Civil Engineering University of Northern British Columbia

Overview

The Civil Engineering programme at the University of Northern British Columbia provides a rigorous academic foundation for students aspiring to design and maintain essential modern infrastructure. This degree integrates technical expertise with business skills to ensure graduates can manage complex systems while considering environmental and economic sustainability.

Students engage with a curriculum that emphasises the themes of renewable energy, low-impact development, and the use of sustainable materials. The teaching methodology is diverse, incorporating group learning, team teaching, and the use of specialised design suites. This approach ensures that theoretical knowledge is consistently applied to practical, real-world engineering challenges.

Why Civil Engineering at the University of Northern British Columbia?

The University of Northern British Columbia offers a unique learning environment through its School of Engineering, featuring state-of-the-art facilities such as the Wood Innovation and Design Centre. Students benefit from hands-on experience in the Engineering Materials Lab, where they study soil mechanics, permeability, and the physical properties of construction materials.

The institution provides distinctive teaching features, including optional co-operative education work terms. These placements allow students to gain professional experience and apply their classroom learning in industry settings. The university also hosts events like the STEM Challenge and High School Design Competitions, fostering a vibrant community for aspiring engineers.

Research at the university is at the forefront of the field, with recent projects focusing on cold-weather road construction and seismic safety. The creation of a new rock mechanics lab further enhances the research capabilities available to students. These resources ensure that the learning experience is informed by the latest advancements in sustainable energy recovery and infrastructure safety.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: CAD 963 per credit
• National fee: CAD 204 per credit

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum covers a broad range of topics essential for modern engineering practice. Modules may include:

• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Soil Mechanics
• Seepage
• Stresses in Soils
• Consolidation
• Aggregates
• Cement
• Concrete
• Wood
• Steel
• Construction Materials
• Design
• Life-cycle Assessment
• Systems Engineering
• Sustainable Materials
• Renewable Energy
• Low-impact Development

Careers with Civil Engineering

Graduates are well-positioned to enter a high-demand job market, particularly within British Columbia and the wider Canadian economy. The industry requires new professionals to replace a retiring workforce and to lead the development of sustainable infrastructure. Graduates typically find roles involving the design and analysis of buildings, bridges, and transit systems.

Career opportunities extend to sectors such as water and waste treatment, highway construction, and natural resource extraction. The programme prepares students for roles in both the public and private sectors, focusing on the long-term maintenance and seismic safety of infrastructure. Many alumni go on to work in specialised areas like wood engineering or environmental consultancy.

Accreditation

The degree program is designed to meet the present accreditation guidelines established by the Canada Engineering Accreditation Board. Students graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering from UNBC will have all of the necessary academic qualifications to be licensed as Professional Engineers (P.Eng.).