UW Gazette, April 16, 1997
     
     Whether you're considering a career with Bre-X or with
Greenpeace, the geological engineering program could be the
place to start.
     The interdisciplinary program which produced its first
UW graduates in 1985 is continuing to evolve to meet the
changing needs of both society and industry, according to
Dr. Maurice Dusseault, chairman of the board of geological
engineering.
     Starting this year, the program will offer two theme
areas which will allow students to explore a specialization
in either hydrogeology or geomechanics - as Dusseault
succinctly puts it, "water or rocks".
     The themes have developed partly in response to
industry demands, and partly as a reflection of UW faculty
expertise in these two areas, he explained. Recently
approved program changes require geological engineering
students to select one of the two technical themes in their
third year.
     The geomechanics theme provides a grounding for
students interested in professional careers dealing with
"the mechanical behaviour of soils and rocks, and
construction on, in, or with these materials". Examples of
such careers include "rock mechanics in mining, civil and
petroleum applications; geotechnical aspects of tailings
dams, dikes, hydro dams, and impoundments; landfill and
waste repository design; foundation exploration and design
for bridges, buildings and large dams; geotechnical and
shallow geophysical site investigation; aggregate
exploration, benefication and use; slope stability in mines
and along transportation routes; and design and construction
of tunnels, shafts, trenches, and other underground struc
tures."
     For students who would prefer working with "water
supply and quality, fluid flow through soil and rocks, and
environmental protection and monitoring related to these
areas", the hydrogeology theme is offered. Career paths in
clude "groundwater exploration, supply and recharge; surface
and subsurface hydrology of lakes and river systems; flow of
multiphase fluids (oil, water, gas) in shallow aquifers or
deep sedimentary basins (petroleum development); landfill
integrity and interaction with rainfall and groundwater;
well testing in hydrogeology and petroleum production; and
geochemistry of groundwater, treated effluents, tailings
pond seepage waters, waste site leachates, and deep basin
fluids."
     The geological engineering program will also require
fewer courses, "bringing the number of courses (43) more in
line with the other engineering programs," said Dusseault.
"The program has always had the heaviest course load of any
engineering program on campus."
     It draws on two departments, civil engineering and
earth sciences. "We have tried," he says, "to create a rich
program by providing the best courses from both
departments." They administer the program jointly through
faculty representation on the geological engineering board.
     Although there is an increasing demand for geological
engineering graduates, who "consistently provide positive
feedback" on the program, Dusseault would like to see more
high school students choose the program at UW. Applications
for admission were up this year, he said, but attracting
students remains the program's "biggest problem".
     Geological engineers are among the top in engineering
salary surveys, he added, probably because they tend to work
in the resource industries. The profession is especially
appealing to those who enjoy travel and the outdoors.
     The annual number of geological engineering graduates
has ranged from six to 21, and Dusseault believes in the
benefits of a small program.
     "There is more chance to see students as individuals,
to nurture them along a bit."