The M.Eng. (Geological Sciences) degree program provides a one-year course of study that provides future professional geologists or engineers with the geological and engineering background they will need to analyze and solve engineering problems that involve geological variables and concepts. Individual programs are developed within two established options: 

• Geohydrology
• Environmental Geophysics.

An M.Eng. program can also be developed for students interested in energy studies, in consultation with appropriate members of the Graduate Field of Geological Sciences.

Incoming students are expected to have a strong background in mathematics, the physical sciences and chemistry, and have a strong interest and substantial background in the geological sciences.  The 30 hour M.Eng. program is intended to extend and broaden this background to develop competence in four subject categories.   Typical categories for the geohydrology option are porous media flow, geology, geochemistry and numerical modeling.  Typical categories for the environmental geophysics option are geophysics, geology, porous media fluid flow and computer methods.  The courses a student selects in a category will vary depending on the student’s background.  No courses may be required in some categories, and the categories can also be adjusted to the student’s interest and needs.    Alternatives to numerical modeling in the geohydrology option could be economics or biochemistry, for example.  To count toward the 30 credit degree requirement, courses must be at a graduate or advanced undergraduate level.

At least 10 of the 30 hours in the program must involve engineering design.  Much of this requirement is normally met through a design project which can account for over a third of the program (12 of 30 credits), and must constitute at least 3 credits.  The design project must involve a significant geological component and lead to concrete conclusions or recommendations of an engineering nature.  The project topic can be drawn from a student's non-academic work experience, but would be carried out or further developed with advice from a Cornell faculty member selected by the student with expertise in the project area. A design project in geohydrology would normally involve groundwater flow and mass transport.  A design project in environmental geophysics might involve implementation of a field survey using seismological, geoelectrical or ground penetrating radar methods to map subsurface stratigraphic or structural features that control groundwater flow or contamination at a site. Projects are presented both in written form and orally in a Design Seminar at the end of the year.