Most times, individuals plan to take up new career opportunities or brush up an already acquired skill. If you are among such individuals, you can as well enroll in an online geotechnical engineering course.
In this article, we have compiled a list of these courses. Some are free, while others are paid for. However, details of each of the courses has been indicated.
It is quite a surprise that some students do not know anything concerning geotechnical engineering. A lot of students have gone ahead to ask several questions. Thus, in this article, we have answered pressing questions in the hearts of some students about this branch of civil engineering.
What is Geotechnical Engineering?
As a branch of civil engineering, geotechnical engineering is concerned with the engineering behavior of earth materials. This field of study merges the principles and concepts of soil mechanics in other to provide solution to problems in engineering.
What Do Geotechnical Engineers Do?
The civil engineer works hand-in-hand with a geotechnical engineer. For any civil engineering work to commence, there must be a geotechnical engineer in the team. Hence, it is vital to know and precisely understand the role of a geotechnical engineer in civil engineering projects.
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The primary role of a Geotechnical engineer is to do a proper research and study on different soils in other to determine which soil is suitable to lay foundation for any form of construction. His job description will include assessing the construction sites, supervising construction work, writing and presenting reports.
How Do I Become a Geotechnical Engineer?
The first step to becoming a geotechnical engineer is acquiring a Bachelor’s degree in one of these fields: environmental engineering, geological engineering, civil engineering or geotechnical engineering. Afterwards, you can enrol for a Masters degree in geotechnical engineering which lasts for about 24 months. By doing so, you are taking yourself a step ahead of your peers who have earned only a Bachelor’s degree.
Can I Enrol for Geotechnical Engineering Courses Online?
Yes, you can.
There are top universities all around the world which offer a wide range of geotechnical engineering courses online. These courses have been designed to teach you the basic knowledge and skills of a geotechnical engineer. Also, individuals who have already obtained a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering can enrol in any of these courses so as to upgrade their knowledge, as well as the skills of geotechnical engineering.
Is Geotechnical Engineering a Difficult Course?
According to a survey carried out on various websites, we found out that about 75% of graduates in geotechnical engineering courses claim that it is not complex at all. The remaining percentages of graduates claim these courses are difficult. One thing that is certain is this: having the passion to study a geotechnical engineering course takes away the difficulty from your mind.
Now, let us dive right into our subject matter: Top Online Geotechnical Engineering Courses.
Top Online Courses in Geotechnical Engineering
Some of these courses listed below are free, while some require you paying a fee before you are granted access. Either way, these courses are among the best online courses available in geotechnical engineering.
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Basics of Geotechnical Engineering Design
This course is hosted on the Udemy online learning platform. Structural design is one of the jobs geotechnical engineers engage in. This online geotechnical engineering course is designed to provide practical knowledge for the students. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to design sheet piles, pile foundations, and much more. Note also that this course is not a free one. You will be expected to pay $40 before you are granted access to the course. In addition, this course comes with a certificate which you can add to your Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume.
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Geology and Engineering Geology
To be a renowned geotechnical engineer, you must have basic knowledge and skill of geology and engineering geology. This online course provides you with this basic knowledge and skill. Also, in this course, you will explore the various ways to protect the earth resources both now and in the future. Furthermore, you will learn the techniques involved in geotechnical field investigation. This particular course is offered by Tsinghua University and is hosted on the edX learning platform. Although the course is free, however, you will need to pay a certain amount ($139) to receive a certificate of completion.
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Geotechnical Engineering II: Foundation Engineering
This online course, offered by Indian Institute of Technology, is directed towards undergraduate level students. This online geotechnical engineering course is designed primarily for civil engineering students. However, individuals who have a background in engineering can also enrol for this course. This course can be completed within 12 weeks and is offered for free. Furthermore, to obtain the certificate attached to this course, you will need to pay a fee.
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Geotechnical Numerical Analysis
If you wish to improve in numerical analysis to help your job as a geotechnical engineer, then you need to enrol in this course. You cannot overemphasize the importance of numerical analysis in site construction. Some of the topics covered in this course include how to setup construction stages, select right models to stimulate ground behaviour, etc. Note also that this geotechnical engineering online course is 100% free.
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Specialist, Bachelors, Masters, Doctors – Geotechnical Engineering
This online geotechnical engineering course is a creation of Bircham International University and is hosted on the university’s distance learning platform. You can gain geotechnical engineering skills from one of the world’s best universities by enrolling in a Specialist, Bachelors, Masters or Doctoral degrees.
Read Also: 15 Best Undergraduate Engineering Schools in the World
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Soil Mechanics
This is yet another geotechnical engineering course offered by Udemy. In this course, you will learn particle size analysis, soil classification, index properties of soil, and much more. To be granted access to this course, you will pay a fee of $130. In addition, a certificate of completion is offered at the end of this program.
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Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering
To enroll in this course, you do not need to have a prior knowledge or experience in geotechnical engineering. In this course, the basics of soil mechanics, clay mineralogy, clay formation and soil mass structure have been explained. To be granted access to this course, you will pay a fee of $20. In addition, a certificate of completion is offered at the end of this program.
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Earth Pressure Theories (Expert Course)
To enroll in this course, you must have initially completed the beginner’s course. Unlike the beginner course, this expert course provides a more practical approach. Upon completion of this course, you will have gotten an in-depth knowledge of the theories of earth pressure. To be granted access to this course, you will pay a fee of $130. In addition, a certificate of completion is offered at the end of this program.
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Basic Geotechnical Engineering
By enrolling in this course, you have an opportunity to improve your civil engineering skills which is vital to advancing your career as a civil engineer or geotechnical engineer. This course is not free at all. To be granted access to this course, you will pay a fee of $168. In addition, a certificate of completion is offered at the end of this program.
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Earth Pressure Theories (Beginners Course)
This is yet another geotechnical engineering course offered by Udemy, and is designed specifically for individuals who do not have a prior knowledge or experience in geotechnical engineering. As a matter of fact, this course is a pre-requisite to enrolling for the expert course which provides a more practical approach. To be granted access to this course, you will pay a fee of $100.
Conclusion
Advancing your career as a geotechnical engineer, even civil engineer, requires you taking up new career opportunities, as well as brushing up your already existing skills. This will also involve taking up some online courses in geotechnical engineering some of which are 100% free, while others are paid for. By enrolling in these courses, you will gain the basic knowledge and skills of a geotechnical engineer.
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