Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Minor in Engineering Geology

The Minor of Depth in Engineering Geology is aimed at students of the Major in Geosciences with an interest in studying geological factors that affect the planning, design, construction and maintenance of civil works.

This program allows students to delve into the areas of engineering geology, such as: (a) characterization of rocks, sediments or soils according to the needs of civil engineering; (b) evaluation and exploration of geological resources such as energy, minerals or water; (c) determination and modeling of geological hazards and associated risks (e.g. risks of seismic or volcanic origin or related to mass removals); and (d) comprehensive study of geological variables that directly interact with sustainable human development.

The Engineering Geology graduate will be able to go directly to the workforce or continue postgraduate studies in subjects related to the geosciences. He will be able to lead and execute interdisciplinary projects that connect geological variables with those used in civil engineering and societal development; with the aim of making recommendations in crucial decision-making processes.

Required Courses

  • GEO202 Geographic Information Systems
  • ICE2135 Numerical Methods in Engineering

Optional (*) (**)

Choose 30 credits from any of the following areas: (Combining (or not) the recommended areas)

Environmental Geology Area

  • IMM2103 Environmental Management
  • GEO303 Dynamic and Climatic Geomorphology
  • GEO406 Sustainability and Territory (**)
  • GEO309 Satellite Remote Sensing
  • GEO503 Territorial Management and Administration (**)
  • GEO201 Climatology
  • ICH2304 Environmental Engineering
  • IIQ2363 Solid and Hazardous Waste
  • IIQ2343 Atmospheric Pollution

Geological Hazards Area

  • GEO2910 Tsunami Risk
  • GEO3086 Principles of Volcanology
  • ICE2006 Statics
  • ICE2114 Structural Analysis I
  • ICE2313 Solid Mechanics
  • ICE2403 Structural Design or (ICE2413 Reinforced Concrete and ICE2533 Steel Structures and ICC2454 Timber Design and Construction)
  • ICE2604 Foundations of Geotechnical Engineering
  • ICC2105 Civil Engineering Materials
  • ICE2614 Soil Mechanics
  • IMM2083 Rock Mechanics for Mining

Mining Geological Resources Area

  • IMM2013 Open Pit Mining
  • IMM2033 Geostatistics
  • IMM2043 Underground Mining
  • IMM2023 Comminution Processes
  • IMM2073 Sustainable Mining
  • IMM2053 Metallurgical Processes

Geological Water Resources Area

  • ICH1104 Fluid Mechanics
  • ICH2114 Hydraulics Engineering
  • ICH2214 Groundwater Hydrology
  • ICH2204 Hydrology
  • ICH2314 Water Quality

 (*) Choose 30 credits from any of the recommended areas.

(**) If a course from the list has 5 credits, it must be approved with another course from the list of 5 credits to achieve the requested credit.

The list of courses is subject to modifications according to the academic planning in effect at the time of course registration. Remember to always be informed of the latest updates to the Study Programs.