Program Overview
Your degree in Geological Engineering
Skills you’ll develop
While studying Geological Engineering, you’re learning about the earth’s physical structure and its mechanics as it relates to engineering design. You’ll develop important skills to design sustainable infrastructure projects, support natural resource development and develop programs to protect the environment.
These skills include:
- Conducting scientific research and quantitative analyses for large energy and infrastructure projects
- Application of rock mechanics, soil mechanics, and hydrogeology principles in designing foundations for construction, forestry, civil, and other engineering activities
- Designing and carrying out geotechnical site investigations to assess built structures including tunnels, highways, pipelines, reservoirs, and mines
- Conducting theoretical studies to determine impact of natural hazards on infrastructures and proposing remediation plans
- Analysis of groundwater flow systems to assess risk of contamination and providing recommendations for wastewater treatment strategies
- Usage of advanced geological exploration tools, specialized lab equipment and software such as Rocscience and ArcGIS
- Collection and interpretation of geophysical data to identify and assess environmental risk of a project and developing appropriate control measures
Career possibilities
Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including civil design, environmental protection and control, mineral and energy exploration, pipeline development and planning, public utilities, water resource management, natural hazard mitigation, and others.
There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Some career options include:
- Assayer
- Civil engineer
- Construction project engineer
- Environmental consultant
- Excavation designer
- Exploration geologist
- Geodetic engineer
- Geological engineer
- Geological prospecting technologist
- Geomatics engineer
- Geophysical engineer
- Geospatial software developer
- Geotechnical engineer
- Groundwater resource project manager
- Hydrogeological engineer
- Hydrology field program manager
- Infrastructure planning engineer
- Land surveyor
- Mine planning engineer
- Mining engineer
- Municipal planner
- Oil and gas production engineer
- Open pit mine engineer
- Petrography engineer
- Petroleum reservoir engineer
- Pipeline integrity engineer
- Remediation specialist
- Research and development engineer
- Rock sciences engineer or Rock mechanics engineer
- Senior foundation engineer
- Site cavern engineer
- Soil engineer
- Structural engineer
- Tunnel engineer
- Water resource engineer
Make the most of your program
Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help clarify your values and interests. Some ways to get involved include:
- GEOROX, UBC Geological Engineering Undergraduate Club
- UBC BC Water and Waste Association, Student Chapter
- UBC Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, Student Chapter
- Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, UBC Student Chapter
- UBC Earthquake Engineering Research Institute Seismic Design Team
- UBC Concrete Canoe
- UBC Steel Bridge
- Sustaingineering
- Departmental research opportunities
- UBC Engineering Co-op
- Engineering job board
- Volunteer at the GeoConvention
- BC MEND Metal Leaching and Acid Rock Drainage Workshop
Build your network
Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. Some professional associations to consider include:
- Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC
- Association for Mineral Exploration BC
- Association of Consulting Engineering Companies Canada
- BC Construction Association
- BC Environment Industry Association
- BC Land Surveyors
- Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
- Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades, and Technology
- Canadian Dam Association
- Canadian Fuels Association
- Canadian Gas Association
- Canadian Geological Foundation
- Canadian Geotechnical Society
- Canadian Institute of Geomatics
- Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum
- Canadian Land Reclamation Association
- Canadian Society for Professional Engineers
- Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists
- Canadian Water Resources Association
- Centre of Training Excellence in Mining
- Engineering Institute of Canada
- Engineers and Geoscientists BC
- Engineers Canada
- Explorers and Producers Association of Canada
- Geological Association of Canada
- Geological Society of America
- Mineralogical Association of Canada
- Mining Association of British Columbia
- Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada
- Society of Economic Geologists, UBC Chapter
- Tunnelling Association of Canada, BC Chapter
- Vancouver Geotechnical Society
Connect with alumni
Find UBC Geological Engineering graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths. Take note of interesting job titles, organizations, and experiences you may want to explore. If a particular story or profile aligns with your goals, consider reaching out for an informational interview.