 34th among graduate civil engineering schools by U.S. News and World Report. Among all public schools in the country, Iowa State was ranked 51st.
The school’s Department of Civil Construction and Environmental Engineering enables students to focus their studies in geotechnical and materials engineering while pursing a Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Science, Master of Engineering, or dual bachelor’s and master’s degree.
Students in these programs typically conduct independent research under the supervision of a faculty member who focuses on geotechnical engineering. Recent topics of study include bio-based soil stabilization techniques and geopolymer strength. Specialized facilities at the school include the Center for Earthworks Engineering Research. Iowa State is also home to the Wind Energy Initiative.
Top Schools for Geotechnical Engineering
These schools also feature strong educational offerings in geotechnical engineering:
| College/University Name | Distinction | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Facilities include a balanced beam centrifuge and a machine shop, as well as the ability to conduct experiments using triaxial equipment, industrial radiography machines, and high-speed visualization technology | Cambridge, MA |
| Stanford University | Ranked fourth among graduate schools offering engineering programs in 2017, according to U.S. News and World Report | Stanford, CA |
| Texas A & M University | Offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs in civil engineering with a geotechnical engineering emphasis | College Station, TX |
| University of Michigan – Ann Arbor | Hosts five lab facilities and three fieldwork sites for geotechnical engineering students | Ann Arbor, MI |
| University of Southern California | Junior-year undergraduates studying civil and environmental engineering can participate in paid research opportunities | Los Angeles, CA |
| University of Texas at Austin | Geotechnical lab facilities house equipment used to conduct triaxial tests, one-dimensional consolidation tests, and flexible wall permeameter tests, among others | Austin, TX |
| University of Washington – Seattle Campus | Houses one of the first geotechnical engineering programs in the U.S., established in 1935 | Seattle, WA |
Students interested in geotechnical engineering can find outstanding academic and research opportunities within broader civil engineering programs at several top-ranked public and private universities.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is very important and has to be taken into consideration for those who aspire to study geotechnical engineering. We have provided the eligibility criteria below for the students who want to study masters or do a postgraduate –
- The candidate should have a B.E. or B. Tech degree in any of the following – Civil engineering, Civil Infrastructure Engineering, Architecture Engineering, Geo-Informatics Engineering, Geoinformation technology or Structural Engineering from a recognized university.
- The candidate should have scored at least 60% aggregate in the graduation degree.
- Entrance exam scores are considered in some colleges. So a good entrance score would help a lot.
Scope / Career prospects
Construction and planning of new cities, buildings and other structures are always going on in a developing country like India. Geotechnical engineers are involved in site supervision, an inspection of soil, rocks, bedrock, project analysis, design and construction of foundation and other necessary structures. So if you are interested in civil engineering and also seem to have an interest in managerial work geotechnical engineering is the right career choice for you because site work, supervision, design, cost estimation and project management are some of the things you will be doing as a geotechnical engineer. Organizations involved in the construction of commercial buildings, public structures and other manmade structures, construction firms, consultancies, infrastructure development recruit geotechnical engineers. Companies involved in mining, extraction of petroleum and natural gas also need geotechnical engineers. Hence government and private sector jobs in India and abroad are plentiful and easily available for them.
Is Geotechnical Engineering a Good Career?
Being a Geotechnical engineer, you would be endowed with certain responsibilities that would require for you to build a network with the clients and professionals and nurture them. You would take charge of the site and regulate the functions. From working in the public or private sector, small firms or large companies to becoming entrepreneurs, it is a field for excellent growth and opportunities both in India and abroad.
List of Post Graduate Courses for Geotechnical Engineering
SCOTLAND
UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
- Offshore Engineering – MSc
- Petroleum Engineering – MSc
ENGLAND
UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
- Geotechnical Engineering
MSc
Postgraduate Certificate – PgCert,
Postgraduate Diploma – PgDip
- Geotechnical Engineering and Management
MSc
Postgraduate Certificate – PgCert
Postgraduate Diploma – PgDip
WALES
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
- Civil Engineering – MSc
- Civil and Geoenvironmental Engineering – MSc
ENGLAND
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
ENGINEERING
- Geotechnical Engineering – MSc
ENGLAND
UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
- Civil Engineering with Industrial Practice MSc
ENGLAND
UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH
WRONG
- Civil Engineering with Industrial Practice MSc
ENGLAND
KINGSTON UNIVERSITY
CIVIL ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTION AND SURVEYING
- Management in Construction (Civil Engineering) MSc
ENGLAND
NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
- Geotechnical Engineering MSc
ENGLAND
NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING (CIVIL)
- Civil Engineering (Geotechnical and Engineering Geology) – Doctor of Philosophy – PhD., Master of Philosophy – MPhil
ENGLAND
UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND HEALTH
- Engineering Geology MSc
NORTHERN IRELAND
QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
SCHOOL OF NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT
SCOTLAND
ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
- Drilling and Well Engineering MSc
ENGLAND
UNIVERSITY OF SURREY
FEPS – FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES
- Advanced Geotechnical Engineering
MSc
ENGLAND
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
- Soil Mechanics and Environmental Geotechnics
MSc
ENGLAND
UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
- Geotechnical Engineering
MSc (Eng)
ENGLAND
LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
- Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy – PhD
SWEDEN
LULEÅ UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
SINGLE TIER STRUCTURE
- Civil Engineering with specialization in Mining and Geotechnical Engineering
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
- Engineering (Environmental / Structural and Geotechnical / Transport)
MScPG Dip
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