Geological Engineering Courses

An introductory study covering topographic and geological maps (bedrock and surficial) and their interpretation; construction of cross sections; identification of common minerals, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks; geological structures (map analysis as a predictive tool); dating and the geological time scale; coastal processes; mass wasting (especially the recognition and amelioration of hazards related to debris flows, avalanche and landslides); and glaciations and glacial deposits (especially glacial deposits in eastern Canada and their significance to engineers).

A study of geological materials and hazards for site investigation and assessment of risk and remediation; engineering classification of geological materials, properties and relationships; engineering in the existing and changing environment and exacerbation of natural processes; geological constraints for construction, foundations, tunnelling, waste disposal and mining, with case histories of geological problems in engineering projects.

Study of the mass balance of glaciers and characteristics of flow, erosion and deposition by active and stagnant ice masses, facies relationships in processes and products of glaciated terrain, and assessment of terrain from air photos, maps, geophysical and core data. Practical applications include: relevance of sample collection and analyses for geotechnical evaluation and mineral prospecting, and identification of industrial resources and terrain hazards.

Lectures and labs investigate applications of rock mechanics and rock engineering principles, using geological and geomechanical data in the open-ended design of surface and underground engineering structures sited in rocks, as well as geo-hazard mitigation. Analysis of design problems incorporates several industry standard software packages. The natural variability of geomaterials and implications for effective design solutions are discussed.

Working in teams, students will complete a full year Geological engineering design project that draws on knowledge and skills obtained in previous courses. With support from academic and industry mentors, student teams will design a structure, system, process or resource management or development plan to meet a broad range of specified constraints for an identified client. Students will manage their projects professionally, prepare comprehensive design documentation, and present and defend all aspects of their design to the client and broader audience.

Covers important topics in quantitative hydrogeology, including: principles of saturated and unsaturated groundwater flow, solutions to groundwater flow problems, well hydraulics and pumping tests, and contaminant migration and attenuation processes in groundwater.

Each student will work on an approved research project. The student will: present a proposal which will serve as the basis for the project carry out work on the project with the guidance of an approved supervisor submit written progress reports at specified times write a final report at completion of the project, present the subject of the report orally, and attend similar presentations by colleagues.