Master of Technology in Geotechnical Engineering Top Colleges, Syllabus, Scope and Salary

M.Tech. in Geotechnical Engineering is a 2-year full-time post-graduate course divided across 4 semesters. This branch of engineering involves the application of principles of soil mechanics and rock mechanics for investigation and study of subsurface materials and conditions. Such findings help deduce important information about physical materials, subsurface materials and structures, and their chemical and mechanical properties. Soil, rock, bedrock, and fault distribution properties of the project site are also studied in detail.

Studying such properties helps divulge more about the engineering properties of earth materials beneath the surface of the site. Other than that, such study also helps assess risk from natural hazards such as wind, earthquakes, landslides, etc.

Master of Technology in Tamil Nadu

Master of Technology in Uttar Pradesh

Master of Technology in Maharashtra

Master of Technology in Andhra Pradesh

Based on such findings and assessments, Geotechnical Engineers plan the design and construction of foundation and/or other support structures. At the stage of construction of risk-proof structures, inputs from Geotechnical Engineers are taken into consideration wherever required. Similarly, geotechnical engineering’s principles are applied in construction of other manmade structures such as dams, bridges, roads, tunnels, skyscrapers, ports, railway lines, and commercial buildings.

Geotechnical Engineers analyse, plan, and construct foundations and support structures. Such engineers apply engineering principles and applications to ensure a structure's stability against earthquakes, mud slides, and other natural events. These engineers may work in offices, conduct site visits and field work. Based on the job, a Geotechnical Engineer might put in overtime to ensure that a project is completed on time. 

Travel is an essential component of the line of work, with Civil Project Engineers moving from offices to construction sites as necessary, and in some cases, even overseas to supervise construction projects.

Teaching and research are other areas of employment for Civil Project Engineers. Businesses are constantly interested in new and cost-effective building techniques, leading Civil Project Engineers to perform research-based roles as well.

The average annual course fee in India ranges between INR 30,000 and 3 lacs, depending upon the institute offering the course.  The average annual salary offered in India to successful postgraduates of the course ranges between INR 2 and 12 lacs, depending upon the candidate’s expertise in the field.

M.Tech. in Geotechnical Engineering: Course Highlights

Tabulated below are some of the major highlights of the course.

M.Tech. in Geotechnical Engineering: What is it about?

Geotechnical Engineering is the study of the behaviour of various kinds of soil under the influence of loading forces and soil-water interactions. Such information is applied to the design of foundations, earth dams, retaining walls, geo synthetics, and clay liners for waste containment. Goals of Geotechnical Engineers may include design of foundations and temporary excavation support, route selection for railways and highways, and important areas of landfill disposal of waste and groundwater contamination. 

Often, Geotechnical Engineers are involved in field and laboratory investigations to determine engineering properties of site-specific soils and other geo materials and their subsequent use in the analytical study of the topic at hand.

Constant computational and computer advances keep improving science’s ability to predict the behaviour of soil and soil-water systems under a wide variety of conditions. Of late, the activities of Geotechnical Engineers have also begun including geo-environmental engineering. Such engineers design strategies for the clean-up of contaminated soil and groundwater, and develop management systems for contaminated sites.

Top Institutes offering M.Tech. in Geotechnical Engineering

Some of the top colleges/institutes offering the course in the country with the corresponding locations and fees charged by the respective colleges are listed below.

Eligibility for M.Tech. in Geotechnical Engineering

As a minimum criterion of eligibility, aspiring candidates need to meet the following minimum eligibility criteria:

• B.E. or B.Tech. in Civil Engineering/ Civil Infrastructure Engineering/ Architecture Engineering/ Geo Informatics Engineering/ Structural Engineering from a recognized university.
• A minimum aggregate score of 60% at the level of graduation.

M.Tech. in Geotechnical Engineering: Admission Process

Admission to the course in India is made on the basis of the candidate’s performance in a relevant written test and/or a round of Personal Interview and/or performance in a relevant qualifying examination. Candidates are shortlisted based on both academic record and performance in a relevant nation-wide Entrance Exam

M.Tech. in Geotechnical Engineering: Syllabus and Course Description

A semester - wise breakup of the course’s syllabus is tabulated below.

M.Tech. in Geotechnical Engineering: Career Prospects

Career opportunities in the government and private sectors galore for qualified Geotechnical Engineers. Organizations involved in construction of commercial buildings, public structures, and other manmade structures, mining, extraction of petroleum and natural gas, construction firms, consultancies, infrastructure development recruit such geotechnical engineers.

Public sector organizations such as PWD, Municipal Corporations, Urban planning departments, Government Port Trusts, ONGC, NHAI, Indian Railways, and Metro Rail Corporations etc. are some other popular recruiters in the discipline.

Geotechnical Engineers are typically involved in duties such as site supervision, inspection of soil, rocks, bedrock, project analysis, design and construction of foundation and other necessary structures, etc. Usually, their job involves site work, supervision, design, cost estimation, and project management.

Some of the popular professional avenues open to such postgraduates are listed below with the corresponding salaries offered for the respective positions.

Aspirants seeking admission to 2-year full-time M.Tech Program should meet the following criteria as specified by the institute.

Academic Requirement:

Candidate should have passed B.E./B.Tech or equivalent qualification of minimum four years duration, with at least 50% marks in aggregate from a recognized University.

Entrance Exam:

Candidates must qualify GATE Score.