Program Overview

Program Overview

Geological Engineering blends aspects of earth sciences, civil engineering and mining engineering with a fundamental understanding of the earth’s surface and near-surface environments. In collaboration with the Faculty of Science, students assess the physical landscapes where dams, mines, roads, pipelines, railways, forestry and other extractive operations are planned.

Student Skills

Geological Engineering students are analytical problem-solvers who are passionate about the outdoors and are intrigued by digging deeper. Some highlights of what our Co-op students can do include:

• Provide case history analysis of environmental and geotechnical problems
• Investigate geotechnical conditions for major works (dams, tunnels, transportation corridors, pipelines)
• Conduct geophysical surveys for geotechnical or resource applications

Sample Courses

Some sample courses include:

• Soil Mechanics II
• Computational Methods in Geological Engineering
• Quantitative Groundwater Hydrology
• Environmental, Geotechnical, and Exploration Geophysics I
• Field Techniques

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities for Geological Engineering graduates include:

• Civil design
• Environmental protection and control
• Mineral and energy exploration
• Pipeline development and planning
• Public utilities

Class Profile

The class profile includes:

• Availability: May, Sept, Jan
• Median Salary (CAD): $4,680
• Work Terms: 4, 8, 12 or 16 months
• UBC Campus: Vancouver
• Options: Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Natural Resources Engineering

Program Details

The program is part of the Applied Science Co-op: Engineering and Architecture at the University of British Columbia. The university is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm people (Musqueam). The land has always been a place of learning for the Musqueam and Syilx peoples, who for millennia have passed on their culture, history, and traditions from one generation to the next.