Geological Engineers deal with a wide variety of the resource and environmental problems that come with accommodating more and more people on a finite planet. Foundations for building, roads and other structures must be properly evaluated and stabilized; contaminated sites and ground-water must be accurately characterized before cleanup can be accomplished; water supplies must be located, developed and protected; and new mineral and energy resources must be located and developed in an environmentally sound manner. Geological Engineers are the professionals trained to meet these challenges.

Graduates follow five general career paths

• Geological Engineering/Geotechnics: Careers in site investigation, design and stabilization of foundations; site characterization, design, construction and remediation of waste disposal sites or contaminated sites; and assessment of geologic hazards.
• Hydrogeology: Careers in assessment and remediation of groundwater and surface water contamination, design of groundwater control facilities and exploration for and development of water supplies.
• Petroleum Exploration and Development: The location of oil, gas and coal and their efficient extraction.
• Mineral Exploration and Development: The search for and development of natural deposits of metals, industrial materials and rock aggregate.
• Geological Science: Graduates of this track have become experts in global climate change, the early history of the Earth, planetary science, and simulation of sedimentary rock sequences, to name a few.
• At all levels the GE program emphasizes laboratory and field experience. All courses have a laboratory session and after the junior year students participate in a field course, which is six weeks of geologic mapping and direct observation. The course involves considerable time outdoors in the mountains and canyons of southwestern Colorado and Utah.
• The Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering curriculum provides a strong basis in geological science and traditional engineering along with specialized upper level instruction in integrated applications to real problems. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and students have the background to take the Engineer in Training Exam and to become registered Professional Engineers.