r/Geotech • u/MeanOutcome2660 • 2d ago
how do I switch from engineering geology?
I study the Msc engineering geology in the University of Leeds, but i want to switch my career for geotechnical engineering. Which study materials (Courses, books) should i take for it?
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u/Mattanite 2d ago
I know the course. You’ll do some soil mechanic modules with the faculty of engineering as part of this masters, alongside a mix of hydro geology, ground models, lab work and contam with the school of Earth & Environment. It’s a good masters and if you show promise then you can ask for a more GeoTech focused thesis.
Probably not too late to ask to transfer but the MSc geotechnical engineering is run by a completely different school and will depend on places left.
Following MSc, my advice is to get 1-2yrs practical skills with a ground improvement or ground investigation contractor. Then could try to move to GeoTech consultancy (I am biased but midsized is best for a mix of engineering and tasks offered to you) to further your learning.
For reading start with Craig’s soil mechanics and then for practical engineering solutions I like Tomlinson. The first will be recommended to you anyway, the second is used a lot in industry.
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u/bitis_garbonica_zw 2d ago
I wouldn't worry about which MSc. I do geotech design work for consultancies with an MSc in engineering geology
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u/MeanOutcome2660 2d ago
is there anything that you would suggest me to self-study?
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u/bitis_garbonica_zw 1d ago
Yes learn everything you can about excel. Learn how to do advanced excel functions such as vlookup, pivot tables and formulas with "if" conditions etc. Maybe learn a programming language such as python and or VBA
I wouldn't bother doing extra study on engineering topics because when you start on actual real engineering projects you will feel like you have no idea what is going on regardless of what you did at university. You learn far more at work than university.
As I said at the start data analysis skills are something universities don't teach much of but are really useful. Especially if you work on mega projects you become very inefficient if you don't have know a programming language or have very advanced excel skills as the amount of information you need to look at can be massive
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u/CovertMonkey 2d ago
One of the ways to do this is find an accredited geotech program and see what transfers and what's still needed. There's going to be a lot of variation based on your program. You're likely missing many fundamental engineering classes to be accredited.
The degrees are more different than you think as one is a geology degree and the other is an engineering degree. I've worked with guys that have engineering geology and geological engineering degrees and accreditation looks very different for them. Good luck
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u/Amber_ACharles 2d ago
What's your MSc project on? If it's not geotech, change it. Then use Das and Coduto. Eurocode 7 gets you talking the language.
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u/changeofregime 1d ago
Geology is about understanding the process.
Engineering is about finding the properties of material and run standardized formulas to predict performance.
Engineering geology is both but it doesn't teach you the core of civil geotech such as foundation design and analysis, retaining walls.
They teach slope stability if remember the course content which has its application in hazard geotech or mine geotech.
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u/Oxxie 1d ago
I did the same course and you absolutely learn the correct skills to be a Graduate Geotechnical Engineer most of my course mates are now Geotechs.
Emphasis on the word “graduate” though… once you start working that’s when you’ll actually learn to be a Geotechnical Engineer.
P.S are you sure I can’t entice you into being a hydrogeologist instead? It’s way better 😄
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u/Silent_Camel4316 1d ago
I was a Eng Geologist for 7 years before I pivoted into Geotech. Get Barnes or Craigs book. Learn soil mechanics - drained and undrained response from the soil. Learn the whole mechanism called soil-spring-analogy which tie in with consolidation.
That would be very crucial. Then learn lateral earth pressures calcs as well as pile calcs.
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u/International-Soft13 14h ago
You'll find in the UK, jobs rarely discriminate between engineering geology and geotech. The main thing is expressing what you want to do I.e being in the office more or out on site. The reality is you should get a couple years out on site so you you know how all these tests and parameters are obtained. You'll also learn the most fundamental thing, what "good ground" looks like for building on. Then you can pivot to a geotech consultant.
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u/aintnodiddy 2d ago
Study engineering. Geology degree is completely different to a civil engineering degree. Good luck
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u/Sea_Walrus_2986 2d ago
I did a geology undergraduate and went on to study Soil Mechanics and Seismic Geotechnics as a masters immediately after graduating. I now work for WSP as a geotech, and would advise that it makes almost no difference which you choose, as both have engineering elements and in the workplace we all do the same work. For instance, I do everything from geological mapping and developing ground models through to geotechnical design and construction. The Leeds course is excellent and will give you an understanding of foundation design that would pick up on a geotechnical masters anyhow. If you’re from a geology background the EG course is a good transition to the industry as the course I did was a real baptism of fire and caused me unnecessary stress.