Water Resources Engineering
Why Study Water Resources Engineering at U of G?
A growing population and the need for clean water demands water resources engineers to develop solutions that are environmentally sustainable and economically viable. The skills and experiences you gain through knowledge-based and hands-on training in the management of land and water resources will help you develop the solutions we need for healthy ecosystems and environments.
Focus on Rural and Urban Watershed Management
Water Resources Engineering (WRE) focuses on the use and management of land and water resources including flood prevention, warning and control, drainage, water channel design, irrigation, and erosion prevention and control.
Focus on Sustaining Ecosystems
You’ll learn to design and develop creative solutions to protect groundwater, soil, wetlands, streams and lakes to ensure that the development of new water supplies don’t disrupt natural processes and preserve high - quality water to sustain human life.
Engage in an Interdisciplinary Degree
WRE combines elements of other disciplines such as civil engineering, environmental engineering, agriculture, planning and geography in a unique blend to address society's concerns and needs surrounding water.
To see all courses offered in the Water Resources Engineering program, visit our Academic Calendar.
Gain Valuable Experience Through Co-op
Our Water Resources Engineering co-op is a five-year program, with five work terms, designed to facilitate the transition of students from academic studies to a professional career improving students’ job search skills, work performance and networking abilities, and boosting resume experience. Learn more about the Water Resources Engineering co-op program.
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Careers in Water Resources Engineering
In this program, you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience and develop skills in problem-solving, project management, leadership, and communication. You'll also work on interdisciplinary projects that emphasize collaboration, teamwork, and design. These abilities will prepare you for success in a variety of exciting fields, including:
- Government
- Environment
- Research and Development
- Manufacturing
- Healthcare
- Technology
- Energy
- Transportation
- Construction
- Product Development
- Communications
- Cybersecurity
- Entertainment
- Consulting
- Education and Research
Careers you can pursue with a B.Eng. degree in Water Resources Engineering:
- Hydrological Engineer
- Watershed Ma
- Water Quality Eng
- Water Treatment Plant Engineer
- Stormwater Management Engineer
- Irrigation Eng
- River Eng
- Groundwater Engineer
- Hydraulic Engineer
Regular Stream
| YEAR | FALL | WINTER | SUMMER |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Off |
| 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | Off |
| 3 | Semester 5 | Semester 6 | Off |
| 4 | Semester 7 | Semester 8 | Graduate! |
Co-op Stream
| YEAR | FALL | WINTER | SUMMER |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Off |
| 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | Co-op |
| 3 | Semester 5 | Co-op | Co-op |
| 4 | Semester 6 | Semester 7 | Co-op |
| 5 | Co-op | Semester 8 | Graduate! |
Semester 1
- General Chemistry I
- Engineering and Design I
- Engineering Analysis
- Calculus I
- Physics with Applications
Semester 2
- General Chemistry II
- Introduction to Programming
- Engineering Mechanics I
- Calculus II
- Introductory Electricity and Magnetism
In addition to the four Interdisciplinary Design courses taken by all U of G Engineering students, Water Resources Engineering students can take these major-specific design courses:
- Watershed Systems Design
- Urban Water Systems Design
- Soil-Water Conservation Systems Design
- Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainable Design
In addition to the interdisciplinary courses, below are a few courses specific to Water Resources Engineering. For descriptions of these courses and an overview of all courses available, please consult the current Undergraduate Calendar.
- Soil-Water Conservation Systems Design
- Watershed Systems Design
- Geographic Information Systems in Environmental Engineering
Hear from a Water Resources Student
When applying for university, Water Resources Engineering stood out to me as a unique program which deals with many of the current water-related issues in Canada. The wide range of opportunities provided by the co-op program gave me the ability to apply many different topics that I learned in lectures to all different kinds of careers, from agricultural research to stormwater management to city planning. The tight-knit Water Resources community and small class sizes meant that I was friends with everyone in my cohort. The impactful research that goes on in Guelph encouraged me to do my masters here as well, where I'm working with water treatment plants for Indigenous communities.
Pursuing an Engineering degree at the University of Guelph has been imperative in achieving early success in my career. The co-op program allowed me to gain hands on work experience which proved to be critical in acquiring a job after graduation. As a Land Development EIT, I work on providing sustainable design solutions for developments that range from condos to large industrial and residential subdivisions across Southern Ontario by preparing technical reports and design documents to support the development from concept to construction. Through this work, I find myself employing the academic and practical skills I learnt at the school of engineering to succeed in my role.
Discover More Options
Students considering Water Resources Engineering may also be interested in Biological Engineering, Computer Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or other majors.
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