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Geological Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.E.) - View all program options

Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.

Geological engineers connect the worlds of nature and engineering by applying engineering principles to natural materials and fluids found within the Earth, including rocks, soils, groundwater, petroleum, and natural gas. The program also offers a mining option for students interested in exploring resource extraction and related engineering practices.

Not a USask student?

Learn more about studying geological engineering at USask and apply for admission.

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.

Year 1 courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

Fall Term
GE 102.2 | Introduction to Engineering I
GE 112.1 | Engineering Discipline Experience
GE 122.2 | Engineering Mechanics I
GE 132.1 | Engineering Communications I
GE 140.1 | Design I
GE 152.1 | Electrical Circuits I
GE 172.1 | Engineering Programming
CMPT 142.3 | Introduction to Computer Science for Engineers
MATH 133.4 | Engineering Mathematics I

Natural Science Series
    BIOL 102.1 | Nature for Engineering
    CHEM 142.1 | Global Impact of Chemistry for Engineering
    GEOL 102.1 | Introduction to Geology for Engineering
    PHYS 152.1 | Introduction to Atoms and Nuclei for Engineering

Winter Term
GE 103.1 | Introduction to Engineering II
GE 123.3 | Engineering Mechanics II
GE 133.2 | Engineering Communication II
GE 143.2 | Design II
GE 183.2 | Mechanics and Problem Analysis in Civil Geological and Environmental Engineering
CHEM 146.3 | General Chemistry for Engineering
MATH 134.3 | Engineering Mathematics II
PHYS 156.3 | Electromagnetism and Waves for Engineering

Discipline bridge course:

Academic tips

  • Explore information about the Geological Engineering program in the course and program catalogue
  • Meet with an academic advisor in the Engineering Student Centre, or the Undergraduate Program Chair in Geological Engineering, for help choosing your courses and planning your degree
  • Maintain a minimum yearly average of 60% to advance to the next year of the program
  • First-year grades matter – entry into Geological Engineering is competitive, and acceptance into the program is based on your cumulative average from First Year
  • Visit the student Learning Hub for help developing your academic skills
  • Apply for College of Engineering and university scholarships, awards and bursaries
  • Read the College of Engineering weekly e-newsletter, “The Explorer”, sent out every two weeks during the academic year
What will I learn?
  • Learn about the exploration, development and recovery of subsurface resources, subsurface waste disposal, assessment and protection of groundwater resources
  • Learn about the design and development of stable foundations for civil structures such as buildings, bridges, highways and dams
  • Discover a broad background in aspects of geotechnical, mining, and petroleum engineering

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

 Featured courses

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.

Year 2 courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

Fall Term
CE 202.3 | Spatial Analysis and Engineering Drawings
CE 213.3 | Mechanics of Materials
GE 210.3 | Probability and Statistics
GEOL 121.3 | Earth Processes
MATH 223.3 | Calculus III for Engineers

Winter Term
CE 212.3 | Civil Engineering Materials
CE 225.3 | Fluid Mechanics
GEOE 218.3 | Engineering Geology
GEOE 295.3 | Design Project
MATH 224.3 | Calculus IV for Engineers

Fall or Winter Term
RCM 200.3 | Effective Professional Communication

You choose
Year 3 courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

Fall Term
CE 318.3 | Numerical Methods in Civil Geological and Environmental Engineering
CE 328.3 | Fundamentals of Soil Mechanics
GEOL 224.3 | Mineralogy
GEOL 245.3 | Introduction to Sedimentary Rocks
GEOL 300.3 | Structural Geology

Winter Term
CE 330.3 | Geotechnical Engineering
GEOE 315.3 | Rock Mechanics
GEOE 375.3 | Engineering Hydrogeology
GEOL 226.3 | Introductory Petrology

Fall or Winter Term
GE 348.3 | Engineering Economics

Spring Term
GEOE 378.3 | Engineering Geological Mapping

You choose
  • One course (3 c.u.) from the Group A Elective
  • One course (3 c.u.) from the Group B Elective (Note: This specific Group B Elective can be taken in either Year 3 or Year 4, Fall Term or Winter Term, when available.)

Academic tips

Add to your major

Choose from a variety of options to complement your major.

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

USask Student Competencies

USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:

  • Engaging in our intercultural society
  • Nurturing successful relationships
  • Leveraging technology
  • Adaptive design and problem solving
  • Communicating meaningfully
  • Cultivating well-being

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.

Final Year courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

Fall Term
CE 320.3 | Project Engineering
GE 449.3 | Engineering in Society
GEOE 412.3 | Reservoir Engineering for Subsurface Energy Production and Storage
GEOE 414.3 | Rock Mechanics Design

Winter Term
GEOE 466.3 | Geomechanics of Energy Production and Storage

Fall and Winter Terms
GEOE 495.6 | Capstone Design Project

You choose
  • One course (3 c.u.) from the Group A or C Elective
  • Three courses (9 c.u.) from the Group C Elective

    Note:    If you have not already completed 3 credit units of Group B Elective, you may complete these credit units in Year 4 (either in Fall or Winter terms).

Apply to graduate

Academic tips

Consider applying to a graduate program
Find a program

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

USask Student Competencies

USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:

  • Engaging in our intercultural society
  • Nurturing successful relationships
  • Leveraging technology
  • Adaptive design and problem solving
  • Communicating meaningfully
  • Cultivating well-being

Possible destinations

People with a geological engineering degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Note that some of the career paths listed here require further education and training.

Designations

Since the Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.E.) program in Geological Engineering is accredited by Engineers Canada, graduates can apply immediately to any provincial or territorial licensing body in Canada to become an Engineer in Training once they have completed their degree. After completing four years of relevant engineering work experience and passing the National Professional Practice Exam, Engineers in Training are then eligible to be licensed as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng. designation). Our graduates are also recognized internationally through the Washington Accord of the International Engineering Alliance.

USask alumni career paths

  • Design Engineer
  • Geological Engineer
  • Geotechnical Discipline Specialist
  • Geotechnical Engineer
  • Landfill Geoscience Project Manager
  • Mine and Quarry Inspector
  • Mine Ventilation
  • Mineral Resource Estimator Director
  • Project Hydrogeologist
  • Quarry Mine Engineer
  • Rock Mechanics Engineer
  • Seismic Geologist
  • Senior Environmental Team Lead
  • Soil Laboratory Supervisor
  • Tailings Engineer
  • Technical Director
  • Tunnel Engineer
  • Underground Mining Consultant

My degree is quite versatile, with opportunities in both geotechnical and mining fields, and even allows for students to pursue entry-level surveying jobs early on. Personally, I’m aiming for a career in mining, so I’m leveraging my geological knowledge, communication, and problem-solving skills, along with networking, career fairs, and student involvement in clubs/student groups, to find future employment.

—Aurora, second-year student in geological engineering

Where do USask alumni work?

  • BGC Engineering
  • BHP
  • Cameco
  • Canadian Natural Resources Limited
  • Clifton Engineering Group
  • Government of Saskatchewan
  • Manitoba Government
  • Matrix Solutions
  • NewFields Canada
  • Nutrien
  • SNC Lavelin
  • The Mosaic Company
  • WSP

Explore Canadian salaries for various occupations using the Job Bank Career Planning Tool

"I have always had an interest in mining. My favourite science class in school was earth/environmental science, and I wanted a career that could explore mining and earth science. The experiences that have been the most valuable are the hands-on lab courses. I have learned many new things about how to give a presentation. This program has also allowed me to meet many new people and grow my communication skills."

—Samantha, first-year student in geological engineering

"Geological engineers are a small cohort but provide some of the most important services in a mine. My experience with the geological labs has ensured that I have a strong academic background to grow my technical skills in my future career. Developing problem solving skills through my major helped me to be invited back to by a major employer for a summer term after my internship."

—Maggie, fourth-year student in geological engineering