Geotechnical Engineering

Geotechnical engineering is the study of the behavior of soils under the influence of loading forces and soil-water interactions.

It equips the students with expertise in geotechnical engineering which includes foundation engineering and design, ground improvement, ground and slope stability, geo-earthquake engineering, geo-environmental engineering, and rock mechanics. The goals of geotechnical engineers could range from the design of foundations and temporary excavation support, through route selection for railways and highways, to the increasingly important areas of landfill disposal of wastes and groundwater contamination.  As such, the geotechnical engineer is involved in field and laboratory investigations to determine the engineering properties of site soils and other geomaterials and their subsequent use in the analytical study of the problem at hand. Graduates are expected to be able to practice in any discipline of fundamental civil engineering but with a particular engineering acumen central to Geotechnical Engineering.

Employment opportunities include geotechnical and engineering consultants, public utilities, governmental agencies, environmental agencies, specialized contractors, and resource industry companies.