Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering - Geoengineering

Colorado State University

Geoengineering is the study, design, and use of natural geomaterials (soils, rocks), geosynthetic materials, and other types of man-made materials. Numerous subdisciplines of engineering are encompassed in Geoengineering, and include Geotechnical Engineering, Geoenvironmental Engineering, Geological Engineering, and Geophysical Engineering. The Geoengineering Program at Colorado State University predominantly is focused on education and research in the areas of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering.​ Geoenvironmental Engineering is the engineering of geologic (earthen) and geosynthetic (polymer) materials to protect human health and the environment. The primary problems addressed by Geoenvironmental Engineers pertain to the protection of uncontaminated regions of the subsurface as well as the remediation cleanup of contaminated subsurface regions, such as industrial chemical spills, leaking waste containment facilities, leaking above-ground and underground storage tanks, infiltration of pesticides, etc. Geotechnical Engineering employs concepts of soil and rock mechanics to the analysis and design of geotechnical structures such as shallow and deep foundations, retaining walls and structures, excavations and excavated slopes, earth dams and embankments, and liners and covers for waste containment facilities (e.g., landfills). Since an advanced degree normally is required for engineers working in this field, the program prepares students to solve complex geotechnical problems based on a fundamental understanding of geomaterial behavior and use of modern tools for geotechnical design and analysis. State-of-the-art computing and experimental facilities are used extensively in the teaching and research conducted by faculty and students.

Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering