The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Calendar
2011-2012 Academic Year

Department Head  D.J. Hutchinson
Chair of Undergraduate Studies  V. Remenda
Undergraduate Program Assistant  L. Zarichny
Office  Miller Hall, Bruce Wing
Telephone  (613) 533-2597
E-mail  remenda@geol.queensu.ca
Departmental Web Site  http://geol.queensu.ca/

Geological Engineering is the practical application of the principles, concepts and techniques of the geological sciences combined with engineering analysis and design, to provide reliable and sustainable engineered solutions to human needs.

     Geological Engineering at Queen's University prepares students for design challenges related to energy, water and mineral resource exploitation and management, environmental and geotechnical design and risk mitigation, and the non-destructive investigation of the subsurface environment for engineering purposes.  The program provides an enhanced understanding, essential for reliable and sustainable design solutions, of the inherent variability in the engineering properties of earth materials as well as their changes with time and environment and the impact of their genesis on these properties.

     The Geological Engineering program offers a common second year curriculum, to provide students with a foundation in geological sciences and broad exposure to a variety of geo-engineering problems and design approaches. The extensive and well-rounded core program offered in third and fourth year is augmented by a number of alternate core courses and technical elective choices. This allows each student to specialize by taking several courses in an area of interest, including mineral and energy exploration, geotechnical engineering, geo-environmental engineering, or geophysics. Alternatively, a student can choose to sample a variety of upper year courses.

Geological Engineering Curriculum

It is recommended that students consult an academic advisor in each year of their program, to ensure that they are taking the required number of Alternate Core, Technical and HSS courses to fulfill the program requirements as well as those of the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board.  In the upper years of the program, certain courses are given in alternate years. Students need to plan their program well ahead to ensure that they take those courses in the appropriate years along with the necessary prerequisites.

Revisions to the Geological Engineering program are ongoing.

There are separate sections for the Classes of 2012, 2013,2014.

The Technical Elective List is given at the end of this section. Complementary Studies are discussed at the end of this calendar entry for Geological Engineering.  Students may elect to take HSS or Technical Elective courses in any of the elective slots available in the 3rd and 4th years of the program.

Field work is a necessary part of Geological Engineering training, and field trips and field projects are offered in each year of study because the Department wishes to provide the best education possible.  Employers and alumni from the Department are universally enthusiastic about the value of this component of the Geological Engineering program.  In accordance with University policies, students will receive specialized instruction in field safety.

     A field skills course is undertaken during the fall term of second year. A two-week Geological Engineering field school is held in the spring immediately following final exams.  Students are expected to take this course at the end of their second year. This course requires teams of students to design and carry out site investigations related to specific geological engineering problems. A second core field course in fourth year deals with engineering and design issues related to geo-environmental, geotechnical and resource management issues within the mineral industry.

     Part of the cost of transportation to and from field locations for field trips and field schools in core courses will be borne by each student through the payment of a one-time Field Transportation Levy which is normally collected on admission to second year.  In 2011-2012, this Levy is $300, but the amount is subject to change.  The Department subsidizes field transportation from a variety of funding sources.

     The cost of accommodation and food (unless otherwise stated below), while on field trips or at field schools, will be borne by the student.  Subsidies will be provided by the Department when funding permits.  A list of estimated accommodation and food costs for field trips within the core components of the curriculum is given below.  These costs are subject to change.

Students may incur additional field trip costs for courses they elect to take as a part of their degree. Students should consult with course instructors regarding these costs before registering in courses with a field trip component.