Geology as a branch of Science deals with the study of earth, its environment, minerals etc and people who study the same branch are termed as Geological Engineers.
In order to be a Geological Engineer, aspiring candidates must pursue Undergraduate or Postgraduate Geology Courses such as Geoscience, Geoengineering, or Geotechnical Engineering. India is home to a number of top Geology Colleges such as IIT Kharagpur, Vellore Institute of Technology, Indian School of Mines Dhanbad , who enroll students on the basis of various Entrance Exams such as GATE, JEE Mains, UPSEE etc.
Like any other professional field, Geological Engineering salary depends on the qualifications and experience of the individual and the area of specialization. On an average, the salary of a Geological Engineer ranges from INR 4.5 - 6 LPA.
The work of a geological engineer is to design mines so as to remove minerals in a safe and efficient way. They also prepare reports for other engineers, miners, and also arrange for the transporting of minerals to the processing plants. Geological engineers have to work in far-off remote areas for the mining operations.
- How to Become a Geological Engineer: Quick Facts
- What does a Geological Engineer do
- Steps to become a Geological Engineer
- Types of Geological Engineers
- How to become a Geological Engineer in India
5.1 How to Become a Geological Engineer After 12th
6.3 Doctoral Degree in Technology
7.1 USA
7.2 Philippines
7.3 South Africa
How to Become a Geological Engineer: Quick Facts
| Industry | Mining, Forestry |
| Eligibility | Bachelor of Engineering, Masters of Engineering |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 16,500 |
| Job Opportunity | Geological Survey, Local and state planning, etc |
What does a Geological Engineer do?
There are list of functions that are performed by a Geological Engineer, the work of a Geologist Engineer consist of the following,
- Designing the open pit and underground mines,
- Supervising the underground construction of mine shafts, and tunnels,
- Devise method through which the minerals can be transported to the processing plants,
- Prepare technical reports of miners managers and engineers,
- Provide solutions of the problem that are related to sustainability, water and air pollution, land reclamation
- Ensure the safety and environmentally sound operations of mines.
The Geological engineer often specializes in one type of mineral, they develop the best way to extract, process and transport the mineral to the respective plants. They also develop new techniques that can be used to separate minerals from the dirt and rocks. They also perform the task of finding the sites where minerals are found. Once the site is identified, their next task is to plan for ways that can extract the minerals in the most efficient manner and without causing much pollution or environmental degradation.
Steps to Become Geological Engineer
The initial step to becoming a geological engineer is that he should practice mathematics regularly and also must give the same importance to physics and chemistry. They must start preparing for the engineering entrance examination from class 10+2 itself. There are some more steps to be followed to become a geological engineer.
- Decision Making: The decision for becoming a geological engineer must be taken from the school level itself. They must give special concentration in mathematics, as engineering is a mathematics-based subject. They must even prepare for the entrance exam. The students must prepare themselves from the school level itself. He must have a clear concept of all topics of mathematics in particular, but also in Physics and Chemistry. They must consult their teachers, or professionals of this field for a clearer review of this career. He must have a clear view about the future prospect of the career. He must be clear of the pros and cons that may arrive in the career of a geological engineer.
- Subject Choices: Once they decide to pursue Geological engineering as a career, the students must choose their subjects wisely. In order to become a geological engineer, the students must take up mathematics, physics, chemistry, and geoscience. To get these subjects in his higher studies, he must have a high score in the examinations, particularly in subjects like mathematics, physics, chemistry. The concepts of all these subjects must be clear. Their mathematics base must be strong. They can consult the experienced for choosing the subjects.
- Entrance Exam Preparation: Students willing to take up geological engineering must appear for the entrance examination that is conducted by the universities/ institutions. There are entrance examinations such as BITSAT, JEE Main, JEE advanced, DTU, KIT, VITEEE, etc, that are conducted for the engineering aspirants. They must clear the entrance examination with a high score. For clearing these examinations, the students might be required to join some coaching classes that provide guidance regarding these entrance examinations. They must also attend as many mock tests as possible, so that they can understand their position among others. They must also learn time management.
- Selecting Correct Colleges: On clearing the entrance examination, one must choose the correct college for studying geological engineering. They must choose the college based on the factors like how is the department of geological engineering, how are the faculty members, and how is the placement drive for the students of geological engineering. The fee structure is also an important factor. Students from affluent families can pursue the studies in private colleges, but students from financially weak background families should aim for the government colleges that offer the geological engineering course. They attend the counseling process, where the students choose the colleges according to their preferences. They must choose the college wisely, where the department of geological engineering is popular.
Types of Geological Engineers
There are 4 types of geological engineering, they are Civil Engineer, Mining Engineer, Petroleum Engineer, Environmental Engineer.
Civil Engineer
The Civil Engineering is the study of designing and developing roads, tunnels, airports, dams, water supply, etc. As there is an ever increasing problem of population, there is a rising need to make the availability of drinking water, ways to defend oneself from hostile neighbours, places and methods of garbage disposal, ways of increasing trade and commerce so that to meet the increasing demand of the increasing population, to increase the connectivity. They work in designing jetliners, space stations, and the aerospace industry. They are also needed in automobile industries for calculating the maximum load carrying capacity of a car.
Mining Engineer
Mining engineers study the techniques, science, and methods of application of extracting and processing the minerals that are available in the natural environment. It involves the extractions, development, feasibility, production, processing and utilization of the minerals, restoring the minerals and rehabilitation of the land from where the minerals were extracted. They are also responsible for identifying the place where the minerals are found, then they need to make plans of extracting, device shafts, inclines for the safe extraction. While doing these, the engineer must also keep in mind the workers health and environmentally sound method of extraction.
Petroleum Engineer
The Petroleum Engineer work to design the methods of extracting gas and other oil from offshore, onshore reserves, develops the methods of drilling the underground reserves, develop the methods of injecting water or other chemicals in order to force out oil or gases, to evaluate the production of wells through testing, surveys and analysis. They also work to ensure the instalment of the equipment and its working are properly maintained. The petroleum engineers work with other specialists to understand the formation of rock containing the reservoir.
Environmental Engineer
The Environmental Engineering work to prepare, review and update the investigation of the environmental reports. They design projects to protect the environment such as air pollution controlling systems, waste conversion of energy, update, maintain plans, provide technical support, monitor the progress of environmental protection projects. They also inspect the industries and municipality facilities to check that they are following the regulations against environmental pollution. While doing these, they must ensure the safe working of the employers. The Environmental Engineers also work with lawyers, and other people outside their field. They also need to anticipate the environmental degradation caused by the industries installed, and take possible measures to lessen the degradation.
How to Become a Geological Engineer in India
An individual aspiring to become a geological engineer must prepare himself/ herself from the school level itself.
School Level Preparation
He needs to practice mathematics daily, he must make his mathematics strong. He must also have a strong base in physics and chemistry also. Candidates must possess a high score in aggregate and mainly in the science subjects. The students must take mathematics as a main subject. They can take the help of tuition teachers or school teachers to make their concepts clear. They must clear their concepts from the very beginning. The students must be giving at least one hour of time to mathematics daily. They must prepare a routine and study.
How to Become Geological Engineer: After 12th
They must pass their higher secondary with not less than 50% of marks in aggregate from a state/central recognized board. Students should practice mathematics daily, they must have good marks in science subjects like mathematics, physics, and chemistry. After 12th examination, the aspirants of Geological Engineering must practice for the various entrance examinations that are conducted by the colleges, for the engineering students. They must continue practicing the 10+2 mathematics. They can have tuitions or can get admitted to the coaching centres that provide coaching for engineering entrance examination. They must give as many mock tests as possible, because only through the mock tests, the student will be able to rank himself among others.
UG Preparation:
Students must keep practicing mathematics daily, attend the mock test on various online educational platforms. The entrance examination of the engineering course is quite tough, one might need to take admission in the coaching centre that provides coaching for the entrance examination. The concepts regarding every topic must be clear. They can also consult their home tutors or school teachers in this regard. They must learn time management while giving the mock test. There are many online platforms that arrange for the mock tests, students can enrol themselves to those platforms. The more mock tests they will give, the better will be their preparation.
PG Preparation:
The students willing to pursue Masters in Engineering must maintain a score of more than 60% in their bachelor's degree. They also need to appear for the entrance examination conducted by the universities/ institution. They must be confident with the topics taught in their undergraduate studies. The students must prepare themselves well for the entrance examination for the Masters course. They can enrol themselves in the coaching centres. There are many online websites that provide guidance to the masters aspirants of engineering. They must learn time management while giving the mock test. The more mock tests they will give, the better will be their preparation.
Geological Engineering Courses
Aspirants of geological engineering must take up bachelors in geological engineering or mining engineering. The higher-level technical requirement includes mineralogy, fluid mechanics, soil mechanics, petrology, etc for the geological engineering degree. Design project classes flew work as well as lab work is required for these. The course of geological engineering is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Bachelor of Technology
B. Tech course is a full-time undergraduate engineering degree. The entrance exams for B.Tech in Geological Engineering that are accepted by the colleges are JEE Main/ JEE Advanced/ VITEEE etc. To become a geological engineer, the students must pursue geology as a specialization.
Admission Process: The admission process of the B. Tech course is done through online mode. Students need to clear the entrance examination in order to get admitted to the colleges. Some of the colleges also conduct counseling after the entrance examination.
Eligibility Criteria for the entrance exam: The eligibility criteria for the B. Tech course is that the candidates must clear the 10+2 level examination with a minimum of 60% of marks, and must have a valid score in the entrance examination.
Masters of Technology
M. Tech. in Geological Engineering is a full-time postgraduate engineering course. The candidates must clear the entrance examination like AP PGECET, GATE, UPCET, etc. students must pursue geology as their specialization.
Admission Process: The admission process of the M. Tech course is done through online mode. Students need to clear the entrance examination in order to get admitted to the colleges. Some of the colleges also conduct counseling after the entrance examination.
Eligibility Criteria for the entrance exam: The eligibility criteria for the B. Tech course is that the candidates must clear the Bachelors level examination with a minimum of 60% of marks, and must have a valid score in the entrance examination.
Doctoral Degree in Engineering
In order to pursue the doctoral degree in geological engineering, the student needs to clear the national entrance examination like UGC NET and CSIR-UGC NET. It is a full-time course for 3-5 years
Admission Process: The admission process for the doctoral course is through the online mode. Students need to clear the entrance examination. Some universities/ institution may conduct a personal interview round
Eligibility Criteria for the entrance exam: The eligibility criteria for the doctoral course is that the candidates must clear the master's level examination with a minimum of 60% of marks, and must have a valid score in the entrance examination.
How to become a Geological engineer Abroad
Students can also study geological engineering abroad. The USA has a good name for geological engineering. The eligibility criteria and admission process are different from that of India.
USA
The USA provides good opportunities for geological engineering. It is a three years course in the USA. On completion of the course, the students can apply for various jobs in the USA or any other country.
Admission Process: The admission process is contained on the clearance of the entrance examination conducted by the universities., and also based on the academic qualification of the student in the past years
Educational Requirements: Students willing to pursue their higher studies in geological engineering in the USA, must have passed their 10+2 level examination in science stream with Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry as the main subject or Bachelor's degree in engineering.
- They must have a GPA of 3.0-3.5 on a scale-out of 4.0 or equivalent
- Two reference letters are required from the academic professors.
- Candidates must clear TOEFL and IELTS etc.
- They must have valid citizenship certificates and valid ID proof.
Top Universities: The top Universities offering Engineering courses in the USA are the following
| Name of the Colleges | Average Fees |
|---|---|
| Missouri University of Science and Technology | $8,300 |
| Rutgers University-Newark | $9642 |
| New Mexico State University-Main Campus | $7856 |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | $9563 |
| Delaware Technical Community College | $9865 |
Philippines
Students willing to study abroad can also get admitted to the universities of the Philippines. As there are good opportunities for geological engineering. The students studying in Philippines may finish their course and get employed in some companies there itself
Admission Process- The admission to the Universities of Philippines is conditioned on the clearance of the entrance examination. Some of the universities may also conduct personal interviews after shortlisting the students from the score of the entrance examination, along with the overall academic performance in their past.
Educational Requirement- Students willing to pursue their higher studies in geological engineering in the Philippines, must have passed their 10+2 level examination in science stream with Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry as the main subject or Bachelor's degree in engineering. They must also fulfil the following criterion
- They must have a GPA of 3.0-3.5 on a scale-out of 4.0 or equivalent
- Two reference letters are required from the academic professors.
- Candidates must clear TOEFL and IELTS etc.
- They must have valid citizenship certificates and valid ID proof.
Top Universities
| Name of the Colleges | Average Fees |
|---|---|
| Virgen Milagrosa University San Carlos City | P5476 |
| Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology Manila | P9560 |
| University of Luzon Dagupan City | P3250 |
| MATS College of Technology | P4532 |
| Romblon State University | P5482 |
South Africa
Students willing to study geological engineering can also opt for the universities of South Africa. They can find their desired jobs in South Africa itself after their completion of the course.
Admission Process- The universities in South Africa follow an online admission process, based on the score obtained in the entrance examination. They also check the academic performance of the past examination.
Eligibility Requirement- The universities check for the eligibility of the applicants. The eligibility criteria as follows:
- Two reference letters are required from the academic professors.
- Candidates must clear TOEFL and IELTS etc.
- They must have a GPA of 3.0-3.5 on a scale-out of 4.0 or equivalent
- They must have valid citizenship certificates and valid ID proof.
Top Universities
| Name of the Colleges | Average Fees |
|---|---|
| University of Cape Town | R1000 |
| University of Witwatersrand | R1562 |
| University of Johannesburg | R2654 |
Benefits of Becoming a Geological Engineer
Though geological engineers work in a very challenging environment, they have certain benefits too. The major benefits of becoming a Geological Engineer are as follows,
- Salary: A geological engineer earns quite well in their service. Their annual income ranges from INR 4-6 Lakh. Their family can live a very luxurious life.
- Job Security: They have a high level of job securities. There are no uncertainties about their job. They mainly work as permanent workers. No one can dismiss them from their position without a valid reason. They enjoy high security.
- Positive Impact of the Career: Geological engineering is one of the most demanding engineering disciplines among all engineering disciplines. They design the mines, they plan the project of mining grounds, they pave the ways of transporting minerals from one place to another. They help in extracting minerals from the mines which are highly needed in our today’s life.
- Highest Studies: Doctoral degree in geological engineering is the higher studies one can do in this discipline. They can Research the mining processes or ways to extract minerals. They can invent new techniques and methods of extracting minerals from the underground. They can even work on planning roads and railways in order to transport the extracted minerals as quickly as possible. They can also perform research work on ways of extracting minerals keeping in mind the health of the mine workers.
- Unique Experience: Geological engineers design new technologies for extracting or transporting minerals from the mines. They are induced with high responsibilities of extracting, processing, and transporting the minerals. Some of the minerals are dangerous for human health, they need to keep special care to these minerals.
Skills Required to become Geological Engineer
A geological engineer must be good in studies, especially in mathematics. Besides being good at mathematics, they must have the following skills,
| Enjoy technical and engineering work | Enjoy working outdoors, sometimes in remote locations | Able to identify, analyze and solve problems |
| Good oral and written communication skills | Able to accept responsibility | Aptitude for computing and design |
| Able to work without supervision | Willing to adhere to safety requirements | Practical and creative |
Salary of a Geological Engineer
The average salary of a Geological Engineer ranges from INR 15,400- 44,000. This salary includes housing, transport, and other benefits. The salary depends on the following criteria.
Below is detailed bifurcation of the salary structure according to various specifications,
Job sectors wise
Geological Engineers can find job opportunities in governmental sectors or in private sectors. Maximum recruitment is done in the private sector, the government sector does not employ as many workers as in the private sector. The average annual salary of the governmental sectors lies in the range of INR 16000 – 18000 per month. The employed workers in the private sector have an average annual income of INR 24000-26000 per month.
| Name of Organisation | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Govt | INR 16000-18000 |
| Private | INR 25000-26000 |
Experience Wise
An experienced worker gets more salary than a fresher. This is true for every sector of the economy. Similarly a geological engineer also has his pay based on his experience. Salaries of the Geological engineers depend on their experiences. A fresher geological engineer has his/ her salary of about INR 17700-19000, and that of experienced geological engineers is around INR 41700 -44000.
| Experience | Salary |
|---|---|
| Fresher | 17700 |
| Experienced | 41700 |
How to Become a Geological Engineer: FAQs
Ques. What is the duration of the geological engineering course?
Ans. The duration of the geological engineering course is 4 years in Undergraduate and 2 years in PG.
Ques. What is the approximate total cost of the courses to become a geological engineer?
Ans. The approximate cost of studying geological engineering depends on the college or institute where the students take his/her admission. The estimated cost of the course is INR 2,25,000 in governmental colleges and around 10-15 Lakh in private colleges.
Ques. Is distance education available for geological engineering?
Ans. No, Distance education is not available for geological engineering. The engineering course is a regular course, where the students need to visit the campus on a regular basis, where the attendance count. There are marks allotted for attendance.
Ques. What is the course duration for a bachelor's in geological engineering?
Ans. The Bachelors of geological engineering course is of four years duration.
Ques. Can Arts graduates pursue geological engineering?
Ans. No, an Arts graduate cannot pursue geological engineering, as the eligibility criteria for geological engineering is that the students must be from the science stream having mathematics, physics, and chemistry as their main subjects.
Ques. What are the leadership skills required for geological engineering?
Ans. The leadership skills required for the geological engineer are that they must be able to work independently, or must work as a part of the team, they must be creative and be practical, must have aptitude for designing and computing, and must have the ability to solve difficult problems.
Ques. Is it mandatory to appear for the entrance examination for geological engineering?
Ans. Yes, the aspirants of geological engineering must appear for the entrance examination conducted by the colleges/institutions. The candidates must have a valid score in the entrance examination that is above the cut-off.
Ques. Is it compulsory to have mathematics as a main subject for pursuing geological engineering in higher studies?
Ans. Yes, the candidates willing to take up geological engineering must have mathematics as the main subject in their 10+2 level. He/ she must have a very strong base in mathematics and must aim for high marks in mathematics. They must regularly practice mathematics.
Ques. What is the job role of geological engineering?
Ans. The job role of the geological engineer is to extract minerals from the mines, the design process of extracting minerals or crude oil or pave roads for the transportation of minerals from one place to another.
Ques. Is there any internship available for the training of geological engineers?
Ans. Yes, some colleges provide internships for the training of geological engineers. Some of the reputed companies offer internship opportunities to eligible students. some of the internships are paid, and some of the internships are not paid.
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