Engineering: A Spotlight on 6 Programs in Canada and the US

A photo of a female engineering student holding a lightbulb overlaid on a blue graphic with the Canadian and US flags in the bottom left corner.

Engineers help move our world forward. They use science and math to produce inventions and innovations that develop our society and enhance how we live and work. If you are interested in contributing to the advancement of society, then studying an engineering program could be the perfect choice for you. Below, we explore six outstanding engineering programs in Canada and the United States. All programs that we outline have an optional co-op or internship to help students gain real-world experience and build their resumes. 

Be sure to check back next week as we look at more engineering programs in the United Kingdom and Australia.

Illustration of Calgary Tower and Canada flag

Canada

An aerial shot of the University of New Brunswick's campus.

Geological Engineering (Optional Co-op) | University of New Brunswick 

4-Year Bachelor’s Degree 

Do you have a passion for exploring and protecting the Earth’s water, mineral, and energy resources? The University of New Brunswick’s four-year Geological Engineering bachelor’s degree equips students with the communication, design, and judgement skills to shine in the environmental sector of engineering. 

The University of New Brunswick offers the only geological engineering program in Atlantic Canada and utilizes this region’s outstanding geological diversity to offer students hands-on training. Students can focus on one of three specialized learning streams: 

  • Geotechnical
  • Geoenvironmental
  • Mineral resources  

Graduates of the Geological Engineering program are highly sought after and have gone on to find employment in both the private and public sectors.  

An aerial shot of Laurentian University's campus.

Mining Engineering (Optional Co-op) | Laurentian University 

4-Year Bachelor’s Degree 

If you’re looking to study and work with professionals in one of the most productive and fertile geology in the world, then Laurentian University’s four-year Mining Engineering bachelor’s degree is just for you. At Laurentian’s Bharti School of Engineering, students will learn to consider the environmental, social, and economic impacts that influence decisions in mining and the community.  

Students will have the opportunity to put what they’ve learned into practice by competing on a regional, provincial, and national level in the Canadian Engineering Competition. Students will participate in eight different competitions that will challenge them in the areas of innovation, design, and communications. 

Graduates will be well equipped to start exciting careers as private consultants, inspectors, or mining equipment manufacturers and suppliers. Regardless of their job title, graduates will contribute in a significant way to the economic and general well-being of society. 

A photo of the University of Northern British Columbia's campus.

Environmental Engineering (Optional Co-op) | University of Northern British Columbia

4-Year Bachelor’s Degree

If you enjoy learning about sustainable development and environmental impacts, then the University of Northern British Columbia’s four-year Environmental Engineering bachelor’s degree should be on your radar. Students enrolled in this program will learn all about: 

  • Environmental engineering in resource development 
  • Adaptation to and mitigating the impact of climate change 
  • Water resource management 
  • Environmental impacts 
  • Infrastructure development and renewal 
  • The role of engineering in society 
  • The respectful inclusion and exploration of Indigenous issues and concerns

Graduates of the Environmental Engineering program have gone on to find employment with AECOM, SNC-Lavalin, HDR, and Jacobs, among others. 

Illustration of Statue of Liberty and US flag

United States

An aerial shot of Tech Tennessee University's campus.

General Engineering (Optional Co-op) | Tech Tennessee University    

4-Year Bachelor’s Degree

Do you have a passion for engineering but are unsure of which discipline you would like to pursue a career in? Tech Tennessee University’s four-year General Engineering bachelor’s degree is just for you. This program equips students with the interdisciplinary knowledge of several engineering disciplines.   

To help ensure students’ future success in an engineering career, the required courses in this program address all of the topics in the national Fundamental of Engineering Examination (FE). The FE is normally a student’s first step in the process of becoming a professional licensed engineer. Students enrolled in this program will study: 

  • Electrical engineering 
  • Mechanical engineering 
  • Civil engineering 

Graduates will be able to take their interdisciplinary knowledge of various engineering disciplines and apply it as sales, industrial, and environmental engineers.

A photo of California State University, Chico campus.

Civil Engineering (Optional Internship) | California State University, Chico 

4-Year Bachelor’s Degree

If you are a critical thinker with a longing to make communities safer, you might want to consider the four-year Civil Engineering bachelor’s degree at California State University, Chico. Through extensive laboratory courses, students can gain valuable insights into the civil engineering world through practical experience and an optional internship if they choose.  

Students enrolled in this program will explore a range of areas, including: 

  • Engineering mechanics 
  • Environmental engineering  
  • Soil mechanics and foundations 
  • Structural analysis and design 
  • Transportation and traffic engineering 
  • Water resources and hydraulics 

Graduates will be well equipped to start exciting careers as construction managers, public health engineers, transportation engineers, and urban planning engineers—just to name a few. 

An aerial shot of the University of Iowa's campus.

Biomedical Engineering (Optional Internship) | University of Iowa 

4-Year Bachelor’s Degree

Do you have a passion for improving human health? The University of Iowa’s four-year Biomedical Engineering bachelor’s degree links biology, medicine, and engineering to do just that. This program is an excellent option for those engineering students who plan to pursue medical school. 

 Students’ coursework is organized into four stems

  • Engineering topics 
  • General education (humanities and social sciences) 
  • Mathematics and basic sciences 
  • An elective focus area suited to the student’s interests 

Graduates of the Biomedical Engineering program have gone on to find employment with hospitals, universities, medical research facilities, government regulatory agencies, and medical manufacturing companies. 

Explore more exciting engineering programs in Canada and the United States on ApplyBoard!

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