24 undergraduate courses in the 2026–27 Undergraduate Calendar.
GEOE 100Environmental and Geological Engineering Concepts0.75 units
An introduction to engineering concepts for first-year Environmental and Geological Engineering students, including site design, design visualization, and public stakeholder communication. Laboratory sessions expose students to traditional field surveying, modern topographic surveying, engineering graphics, guidelines and regulations, and design visualization. Introduction to the practice and ethics of professional engineering, including licensure and accreditation.
Introduction to computer programming, examples of efficient numerical algorithms for basic scientific computations. Programming and problem solving concepts introduced in the course will be incorporated into group projects involving civil, environmental, or geological engineering applications. The language of instruction will be Matlab.
GEOE 123Electrical Circuits and Instrumentation0.50 units
Charge, current, and voltage. Voltage and current sources, resistors, capacitors, and inductors. Ohm's Law, Kirchhoff's Laws, nodal analysis, instrumentation amplifier circuits, impedance. Function and characteristics of basic electrical transducers. Resolution, precision, and accuracy. Basics of data acquisition.
This course studies earth materials and processes from an engineering point of view through case histories and problem sets. The course develops a geological knowledge for applications to any physical environment and provides an appreciation of the impact of engineering work on the environment. Topics include mineral and rock identification, the rock cycle, structural geology and tectonics, geology of Canada, effects of water, ice and wind. Students are also introduced to the concept of geologic time, topographic and geologic maps, and the basic principles and tools used to determine geologic history.
Calculus of functions of several variables. Differentiation; partial derivatives of implicit and explicit functions, applications including optimizations. Integration; multiple integrals in various co-ordinate systems with applications. Vector calculus; vector fields, line integrals, surface integrals, and applications. Numerical integration and differentiation.
GEOE 223Differential Equations and Balance Laws0.50 units
An introduction to ordinary differential equations with applications to mass and energy balance problems in engineering. Standard methods of solution of first and second order linear equations with constant coefficients. Numerical methods for solving ordinary differential equations. Partial differential equations.
Role of probability in engineering and decision-making under uncertainty. Basic probability concepts. Probability distributions. Functions of random variables. Data analysis. Confidence intervals and hypothesis testing. Introduction to regression analysis. Introduction to design of experiments and statistical quality control.
An introduction to fluid mechanics. Fluid properties. Review of fluid statics. Buoyancy. Bernoulli equation. The momentum equation and applications. Laminar and turbulent flow. Dimensionless numbers. Closed conduit flow including friction losses. Pipe network analysis including energy losses and efficiencies. Four lab sessions.
An introduction to geologic processes. Subsurface exploration. Classification systems. Weight-volume relationships. Soil mechanics principles including state of stress, ground water flow, consolidation and shear strength. Four lab sessions.
Foundation engineering. Earth pressure theories. Retaining walls. Anchors. Shallow and deep foundations. Braced trenches and excavations. Slope stability.
GEOE 391Law and Ethics for Environmental and Geological Engineers0.50 units
Philosophy of environmental controls; introduction to national and international regulatory structures relevant to industrial planning, emissions control, environmental impact assessment, occupational health; stance of government, industry and community pressure groups. Contract law. Professional ethics, including the social responsibility of engineers, conflicts of interest.
GEOE 392Economics and Life Cycle Cost Analysis0.50 units
Project financing, life-cycle cost analysis, time value of money, sensitivity analyses, tax, financial implications of infrastructure projects, quantitative decision-making, financial aspects of a business plan.
GEOE 400Geological Engineering Design Project 10.50 units
Students must undertake a team-based geological engineering design project during the last two terms of their program. The purpose of the project is to demonstrate students' abilities to practice in a geological engineering capacity in their chosen area of expertise, using knowledge gained from their academic and employment experiences. Typically, experiential learning opportunities are incorporated to support undergraduate students in developing and advancing their teamwork skills. The first part of the project (GEOE 400) will include problem identification, generation and selection of solutions, and project management. Incorporation of technical, ecological, social, political, and economic issues in the solution for the project will be required. Sustainability considerations will be emphasized. Requirements include proposal, progress report, oral presentation, and a final report containing design recommendations for part two of the project, GEOE 401.
GEOE 401Geological Engineering Design Project 20.50 units
The course is a continuation of GEOE 400. The final design of the major geological engineering project proposed in GEOE 400 will be undertaken. The purpose of this phase of the project is to carry out a detailed team-based technical design of the solution proposed in GEOE 400. Requirements of this part of the two-term project include a symposium presentation and a final report.
GEOE 495Design Intensive Special Topics in Geological Engineering0.50 units
A special topics course on design intensive advanced topics in geological engineering is offered from time to time, when resources are available. For the current offering, inquire at the Department.
GEOE 497Special Topics in Geological Engineering0.50 units
A special topics course on advanced topics in geological engineering is offered from time to time, when resources are available. For the current offering, inquire at the Department.
Simulation of geotechnical consulting practice. Students are required to complete several projects, based on actual case studies, which require problem identification, evaluation of geotechnical data, analysis, design, and report preparations.