This course provides fundamentals of geology applied to civil engineering problems. Topics include rock and mineral types, soil properties, rock mechanics, geologic structures, active tectonics and earthquake hazards, slope stability and landslides, groundwater, rivers, and flood hazards. Team projects include engineering geology case studies and site assessment investigations.

Number of units: 2-unit lecture

This course provides students with concepts of soil formation and identification; engineering properties of soils; fundamental aspects of soil characterization and response, including soil mineralogy, soil-water movement, effective stress, consolidation, soil strength, and soil compaction; use of soils and geosynthetics in geotechnical and geoenvironmental applications. It introduces the students to site investigation techniques, laboratory testing, and soil composition and properties evaluation. It emphasizes geomorphology, phase relationships, soil classification, soil plasticity, mechanics of soils, site investigations, subsurface explorations, the compressibility of soils, soil permeability, and seepage analysis. 

Number of units: 4-unit lecture and 1-unit laboratory

This course covers principles of Foundation Analysis and Design. Topics covered include a review of fundamental concepts (index and classification properties, water flow, effective stress concept, consolidation behavior, and shear strength), subsurface exploration, shallow foundation analysis, and design, deep foundation analysis and design, and lateral loads and earth retaining structures.

Number of units: 3-unit lecture

This course covers the development of a capstone project proposal containing a clear set of objectives, methodology, project implementation plan/schedule, and resource requirements.

Number of units: 1-unit lecture and 1-unit laboratory