As the planet reaches several tipping points, there’s never been a greater demand for engineers who can help us build a more sustainable future. Engineers in Canada are already proving their creative capabilities. They are behind several promising innovations, from intelligent tyres on delivery trucks to 100% sustainable aviation fuel in Rolls-Royce engines.
At the University of Alberta, expert faculty members are nurturing even more engineers who can achieve the same.
The U of A is one of Canada’s top universities and is among the top 100 best in the world. However, academic league tables aren’t the only place it excels. It is ranked #6 in Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in THE Impact Rankings, with an overall score of 97.4. The university is among the world’s best when it comes to contributing to global sustainable development, with an impressive score of 99.9 on the Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure SDG.
Such excellence persists at the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and School of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, home to a Master of Engineering (MEng) that is valuable for engineers at any career stage wishing to enhance their technical, managerial, and leadership skills. Although the programme has eight specialisations, all follow a curriculum that is cutting-edge, integrating advanced technologies and sustainable practices into coursework.
Take Mining Engineering, for example. This specialisation stands out for their cutting edge research on geostatistics, mine optimisation and simulation, advanced mining technologies, and sustainable resource extraction methods – all of which you will cover during your time here.
As a result, you will gain expertise in resource and reserve estimation, surface and underground mines design, and equipment selection. Facilities like the Surface Mining Laboratory are available for you to further your work to come up with the best results.
Another high-ranking specialisation within the MEng degree is Petroleum Engineering. This specialisation provides you with a solid foundation in this sub-field and prepares you for a fulfilling career in the energy sector. You will learn everything that it is to know about oil and gas extraction, carbon and hydrogen storage, underground fluid disposal, and geothermal energy.
The Department boasts 78 research laboratories, 26 specialised instructional laboratories and many other facilities, including the IF Morrison Structures Laboratory, T. Blench Hydraulics Laboratory, Oil Sands Tailings Research Facility, and the Laser Research Facility – all equipped with the latest state-of-the-art tools and technologies. These are the spaces where you enhance your practical expertise as you conduct research and projects with the guidance of expert faculty.
Factor in the university’s strong industry partnerships and you are set to land good roles the second you graduate. U of A’s partnerships with major players open up many opportunities for internships and collaborative projects, thus strengthening your chances for a job in the engineering field.
For more support, the Engineering Employment Centre is always available to help you chart your path into the industry. This is where you will find networking opportunities as the centre frequently holds career fairs and workshops. There is also a student coaching programme and communication support that are exclusively for engineering students, among many other free career development resources.
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