South Dakota - School of Mines and Technology
Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering
Rapid City, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 29,200 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
What is Geological Engineering?
Geological engineering (GEOE) is the development and conservation of natural resources in ways useful to humankind. It encompasses diverse fields such as groundwater resources, geothermal energy, subsurface contamination, slope stability, environmental site design, and mineral and petroleum exploration and production.
Geological engineering at South Dakota Mines is a relatively rare degree program offered by only 13 universities in the country. The degree bridges the gap between the science of geology and multiple engineering disciplines including mining, civil, petroleum, and environmental engineering.
What does a geological engineer do?
As a graduate of the South Dakota Mines geological engineering program, you might work in the areas of groundwater, environmental site planning and natural hazards, geomechanics and geotechnics, and fuels or minerals.
International students may seek scholarship opportunities but should be aware that many scholarships are limited to US citizens or permanent residents. South Dakota Mines does not offer scholarships specifically for international students. You must be ADMITTED by January 15 of the year you are planning to enroll in the fall semester if you wish to be considered for scholarships. Scholarships are only awarded for a start date of the fall semester. Please see the Scholarships website for information on Mines scholarships.
International students are NOT eligible for South Dakota Mines or federal loan programs and should not apply for such financial assistance.
Freshman Year
First Semester
- General Chemistry I
- Calculus I
- Composition I
- Introduction to Geology, Geological Engineering, and Mining Engineering Lab
- General Education Goal 3 or 4 Elective(s)
Second Semester
- General Chemistry I Lab
- General Chemistry II
- Calculus II
- University Physics I
- Geology for Engineers/Lab
- Introduction to CADD/Lab
Sophomore Year
First Semester
- Statics
- Calculus III
- Surveying for Mining and Geological Engineers
- University Physics II
- Mineralogy and Crystallography/Lab
Second Semester
- Communication in the STEM Workplace
- Introduction to Computer Programming/Lab
- Mechanics of Materials
- Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology/Lab
- Differential Equations
- General Education Goal 3 or 4 Electives
Junior Year
First Semester
- Explorations in STEM Communications
- Stratigraphy and Sedimentation/Lab
- Geotechnical Engineering/Lab
- Statistical Methods in Geology and Geological Engineering
- General Education Goal 3 or 4 Electives
Second Semester
- Structural Geology/Lab
- Engineering Geophysics I/Lab
- Fluid Mechanics
- Introduction to GIS/Lab
- Basic Engineering Economics
Senior Year
First Semester
- Engineering and Environmental Geology/Lab
- Groundwater/Lab
- Metallurgical Thermodynamics
- Geological Engineering Design Project I
- Professional Elective(s)
Second Semester
- Theoretical and Applied Rock Mechanics/Lab
- Professional Elective(s)
- Geological Engineering Design Project II
- Petroleum Drilling and Production Engineering
- Approved Elective(s)
- Summer
- Engineering Field Geology
As a geological engineering graduate from Mines, you will have the opportunity to work in a variety of industries, including:
- Mineral resource extraction
- Petroleum exploration, production, and service
- Hazard mitigation
- Engineering consulting
- Water resource development and protection
- Construction
- Environmental consulting