Academic Catalog

DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING

General Information on Undergraduate Program

GENERAL INFORMATION
Geological Engineering requires integration of geological science and engineering principles and methods for the recognition, analyses and solution of various engineering problems which require professional and specialized geological investigations.
Geological Engineering encompasses professional engineering application of geology to mineral resources (both metallic and non-metallic) exploration; identification and evaluation of problems associated with surface and underground construction works, site investigation; exploration of construction material sources; development and management of groundwater resources; groundwater contamination and environmental impact assessment; and identification, assessment and remediation of natural hazards.The educational mission of the Geological Engineering Department of the Faculty of Engineering of Middle East Technical University is to graduate professionals who are capable of providing innovative solutions to geological engineering problems met by private, public, industrial and government entities, as well as being able to follow, utilize and disseminate developments in related areas of science and technology.
The undergraduate education of professional geological engineers is based on a balanced combination of mathematics and basic science, engineering science, social sciences and humanities, and departmental courses. The training program includes active laboratory works, computer applications, numerous weekend field trips, field geology training and two periods of summer practice (total of ten weeks). The field geology training is carried out as daily trips within the semester and either as daily trips or as field camps following final exams of the semester. The skill gained by the graduating student is tested through geological engineering design projects.
A wide selection of employment opportunities is offered to the graduates having a good command of a foreign language and a computer literacy skill.

PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
The Geological Engineering Undergraduate Program is designed to graduate students who in their professional life
1. can successfully practice the geological engineering profession in the areas of natural resources, natural hazards, geotechnical and environmental issues that are related to geological materials and processes,
2. can pursue advanced studies and conduct research in the academic institutions, and
3. are able to discharge the necessary professional responsibilities in areas such as ethical, societal, environmental and self-improvement issues.



The Geological Engineering undergraduate program was accredited by the Engineering AccreditationCommission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

STUDENT OUTCOMES
Targeted outcomes of the METU Geological Engineering Program of the Faculty of Engineering are listed below:

*An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
*An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
*An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
*An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
*An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
*An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
*An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
*An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
*An ability to visualize topographical and geological features in 4-D for solving Geological Engineering problems

Undergraduate Curriculum


FIRST YEAR

First Semester
Course Code Course Name METU Credit Contact (h/w) Lab (h/w) ECTS
PHYS105 GENERAL PHYSICS I 4 3 2 6.0
CHEM111 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I 4 3 2 6.0
MATH119 CALCULUS WITH ANALYTIC GEOMETRY 5 4 2 7.0
GEOE105 INTRODUCTION TO GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING 0 2 0 3.0
ENG101 ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES I 4 4 1 6.0
OHS101 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY-I 0 0 0 2.0
IS100 INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS 0 0 2 1.0
Semester Total:31

Second Semester
Course Code Course Name METU Credit Contact (h/w) Lab (h/w) ECTS
PHYS106 GENERAL PHYSICS II 4 3 2 6.0
CHEM112 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II 4 3 2 6.0
MATH120 CALCULUS OF FUNCTIONS OF SEVERAL VARIABLES 5 4 2 7.5
BA100 CAREER PLANNING 0 1 0 2.0
CE101 CIVIL ENGINEERING DRAWING 3 2 2 4.0
ENG102 ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES II 4 4 1 6.0
Semester Total:31.5

SECOND YEAR

Third Semester
Course Code Course Name METU Credit Contact (h/w) Lab (h/w) ECTS
MATH219 INTRODUCTION TO DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS 4 4 0 7.0
ES221 ENGINEERING MECHANICS I 3 3 0 5.0
GEOE209 PHYSICAL GEOLOGY 3 2 2 5.0
GEOE213 MINERALOGY 4 2 4 5.0
Any 1 of the following set ..
HIST2201 0 2 0 2.0
HIST2205 HISTORY OF THE TURKISH REVOLUTION I 0 2 0 2.0
            RESTRICTED ELECTIVE 5.0
            NONTECHNICAL ELECTIVE 5.0
Semester Total:34

Fourth Semester
Course Code Course Name METU Credit Contact (h/w) Lab (h/w) ECTS
ES224 STRENGTH OF MATERIALS 3 3 0 5.0
GEOE208 MAPWORK 3 2 2 5.0
GEOE210 PETROGRAPHY 3 1 4 5.0
GEOE214 PRINCIPLES OF STRATIGRAPHY 3 2 2 5.0
CENG240 PROGRAMMING WITH PYTHON FOR ENGINEERS 3 2 2 4.0
ENG211 ACADEMIC ORAL PRESENTATION SKILLS 3 3 1 4.0
Any 1 of the following set ..
HIST2202 0 2 0 2.0
HIST2206 HISTORY OF THE TURKISH REVOLUTION II 0 2 0 2.0
Semester Total:30

THIRD YEAR

Fifth Semester
Course Code Course Name METU Credit Contact (h/w) Lab (h/w) ECTS
GEOE300 SUMMER PRACTICE I 0 0 0 8.0
GEOE303 GEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING 3 3 0 5.0
GEOE309 HISTORICAL GEOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY 4 3 2 6.0
GEOE313 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY 3 2 2 5.0
MINE317 INTRODUCTION TO ROCK MECHANICS 3 2 2 5.0
OHS301 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - II 0 0 0 2.0
Any 1 of the following set ..
TURK105 TURKISH I 0 4 0 2.0
TURK201 ELEMENTARY TURKISH 0 2 0 2.0
TURK303 TURKISH I 0 2 0 2.0
            RESTRICTED ELECTIVE 5.0
            NONTECHNICAL ELECTIVE 5.0
Semester Total:43

Sixth Semester
Course Code Course Name METU Credit Contact (h/w) Lab (h/w) ECTS
ES303 STATISTICAL METHODS FOR ENGINEERS 3 3 0 5.0
CE364 SOIL MECHANICS 3 2 2 5.0
CE374 FLUID MECHANICS 3 3 0 5.0
GEOE318 GEOCHEMICAL THERMODYNAMICS 3 3 0 5.0
GEOE326 FIELD GEOLOGY 2 2 0 3.5
GEOE327 FIELD GEOLOGICAL MAPPING 3 0 6 5.0
Any 1 of the following set ..
TURK106 TURKISH II 0 4 0 2.0
TURK202 INTERMEDIATE TURKISH 0 2 0 2.0
TURK304 TURKISH II 0 2 0 2.0
Semester Total:30.5

FOURTH YEAR

Seventh Semester
Course Code Course Name METU Credit Contact (h/w) Lab (h/w) ECTS
GEOE400 SUMMER PRACTICE II 0 0 0 8.0
GEOE401 MINERAL DEPOSITS 3 2 2 5.0
GEOE407 ENGINEERING GEOLOGY 3 2 2 5.0
GEOE423 HYDROGEOLOGY 3 2 2 5.0
GEOE425 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN GEO.ENG. 3 2 2 5.0
GEOE491 GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN I 3 2 2 5.0
Semester Total:33

Eighth Semester
Course Code Course Name METU Credit Contact (h/w) Lab (h/w) ECTS
GEOE492 GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN II 3 1 4 6.0
            FREE ELECTIVE 5.0
            TECHNICAL ELECTIVE 5.0
            TECHNICAL ELECTIVE 5.0
            TECHNICAL ELECTIVE 5.0
            TECHNICAL ELECTIVE 5.0
Semester Total:31
Program Total:264

h/w = hours per week