Engineering Geology

Engineering geology assures the safety, efficiency, and economy of engineering and environmental projects.  This course will focus on site assessment techniques that interpret the geologic environment for engineers who design structures and systems in this environment.  The course will concentrate on direct and remote site investigation techniques, determination of index properties of rock and soil, characterization of fractured rock formations, characterization of soil formations as a function of their sedimentary depositional environment, and the impact of clay mineralogy in soil and rock.  The hydrogeology of fractured rock and porous media formations for development as water resources will be introduced. Special emphasis will be placed on the site characterization and engineering systems in difficult geologic conditions such as limestone terrain, collapsible soils, seismically active regions, and dynamic coastal environments.