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This 120 credit program is designed to be completed in four years.
Open to all undergraduate students. Learn how to apply to the University of Nevada, Reno.
The Geological Engineering Program produces professionals uniquely skilled in geology and engineering to solve environmental challenges generated by rock, water, soil and snow.
Geological engineering combines aspects of environmental, civil and geotechnical engineering with the geological sciences to find solutions to societies most pressing and challenging questions: How will structures built into the Earth or of Earth materials behave and respond? How to safely and sustainably extract natural resources and contain environmental contaminants? How to predict and mitigate natural hazards like floods and landslides in our changing world?
Graduates of the bachelor's degree in geological engineering will be trained to:
Our program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Accreditation ensures that the program has clearly articulated Program Educational Objectives for graduates, directly assessable Student Outcomes for program majors, and publicly available enrollment and graduation data.
Geological engineering is a relatively rare degree with only 13 undergraduate programs nation-wide. This makes its graduates and their unique training extremely sought after. With your bachelor's degree in geological engineering, you graduate ready to enter the job market with a median annual salary of $91,160 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019).
As part of the Mackay School, geological engineering students receive regular internship and job search support from Mackay Student Services throughout the program and after graduation.
Faculty in our department work closely with undergraduate students to provide hands-on experience in a wide range of work environments, helping you to graduate with a set of skills that are in high demand in Nevada and around the world.
This degree is awarded by the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering. Find out what Mackay's rich history, strong connection to industry and dedication to student internship and career support can do for you.
Learn more about the Mackay School
With your degree in geological engineering, you will have a choice of jobs in a range of industries. You can choose to work for engineering consulting firms or for civil, petroleum, transportation and/or mining companies around the country and the world.
Job duties of a geological engineer might include*:
*Bureau of Labor Statistics
76% of students receive financial aid
Almost everyone is eligible to receive some kind of aid. We offer need-based and merit-based forms of financial aid to help you afford college.
54% of all students graduate with no debt
That's right. More than half of our students leave the University of Nevada, Reno with no student debt.
At the University of Nevada, Reno Honors College, our students maximize their unique gifts and passions through a series of personalized experiences that deepen their capacity for transformative societal impact.
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