Studying geotechnical engineering at UQ
All structures must ultimately be supported by the ground. Geotechnical Engineers apply engineering and geological principles to the behaviour of the ground and the groundwater and use these principles in civil, mining, offshore and environmental engineering.
Geotechnical engineers design and supervise the construction of foundations and earthen structures related to Civil and Mining Engineering infrastructure. These include shallow and piled foundations for structures, excavations and foundations for buildings and dams, earth and rock fill dams, tailings dams, natural and constructed cut and fill slopes, mine waste rock dumps, tunnels, and open pit and underground mines.
To the end of 2022, students taking the Civil and Geotechnical Engineering and Mining and Geotechnical Engineering Dual Major Programs within the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) are taught by experts working in civil, mining and geotechnical engineering, and benefit from the Centre’s close links with its industry partners.
"What is Geotechnical Engineering?" by the Australian Geomechanics Society
Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Hons) - Geotechnical Engineering
From the start of 2022, a major will be offered in Geotechnical Engineering to Civil Engineering students. The Geotechnical Engineering major will equip graduates with the skills to solve complex, multidisciplinary problems concerning earthen materials, including roads and railways, landslides, building foundations, excavations, slopes, water and tailings dams, and tunnels. Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Hons) - Geotechnical Engineering program structure (PDF, 240.8 KB).
A major in Mining Engineering is also available (comprising six courses). Earth Sciences courses can also be added in other elective slots to complement either a Geotechnical Engineering or a Mining Engineering Major.
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) - Civil and Geotechnical
The Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Civil and Geotechnical) consists of the major in Civil Engineering, which is taken in common with all Civil Engineering plans, supplemented with additional specialist study and project work in Geotechnical Engineering. This specialisation is designed to equip graduates with the skills to approach complex, multidisciplinary problems concerning earth materials including roads, landslides, piled building foundations, excavations, spillways, tunnelling and mining.
2 (6%) Soil Mechanics Courses in Civil Engineering Single Major: 10 (31%) Geotechnical Engineering Courses in Civil and Geotechnical Engineering Dual Major (in Green)
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) - Mining and Geotechnical
The Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Mining and Geotechnical) consists of the major in Mining Engineering, which is taken in common with all Mining Engineering plans, supplemented with additional specialist study and project work in Geotechnical Engineering. The program is designed to equip graduates with the skills to approach complex, multidisciplinary problems concerning earth materials including roads, excavations, spillways, and tunnelling, associated with mining engineering.
5 (15%) Mining Geomechanics Courses in the Mining Engineering Single Major are increased to 12 (38%) Geotechnical Engineering Courses out of 32 in the Mining & Geotechnical Dual Major (in Green)