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Graduate Programs (M.Eng., M.A.Sc., Ph.D.)
Overview
UBC Geological Engineering offers graduate programs at both the Master’s (MEng and MASc) and Doctorate levels, as well as a Graduate Certificate. These programs are designed for students interested in the application of earth sciences principles to engineering problems. Please see below to learn more about each program.
While most geological engineering degree programs are based in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, students may also base their studies in allied Applied Science departments such as Civil or Mining Engineering. The program is highly interdisciplinary and draws upon courses, laboratories, and faculty members from the departments of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Civil Engineering, Mining Engineering, Forestry, Geography, and others. Graduate students are often co-supervised by faculty members from different departments.
Prospective students
Visit here to learn how to apply for graduate studies in the EOAS department and refer to the sections below for program-specific admission requirements.
Master of Engineering (MEng)
The MEng program is a course-based professional development degree designed for industry-focused careers.
Master of Applied Science (MASc)
The MASc program is a thesis-based, research-intensive program that provides hands-on experience in Geological Engineering.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Our PhD program is available in both full-time and part-time formats, with the latter designed for professionals balancing work and research.
What makes our programs unique
Geological Engineering is an interdisciplinary field in which principles of geoscience are used to solve engineering and environmental problems. It connects geology, physics and chemistry with civil engineering and other fields (e.g. mining, geography, forestry) to provide a versatile set of skills applicable to a wide range of contemporary problems. The qualifications of a geological engineer are similar to those of a civil engineer with geotechnical or environmental specialization; however, our graduates have the advantage of a better understanding of geological processes.
Emphasis in our graduate courses is placed on case histories and project work that target the integration of field techniques/data with advanced numerical modelling to better understand the importance of underlying processes, mechanisms, and interactions that can affect engineering designs.
Research
Visit our Research page for more information on research areas in Geological Engineering. Faculty members in the Geological Engineering program have research interests in the following general areas:
- Landslides, debris flows, engineering geology, slope stability
- Groundwater hydrology, groundwater contamination and remediation, reactive transport modeling, environmental geochemistry
- Rock engineering, rock slopes, and tunneling
- Other areas such as geotechnical engineering, environmental geology, economic geology, and applied geophysics
Students who want to pursue a Master’s or PhD degree in Geological Engineering are encouraged to consult individual faculty members for information about current research areas.
Looking for more information?
Explore the resources below to learn more about graduate studies in Geological Engineering.