Geology

Key Program Research Groups

Geology research at Mines spans fundamental Earth processes through applied geological analysis.

Economic geology

Rising global population and living standards are increasing demand for mineral products of all types, even as easily accessible deposits decline and new resources must be found in deeper or more remote environments. At Mines, economic geology focuses on understanding how mineral deposits form and applying that knowledge to discover, characterize and responsibly develop the materials essential to modern society.

Engineering geology and geotechnics

Engineering geology and geotechnics apply geological principles to solve engineering problems, from landslide analysis and foundation design to resource evaluation and hazard assessment, often serving as the critical link between design, construction and the ground itself. At Mines, this globally recognized program provides training across geology, hazards, site investigation and engineering analysis, preparing graduates for careers in consulting, government, industry and academia with strong placement outcomes.

 Petroleum geoscience

Petroleum geoscience has long been a strength at Mines, with a program that has evolved alongside industry needs to prepare graduates with integrated training in geology, geophysics, petrophysics, geochemistry and engineering, supported by strong foundations in science, computing and quantitative analysis. Graduates are highly sought after by national and international energy companies, consulting firms and government agencies, with consistent recruitment and strong placement outcomes reflecting the program’s reputation.

Underground construction and tunneling

The underground community at Mines is comprised of a collaborative, interdisciplinary group of faculty and students from civil engineering, geology and geological engineering, mining engineering and mechanical engineering, as well as geophysics and computer science, with a collective interest in education and research in underground engineering.

Interdisciplinary geological research

Many projects integrate geology with geophysics, geochemistry or engineering. This area emphasizes collaboration and system-level understanding, well suited if you want your dissertation to influence broader applied questions.