The ground is crucial in all civil engineering constructions, making geotechnical engineers indispensable and highly sought after by civil engineering companies. This is because structural failures are very costly and the biggest risks tend to be associated with the ground.
This master track provides dedicated training for geotechnical engineers to meet high industry standards and tackle challenges like climate change, aging structures, increased loading, zero carbon emissions, and green energy. You will gain training in latest analytical, numerical, and probabilistic methods to reduce uncertainty and over-conservatism in geotechnical design, while fostering close working relationships with industry partners.
What you will learn
➨ Ground investigation, engineering geology, site investigation, and laboratory testing of soils ➨ Deep excavations, tunnels, foundation engineering, and use of underground space in built-up areas ➨ Offshore geotechnics, wind energy, and design and assessment of geotechnical structures ➨ Soil dynamics, slope stability, soil mechanical behaviour, and analysis of soil-structure interaction ➨ Dykes, embankments, environmental geotechnics, and geothermal energy
This track has provided me with the tools for understanding the conceptual engineering behaviours of soils and its significance in soil-structure interaction. The inherent unpredictability and variability of the subsurface, make this field so special as it plays a critical role in the design-process of structures.
In the Geotechnical Engineering Track Base Module (CIEM 2000), you'll learn about soil and rock behaviour, constitutive modelling, and geotechnical structures through lectures, lab work, and site visits. Topics include soil response analysis, environmental impact, and stakeholder communication.
A-Module
Upon starting Q3, you follow the A-Module in Geotechnical Modelling (CIEM 2110). This module covers engineering geology and numerical modelling, essential for geotechnical analysis. You'll learn to integrate geological data into ground models, use numerical simulations, and interpret results. Through lectures, tutorials and field excursions, you’ll explore topics such soil and rock properties, geo-hazards, feasibility studies, and ethical considerations in geotechnical engineering.
B-Module
In Q4, you choose your B-module, allowing you to further specialise with the field. Each module includes a workshop on ethical responsibility of engineers, field visits, and lab experiments.
Learn to design, monitor, and assess geotechnical structures. You’ll investigate topics such as soil variability, risk evaluation, soil-structure interaction, and urban impacts through lectures, lab practicals, and site visits. You’ll also explore ethical aspects of geo-risk management and data science.
In this module, you'll explore advanced soil mechanics, focusing on deltaic soils, experimental methods, and soil dynamics. You'll learn to analyse, model, and monitor soil behaviour under various conditions, using both physical and numerical techniques. Ethical considerations and data science applications are integrated throughout.
Tackle geotechnical challenges in deltaic areas, focusing on soil mechanics, structural design, and site investigation. In this module you’ll learn to design, monitor, and assess geotechnical structures using advanced modelling techniques, while considering ethical aspects and data science applications.
You will have a multitude of opportunities for your master’s thesis. Below are just a few highlighted projects of previous students from this track. Prep for the master thesis starts in Q6 after completing the electives and cross-over section of the general programme.
Student Experiences
Our students are actively shaping their futures through research and dynamic projects. Check out their firsthand accounts, compelling stories, and inspiring films showcasing their experiences as a student.
What do graduates of Civil Engineering end up doing in the world? Watch the video’s and read their stories to find out.
Bertie Rietema
Our job is becoming ever more important. Dikes, coastal protection, as well as the realization of clean energy sources, all need our ingenuity and efforts to protect society and the planet. Challenge yourself to implement sustainability into your daily life as a civil engineer!
Bertie Rietema,
Geotechnical Engineer, Temporary Works Design (TWD)
