Saint Mary’s University is proud to announce the launch of an exciting new program, the Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Resource Engineering.
The first cohort of students will begin in September 2026 and will choose to specialize in one of two distinct streams: Mining Engineering or Renewable Energy Engineering.
Designed in collaboration with industry, the new degree builds on a 100+ year history of delivering foundational engineering education at Saint Mary’s. The BEng is modern, interdisciplinary and is squarely aligned with regional and national priorities.
From the materials used in buildings and technology to the energy that powers homes and cities, engineers play a critical role in designing systems that responsibly produce and manage the resources required to support society.
The Bachelor of Engineering in Resource Engineering equips students to address the full lifecycle of resource development, from land use planning to construction and operation to reclamation, with a balanced curriculum that addresses technical, environmental, economic and societal considerations.
The two program specializations feature common core programming, with education in areas such as environmental impact assessment and risk management, lifecycle cost analysis, project management, geomatics and engineering design.
Students who specialize in Mining Engineering will undertake additional study in surface and underground mining methods, structural geology and rock mechanics, and environmental contaminants. Students in the Renewable Energy Engineering stream study solar and wind systems, biomass utilization, grid integration and energy storage technologies.
Along with coursework, the program includes 16 months of integrated co-op work placements, allowing students to connect in-class learning with real-world experience and to begin building their industry networks prior to graduation.
“Hands-on work experience is such a critical part of engineering education,” says Dr. Sam Veres, Dean of Science at Saint Mary’s. “We’ve created a co-op program structure that’s ideal for both students and employers, where students will be able to spend 16 continuous months with a single employer, or two consecutive eight-month terms with different employers and really have the opportunity to establish themselves in the workplace, be valuable employees, and build relationships that jumpstart their careers.”
Students will study in SMU’s Engineering building, which opened in 2024
The importance of hands-on learning is apparent throughout the engineering curriculum at Saint Mary’s, with students undertaking a range of laboratory experiences and design projects beginning in first year. Students in the Resource Engineering program will get to complete five courses focused on engineering design, including an industry-based design course connected to co-op, and a two-semester-long capstone project.
“Our class sizes are strategically kept small, which gives our students opportunities for one-on-one interactions with professors for support or extra challenges, or to think about next steps in their academic and future careers,” explains Don MacNeil, the director of the Division of Engineering.
“Working in small teams facilitates the creative thinking process and encourages students to consider other perspectives, allowing them to generate innovative solutions to tackle real-life and challenging problems.”
The Division of Engineering, part of the Faculty of Science at Saint Mary’s, is based in the university’s new Engineering Building, located on campus at 960 Tower Road, Halifax.