Faculty: Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences This major focuses on the design, construction, and maintenance of underground infrastructure like tunnels and subways. Students develop skills in geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, and construction management. Graduates are prepared for careers in civil engineering, construction, and infrastructure development. **Learning Objectives:** - Understand fundamentals of tunneling and underground structures. - Develop skills in geotechnical and structural engineering, and construction management. - Learn techniques for designing, constructing, and maintaining underground infrastructure. - Explore principles of underground excavation, soil mechanics, and rock mechanics. - Analyze geotechnical data and structural performance metrics. - Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and engineering skills. **Major Outline:** 1. **Introduction to Tunneling and Underground Structures** - Overview of underground infrastructure and construction methods. 2. **Geotechnical Engineering** - Principles of soil mechanics, rock mechanics, and foundation engineering. 3. **Structural Engineering for Underground Structures** - Load analysis, structural design, and material selection for underground structures. 4. **Underground Excavation Techniques** - Tunneling methods, drilling, blasting, and mechanical excavation. 5. **Construction Management** - Project planning, scheduling, cost estimation, and quality control. 6. **Environmental Impact and Sustainability** - Environmental assessments, mitigation strategies, and sustainable practices. 7. **Safety and Risk Management** - Hazard identification, risk assessment, and safety planning. 8. **Internship/Practicum** - Real-world experiences in civil engineering firms or construction companies. 9. **Capstone Project** - Comprehensive project applying skills in geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, or construction management. **Assessment Methods:** - Geotechnical engineering analyses, structural engineering designs, excavation plans, construction management projects, environmental impact studies, safety plans, internship reports, capstone projects, group projects, and presentations. **Recommended Textbooks:** - "Tunneling and Underground Structures" by various authors. - "Geotechnical Engineering" by various authors. - "Structural Engineering for Underground Structures" by various authors. - "Underground Excavation Techniques" by various authors. - "Construction Management" by various authors. - "Environmental Impact and Sustainability" by various authors. - "Safety and Risk Management" by various authors. **Prerequisites:** Strong foundation in mathematics, physics, and an interest in civil engineering. **Major Duration:** Typically 4 years for a bachelor's degree. Advanced degrees may take an additional 1-2 years. **Certification:** Graduates may pursue certifications from organizations like the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). **Target Audience:** Aspiring civil engineers, construction managers, geotechnical engineers, and professionals seeking careers in infrastructure development. This major equips students with the skills needed to excel in tunneling and underground structures, supporting careers in designing, constructing, and maintaining underground infrastructure.