MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING GEOLOGY WITH GEOPHYSICS
The development of a nation relies heavily on the construction of key infrastructure such as dams, highways, industrial complexes, ports, and airports. These large-scale projects demand a thorough understanding of the interaction between earth materials, geological conditions, and engineered structures. The characterization of earth materials and masses is therefore essential to ensure the safety, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of construction. As Malaysia progresses toward developed nation status, the demand for such infrastructure is expected to grow significantly—including in areas that are geologically challenging or previously deemed unsuitable for development.
Engineering geological input plays a vital role in supporting safe and efficient construction practices. Complementing this, geophysical methods provide non-invasive means to identify geological hazards, assess ground stability, and gather crucial subsurface data during the planning and design stages of a project.
This programme is designed to further train geoscientists to anticipate, evaluate, and address potential geotechnical and geological challenges that may arise during construction. Participants will gain the expertise to propose practical, safe, and economical solutions. Additionally, the programme will enhance their ability to apply both geological and geophysical techniques to conduct thorough investigations at and beneath the earth’s surface—an essential competency in the successful development of modern infrastructure.
Dr. Muhammad Taqiuddin Zakaria
Programme Coordinator
taqiuddin@ukm.edu.my
taqiuddin@ukm.edu.my
Programme Structure
Course Synopsis
Entry Requirement
Career Prospect
Tuition Fees
Programme Structure
Study Duration
Minimum 2 semesters (full time) / 4 semesters (part time)
Maximum 4 semesters (full time) / 8 semesters (part time)
*all lectures during weekdays and office hours (including part time)
Intake
2 times a year (March & October)
*subjected to UKM academic calendar
| Semester | Course Type | Course Code & Name | Total Credit |
| I | Core Course | STAG6032 Fundamental Geology STAG6244 Rock Engineering STAG6274 Geophysics Processing and Interpretation STAG6254 Engineering and Environmental Geophysics STAG6014 Geoscience Research Project 1 | 18 |
| Elective Course | STAG6112 Applied Structural Geology OR STAG6382 Applied Hydrogeology | 2 | |
| II | Core Course | STAG6224 Soil Engineering STAG6343 Site Investigation (SI) and Geotechnical Design STAG6323 Engineering Geology and Geohazard STAG6312 Earth Resources Exploration STAG6486 Geoscience Research Project 2 | 18 |
| Elective Course | STAG6372 Contaminated Land Assessment and Remediation | 2 | |
Total Credits | 40 | ||
Course Synopsis
STAG6032 Fundamental Geology
The course covers fundamentals of geology; Earth’s history and Earth’s formation, Earth’s system, Earth’s structure. Earth materials; minerals and mineral classification, rocks (igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks), soils, sediments. The course also provides exposure to Bentong Raub Sutura (BRS) which is exposed in the central part of Peninsular Malaysia, Genting Sempah Area, East Cameron Highland, East-West Highway, the southern part and the correlation with the Main Range of Peninsular Malaysia. The main topics involved discussions on the distribution of sedimentary rocks in Peninsular Malaysia; Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks in the Western, Central and Eastern Belts.
STAG6244 Rock Engineering
Introduction, background and development of rock mechanics and geomechanics. Geology based rock mechanics. Rock mass classification systems: SMR and GSI systems. Inhomogeniety and anisotropy. Role of discontinuities in the mechanical behaviour of rock materials and rock masses. Discontinuity characterization. Rock mechanics inputs for subsurface construction (tunnels, caverns), dams and industrial plants. Practical classes will involve the determination of the physical and mechanical properties of rock materials and rock masses in the laboratory and field, together with problem solving exercises related to rock stability in construction.
STAG6274 Geophysics processing and Interpretation
The subject will introduce integration of the latest geophysics data processing and interpretation techniques used in engineering investigation, environmental and earth resources exploration. Students will be exposed to data acquisition, image presentation and enhancement, rock petrophysical properties and the fundamentals of qualitative and semi-quantitative interpretation of imagery
STAG6254 Engineering and Environmental Geophysics
The subject will introduce integration of the latest geophysics techniques used in engineering investigation and environmental. Students will be exposed with basic concept for every main geophysical method and application in engineering and environment.
STAG6014 Geoscience Research Project 1
This course aims to explain research proposals, UKM thesis style, data presentation, abstract, introduction, literature review, analysis and synthesis of geological data such as thin sections observation, geological maps and cross sections. The geoscience research methodology course also covers technique, analysis and synthesis of geochemical data, sedimentological data, geophysical data and engineering data, writing technique for discussion, conclusions and references. Students will also be exposed to the professional practice & project management involving the geological entrepreneurship industry.
STAG6112 Applied Structural Geology
This course covers fundamental and advanced theoretical and skills of structural geology to comprehend the aspects of structural style, what factors control the style, and incorporate the style into an interpretation. Topics include deformation and structures from meso to microscale, tectonics and structural provinces, geometric and kinematic analysis, dynamic and mechanical analysis, structural interpretation and reconstruction, GIS and geological modeling, and practical applications of structural geology to engineering and geohazards, exploration and exploitation. Concepts are illustrated with field examples of seismic and outcrop data and reinforced with practical exercises using real data.
STAG6382 Applied Hydrogeology
This course is about developing a hydrogeological conceptual model of area using geological information, pumping test and groundwater chemistry data. Before that, students will be introduced with basic concepts such as hydrologic cycle, physical, chemical and hydraulic properties of aquifer, aquiclude and aquitard and the principle of groundwater flow.
STAG6224 Soil Engineering
This course discusses characteristics and behavior of soil based on the grain size distribution, mineralogy, soil classification, consistency level, compaction, permeability, shear strength and consolidation. Students will be exposed with the calculation for effective stress and lateral earth pressure. Students are then exposed with Problem Based Learning through slope stability analysis using soil characteristics and behavior learned
STAG6343 Site Investigation (SI) and Geotechnical Design
This course discusses the basic principles of integrated site investigation and geotechnical design. Site investigation involves borehole recording technique, borehole sampling, and core log analysis of the borehole. The student will be exposed to the site investigation case studies of the construction site (pre and post-construction) and recommend appropriate geotechnical design according to the geological condition of the site.
STAG6323 Engineering Geology and Geohazard
Classification of geohazards. Concept of hazard and risk. Landslides: definition, identification, and classification. Landslide hazard and risk management. Case studies. Subsidence and sinkholes. Earthquakes: classification, magnitude, and intensity. Detection and measurement. Earthquake hazard and mitigation. Tsunami: background and characterization. Impact, damage, monitoring, early warning and mitigation. Malaysia’s policy and planning response for earthquake and tsunami hazards. Floods. Erosion. Hazard and risk management.
STAG6312 Earth Resources Exploration
The subject will introduce integration of the latest exploration techniques used in earth resources exploration including geophysics, geochemistry and applied geology. Students will be exposed to data acquisition, image presentation and enhancement; rock petrophysical properties; and the fundamentals of qualitative and semi-quantitative interpretation of imagery.
STAG6486 Geoscience Research Project 2
This course aims to evaluate student’s research and technical writing skills through their involvement with projects from industry. The technical write up consists of these elements: abstract, short literature review, methodology, result and discussion and conclusion.
STAG6372 Contaminated Land Assessment and Remediation
Land contamination is of global concern with many of the world’s industries potentially harming the environment and human health. The contaminants in the ground can pose a significant risk to human health and the environment. The aim of the course is to provide a knowledge of the required processes for managing contaminated or potentially contaminated land. The course explains what steps need to be taken when soil and groundwater contamination are encountered. What options are available and the regulation requirements that need to be fulfilled. Several case studies in Japan, USA and Malaysia will also be reviewed and studied.
Entry Requirement
- Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field with minimum CGPA 2.50 or equivalent, from any institutions of higher learning recognized by the UKM Senate; or
- Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field with minimum CGPA 2.00 – 2.49 or equivalent, with minimum of 5 years working experience or research project in relevant field. Proof of the working experience of a foreign candidate should be acknowledge by the embassy of the respective country; or
- Fulfill Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL A) for local candidates only:
- should be more than 30 years of age in the year of application; and
- possess at least STPM or diploma in relevant field or other equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of Malaysia and approved by the UKM Senate; and
- possess a certificate of MQA APEL with MQF Level 7
- An international student shall obtain minimum results of either
- TOEFL iBT score 46 or
- IELTS band 5.5 or
- PTE score 51 or
- CEFR band B2 or
- MUET band 4 or
- Higher Education English Test (HEET) score 7 or
- An international student who comes from a country where English is the official language, or who has obtained academic qualifications from any institution of higher learning that uses English as the medium of instruction may be exempted from the requirement for HEET / TOEFL / IELTS)
Career Prospect
- Engineering geologist
- Geotechnical engineer
- Mineral & Geoscience officer
- Geology consultant
- Offshore geotechnical/geophysicist
Tuition Fees
Local
RM5,970.00 / study (minimum 2 semesters)
- RM 1,010.00 – Registration Fee (1st semester only)
- RM 420.00 – Service & Activity Fee (every semester)
- RM 103.00 – Tuition Fee (per credit)
- RM 1,430.00 + (RM 103.00 x no. of credit) – total fee for 1st semester
- RM 420.00 + (RM 103.00 x no. of credit) – total fee for subsequent semester
International
RM37,610.00 / study (minimum 2 semesters)
- RM 1,410.00 – Registration Fee (1st semester only)
- RM 18,100.00 – Tuition Fee
- RM 19,510.00 – total fee for 1st semester
- RM 18,100.00 – total fee for subsequent semester