Faculty of Engineering

Geological Engineering is an interdisciplinary program involving the Faculties of Engineering and Science, in particular, the Departments of Civil Engineering and Earth Sciences. The program is administered by the Geological Engineering Board which consists of faculty from both departments.

Geological Engineers study the origins and properties of earth materials, and learn how to predict the behaviour of these materials. This information is used to design structures in or on soil and rock, design mineral extraction processes in mining and petroleum engineering, explore for and protect groundwater sources, plan and design transportation routes, and so on.

Employment opportunities for Geological Engineers are available in the areas of petroleum geology and engineering, mining geology and mine design, foundations engineering, groundwater and surface water management, geophysics, hydrology, coastal engineering and granular materials supply. Geological Engineering graduates with strength in the geotechnical area find their employment activities most closely associated with public works such as site investigation and design studies for tunnels, roads, railroads, buildings, airports, shorelines, underground storage, and waste disposal facilities.

An increasing amount of activity lies in the geotechnical investigations associated with mining development, and geomechanical aspects of petroleum recovery, both conventional and unconventional such as tar sands development and in-situ heavy oil extraction. The Geological Engineering graduate specializing in hydrogeology and subsurface fluid flow will become involved in environmental site evaluation, groundwater resource management and contaminated site restoration, and will play a significant role in geothermal and petroleum resource exploration and development.

The demand for the expertise offered by geological engineers is expanding into many of the resource-development areas that will continue to play a major role in the Canadian economy for many decades.

Two technical themes are offered within the Geological Engineering program; the Geomechanics Theme and the Hydrogeology Theme. Students must declare which Technical Theme they intend to pursue at the beginning of Term 3B.

Different course structures are recommended in each Theme for the 3B, 4A, and 4B terms, as outlined in the Academic Program. Modifications to the recommended course schedule in either Theme are possible through discussion and approval by the Academic Advisor or Program Chair.