Groundwater Hydrology and Contaminant Transport

Geological Engineers work on a variety of projects which protect and preserve the earth.  Geological Engineers may develop safe drinking water supplies in parts of the world where infant mortality is many time higher than it is in the United States.

We have a geological emphasis area in Groundwater Hydrogeology and Contaminant Transport.  If you choose this emphasis area, you will be taking some of the following courses:

• Subsurface Hydrology and Transport Mechanics

• Risk Assessment in Environmental Studies

• Groundwater Remediation

• Soil Science in Engineering Practice

• Statistical Methods in Environmental Geology and Engineering

• Well Test Analysis

• Elementary Soil Mechanics

• Well Logging

Geological engineers often work in part on subsurface contamination issues or groundwater supply problems. Typically an entry level geological engineer would be responsible for supervising the drilling of groundwater wells and monitoring wells, and for designing the sampling plans or for carrying out pumping tests to determine aquifer characteristics. As a project engineer, the geological engineering graduate might be responsible for leading a team that would carry out site investigations, analyze hydrogeological and surface water data, and ultimately might design a groundwater cleanup plan that might utilize pump-and-treat, in-situ cleanup, or some innovative process to restore the groundwater quality. Groundwater is one of the most important natural resources available, and its utilization in a sustainable manner is very important for the future of human society and the environment.