environment

Vol. 11 No. 1 2004
PROFESSOR’S COLUMN
"Geological Engineering" or "Engineering Geology"
- What is in a Name?
Professor A. Keith Turner
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado 80401 USA
At first glance the terms “geological engineer” and
“engineering geologist” appear synonymous. Because
the two terms employ essentially the same two words –
“geology” and “engineering” – although in reverse
order, the opportunity for confusion is great. The word
choices may be unfortunate, but the two terms represent
distinct, although related, concepts concerning
educational and professional endeavors. Both have
developed in response to the complexity of modern
engineering design, especially those designs involving
the interface between naturally occurring earth materials
and the engineered structure, or the use of naturally
occurring materials within the constructed facility.
Geological Engineering
In the early 20 th Century, advances in both technology
and engineering made larger and more complex
engineering works feasible. New branches of
engineering – such as petroleum engineering –
developed in response to technological advances.
Existing engineering disciplines – such as civil
engineering – increased demands for new specialties to
design ever larger and more complex bridges, dams,
tunnels, for water-supply and transportation systems.
The minerals and petroleum industries also required
increasing numbers of exploration and production
specialists and administrators – roles for which
engineering training combined with geological
knowledge was the basic requirement.
Consequently, a number of universities and mining
schools in the western United States began to offer
engineering programs leading to a degree in “Geological
Engineering.” Graduates from these programs were
hired by petroleum and minerals exploration and
production companies, and placed in positions where
their combined geological and engineering training made
them uniquely qualified. Subsequently, as professional
engineering registration procedures became codified,
these geological engineering programs became
accredited – allowing their graduates to later achieve
the status of Professional Engineer (PE). Geological
engineers that obtained PE status could legally approve
designs for engineering works, an important
consideration in some situations. The term “Geological
Engineer” thus developed in the United States in
response to both technological demands and to legal
professional engineering registration procedures. A
geological engineer is trained as an engineer – but an
engineer with a broad understanding of applied
geological science.
Most of the early geological engineers did not work on
civil engineering projects. They were more likely to
work on minerals exploration and exploitation projects
with mining engineers, or on petroleum exploration and
production projects with petroleum engineers. Only in
the latter half of the 20 th Century, when major civil
engineering projects following World War II placed new
demands for specialists to work with civil engineers,
did many North American universities begin to provide
“options” within their academic programs – usually
three, with titles such as “Petroleum Exploration”,
“Minerals Exploration” and “Engineering Geology.”
Thus developed the confusing situation of some
“Geological Engineers” undertaking programs of study
in “Engineering Geology.”
Engineering Geology
In contrast to the geological engineer, the engineering
geologist remains first of all a geoscientist – albeit a
rather applied geologist. Engineering geology uses
geology to create more efficient and effective
engineering works, to assess and allay environmental
concerns, and to promote the public health, safety, and
welfare. Geologists have advised on engineering works
from the earliest days of geology investigations; the
evolution of relationships between civil engineering and
geology forms an interesting historical study.
The term “engineering geology” became widely
accepted only as the demand for geological specialists
to advise civil engineers developed in the last half of
the 20 th Century. Several universities in both the USA
and Canada established “Engineering Geology” options
within science-oriented geological programs. Graduates
who chose to work with civil engineers adopted the
title “Engineering Geologist.” Many Canadian
university geology departments either partially or entirely
joined the faculties of applied science (in other words –
engineering). This allowed many, if not all, of their
graduates to achieve registration as professional
engineers, and many individuals did so. In contrast,
within the USA, graduates from these science-oriented
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