Course Descriptions - Undergraduate Calendar 2023-2024

An introduction to the fundamental methods, principles and skills of environmental and geological engineering. Fundamentals of technical communication, the engineering design process and problem solving. Completion of a pre-design study and report for an environmental engineering project. Independent and team work. Fundamentals of engineering computation units, data collection, measurement, and error analysis. Field surveying (automatic level, engineer's transit, differential global positioning system (GPS), total station). Laboratory on engineering graphics auto-computer assisted diagnosis (AutoCAD) and computational software (Excel, Matlab). Aspects of the engineering profession (code of ethics, negligence, misconduct, role of the Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), etc.), diversity in the workplace, and professional development. Preparation for the University of Waterloo co-operative education program (Co-operative Education and Career Action (CECA), résumé writing, job search and interview skills). [Offered: F]

Linear systems of equations, matrices and determinants. Introduction to the eigenvalue problem. Applications. [Offered: F]

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. [Offered as: CIVE 121 (W), ENVE 121 (S), GEOE 121 (S)]

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. [Offered as: CIVE 153 (W), ENVE 153 (S), GEOE 153 (S)]

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. [Offered: F]

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. [Offered: W]

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. [Offered: W]

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. [Offered: W]

General seminar. [Offered: W]

General seminar. [Offered: F]

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. [Offered as: CIVE 353 (W), GEOE 353 (S)]

Foundation engineering. Earth pressure theories. Retaining walls. Anchors. Shallow and deep foundations. Braced trenches and excavations. Slope stability. [Offered: F]

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. [Offered: W]

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. [Offered: S]

General seminar. [Offered: S]

General seminar. [Offered: W]

Students undertake an independent geological engineering design project during the last two terms of their plan. The purpose of the project is to demonstrate students' abilities to practise in a geological engineering capacity in their chosen area of expertise, using knowledge gained from their academic and employment experiences. The first part of the project (GEOE 400) will include problem identification, generation and selection of solutions, and time management. Incorporation of technical, ecological, social, political, and economic issues in the solution for the project will be required. A basic requirement of the proposed solution is that it must be compatible with the principles of sustainability. Requirements include proposal, progress report, and a final report containing recommendations for part two of the project, GENE 401. [Offered: F]

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 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. [Offered: W]

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.

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.

General seminar. [Offered: F]

General seminar. [Offered: W]

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. [Offered: W]