Seminars for M. Sc. students - V level (engineering geology) (part 2)

Master's seminars

Student should have the theoretical and practical knowledge of:

- geological-engineering mapping,

- methodology of geological-engineering field tests and soil sampling,

- methodology of laboratory tests,

- methods of preparing and presenting of test results,

- error analysis, probability analysis and statistical methods for analysis of test result,

- geological-engineering assessment of geological for various constructions

The knowledge mentioned above is presented during following lectures:

- Soil Mechanics,

- Engineering Geology,

- Soil Science,

- Geomechanics,

- Geotechnics.

Seminar acquaints students with the problems of conducting research, the implementation of MSc thesis in engineering geology specialty, and assists in the preparation and execution of the subsequent stages of thesis implementation.

During the seminar students give presentation directly related to the topics of master's thesis. After field tests and observations during the master’s summer practice students have the material to produce necessary maps (documentary, geomorphological, geological and hydrogeological) on a scale of 1:10 000

Presentation contains:

- results of field reserach,

- program of laboratory tests,

- results of laboratory tests and their interpretation,

- prepared parts of the thesis.

During the seminar students present the results of field research, laboratory tests and archival data related to theirs thesis. In the winter semester, after returning from the master’s field practice, students present a cartographic approach to field test results and compare them against archive data. Several maps (documentary, geomorphological, geodynamic processes, hydrogeological) are presented. Students determine the detailed program of laboratory tests. The laboratory tests program include the number and type of samples, type of equipment used and test methods. Results analysis include criteria of geological-engineering concisions. Second presentation includes a map of geological-engineering regionalization as the sum of synthetic data with different analytical maps which allow to separate regions with similar geological-engineering conditions and with similar properties of subsoil. Students also show the synthetic geo-engineering cross section of the thesis area. Students present the progress in preparation of the next chapters of the thesis. The following topics and the following stages of work are discussed:

- methodology for the research and the implementation of the thesis,

- results of field tests and methods of their interpretation,

- results of laboratory tests and methods of their interpretation,

- statistical and graphical methods for presenting tests results,

- methods of analysis and synthesis of the results.

After completing the course a student:

- knows methodology of implementation of the thesis,

- has the ability to prepare a table of contents, which takes into account its objectives and all the necessary parts,

- has a detailed knowledge of the methods of field and laboratory tests used in engineering geology,

- consider the statistical data and present it graphically,

- is able to analyze and synthesizes of field and laboratory results,

- has the ability to plan the geological-engineering works for various construction projects,

- knows the rules and knows how to prepare the geological-engineering documentation for various construction projects,

- is able to prepare synthetic geological-engineering maps (geological-engineering conditions and geological-engineering regionalization),

- has the ability to present the results of modern field and laboratory tests.

Evaluation based on the presentation (1-2 per semester) and materials prepared to presentation.

Requirements that are considered to evaluation:

- professional level of presentation and prepared materials,

- visual form of presentation and its attractiveness,

- communication skills,

- participate in the discussion.