DOCUMENTS OF THE GENERAL FACULTY


CHANGES IN DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
IN GEOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND HYDROGEOLOGY IN
THE COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES CHAPTER OF
THE UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG, 1998-2000

Mary Ann Rankin, Dean of the College of Natural Sciences, filed with the Secretary of the Faculty Council the proposal below for changes in degree requirements for a bachelor of science in Geosystems Engineering and Hydrogeology in the College of Natural Sciences chapter of The Undergraduate Catalog, 1998-2000. The changes were approved by the faculty and the dean of the College of Natural Sciences. The edited proposal was received from the Office of Official Publications on February 14, 2000. The secretary has classified this proposal as legislation of exclusive application and primary interest to a single college or school.

If no objection is filed with the Office of the General Faculty by the date specified below, the legislation will be held to have been approved by the Faculty Council. If objection is filed within the prescribed period, the legislation will be presented to the Faculty Council at its next meeting. The objection, with reasons, must be signed by a member of the Faculty Council.

To be counted, a protest must be received in the Office of the General Faculty by March 3, 2000.


<signed>

John R. Durbin, Secretary
The Faculty Council



This legislation was posted on the Faculty Council web site (http://www.utexas.edu/faculty/council/) on February 18, 2000. Paper copies are available on request from the Office of the General Faculty, FAC 22, F9500.

CHANGES IN DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
IN GEOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND HYDROGEOLOGY IN
THE COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES CHAPTER OF
THE UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG, 1998-2000

The changes set forth below are proposed for the College of Natural Sciences in The Undergraduate Catalog, 2000-2002, of The University of Texas at Austin.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN GEOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND HYDROGEOLOGY.

Geosystems engineers and hydrogeologists are concerned with the development and use of engineering approaches in the management of natural resources from the earth's surface and subsurface, environmental restoration of subsurface sites, and other processes related to the earth sciences. This degree program, offered jointly by the College of Engineering and the College of Natural Sciences, is designed to teach students the geological and engineering principles needed to solve subsurface resource development and environmental problems. The curriculum includes a fundamental sequence of engineering and geological sciences courses in such areas as multiphase fluid flow, physical and chemical hydrology, heat and mass transfer, field methods, and engineering design. This interdisciplinary systems approach, combining engineering geology and geological sciences, and geophysics, is increasingly required to address complex real-world problems such as characterization and remediation of aquifers. The degree program is designed to prepare graduates for employment with environmental, water resource management, and energy and mining companies in addition to many government agencies. Better graduates of the program may pursue graduate study in subsurface environmental engineering, petroleum engineering, geology geological sciences, and other related fields.

Graduates of this program are expected to be able to apply knowledge of mathematics, geological sciences, and engineering; design and conduct experiments and engineering tests, as well as analyze and interpret geologic data; design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs; function on multidisciplinary teams; identify, formulate, and solve engineering and geological problems; understand professional and ethical responsibilities in the practice of engineering and hydrogeology; communicate effectively using oral, written, and graphical expressions, including technical reports; appreciate the impact of engineering and geological solutions in a global and societal context; recognize the need for and have the ability to engage in independent study and lifelong learning; understand contemporary issues and the ways they affect the practice of engineering and hydrogeology; use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering and geological tools, including computers, that are appropriate for good engineering and geologic practice.

Containing the following elements, the technical curriculum provides both breadth and depth in a range of topics.

• A combination of college-level mathematics and basic sciences (some with experimental work) that includes mathematics through differential equations, probability and statistics, physics, chemistry, and geology.
  
  

• Basic engineering and geologic topics that develop a working knowledge of fluid mechanics, strength of materials, transport phenomena, material properties, phase behavior, and thermodynamics.
  
  

• Engineering and geosciences topics that develop competence in characterization and evaluation of subsurface geological formations and their resources using geoscientific and engineering methods,
  

including field methods; design and analysis of systems for producing, injecting, and handling fluids; application of hydrogeologic and reservoir engineering principles and practices for water and energy resource development and management; contamination evaluation and remediation methods for hydrologic resources; and use of project economics and resource valuation methods for design and decision making under conditions of risk and uncertainty.

• A major capstone design experience that prepares students for engineering and hydrogeologic practice, based on the knowledge and skills acquired in earlier coursework and incorporating engineering and geological standards and realistic constraints.
  
  

• A general education component that complements the technical content of the curriculum.
  
  

CURRICULUM

Course requirements are divided into three categories: basic sequence courses, major sequence courses, and other required courses. Enrollment in major sequence courses is restricted to students who have received credit for all of the basic sequence courses and have been admitted to the major sequence by the College of Engineering Admissions Committee. (Requirements for admission to a major sequence are given in chapter 6.) Enrollment in other required courses is not restricted by completion of the basic sequence.

Courses used to fulfill technical and nontechnical elective requirements must be approved by the petroleum and geosystems engineering faculty and the geological sciences faculty before the student enrolls in them. Courses that fulfill the social science and fine arts/humanities requirements are listed in chapter 6.

Students must fulfill the foreign language requirement given on page 138. They must also remove any admission deficiencies in mathematics as described in General Information.

Basic Sequence Courses

Chemistry 301, 302, [Civil Engineering 319F,] Engineering Mechanics [306S] 306,
English 306, Geological Sciences 312K, 416K, 416M, 420K, Mathematics 408C,
408D, 427K, Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering 310, 312, 333T,
Physics 303K, 303L, 103M, 103N

Major Sequence Courses

English 316K, Geological Sciences 428, 468K, 476K, 376L, 376M, 376S,
Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering 421K, 322K, 424, 326, 323, 331,
337, 365, 368, 370, 373K, 373
[Approved environmental engineering technical elective]

Other Required Courses

American government, including Texas government
American history
Approved fine arts or humanities elective
Approved social science elective

MINIMUM REQUIRED

Justification: The major changes to the Bachelor of Science in Geosystems Engineering and Hydrogeology are ones suggested by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology after a review of the degree. The minor changes are in response to a name change within the Department of Geological Sciences.