USING THE COMPANY-BASED PROJECT APPROACH TO TEACH ENGINEERING GEOLOGY

Engineering geology, often taught in lecture format lacks perspective tied to standards of professional practice and conduct. At best, it focuses on theory, but is often taught as an enhanced introductory physical geology course. Many graduates enter the profession ill-equipped to identify and solve applied problems.

We have developed an engineering geology curriculum based on company projects to address these shortcomings. Content is presented through on-line modules where students master assignments prior to class. Labs, scaffolded to provide knowledge for completion of company projects, focus on techniques, data collection and application.

Company projects are the core of the course. Five sudents form a separate company. Out-of-class assignments require the students to select a company name, design a logo, set up a LLC, and register as a geoscience company. Seven company projects are assigned during the semester. Projects of increasing difficulty introduce, via letters to each company, the terms for the projects. For example, the first company project introduces the problem, establishes objectives, provides techniques and analysis in lab plus additional data packages. Subsequent projects contain less and less guidance and the last project letter is more or less “we think we have a problem and we need your help.” The project topics cover a variety from individual land owner to city, county, state organizations and federal agencies with an international geographic scope. At the completion of each project a written report is submitted. Students are taught how to calculate work time and submit a detailed bill for the completed project. After each project is submitted, the instructor meets with each group to discuss its report.

 Learning outcomes addressed include: identifying and developing solutions for real-world engineering geology problems, using GIS, manipulating big data sets, using statistics, writing reports, giving oral presentations, professional ethics, interpersonal communication, engineering geology field and lab techniques and analysis, and team building. Students complete this course with the education and perspective ready to become members of a professional company team.