Our History

University of Alberta Quad

 

Celebrating a Century of Excellence

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering celebrated a century of teaching alongside the University of Alberta in 2008. It was on September 23, 1908, the University of Alberta first opened its doors to 45 students. While the Department was officially formed in 1909, five engineering students studied under the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

1909-1934

  • 1909 - The Department of Civil and Municipal Engineering is founded.
  • 1911 - Degrees in engineering are offered as a Bachelor of Applied Science. 23 students are enrolled.
  • 1913 - The first class graduates in civil engineering. The class consisted of 5 students.
  • 1925 - First ritual of the Iron Ring ceremonies is conducted in Canada.

1934-1959

  • 1947 - Oil is discovered near Leduc.
  • 1950 - First class graduates from petroleum engineering.

1959-1984

  • 1959 - Name of the Department is shortened to Department of Civil Engineering. The T. Blench Laboratory is constructed.
  • 1963 - First PhD is awarded in Civil Engineering. The I.F. Morrison Structural Engineering Laboratory is constructed.
  • 1967 - Master of Engineering degree is introduced as a non-research degree.

1984-2009

  • 1990 - I.F. Morrison Structural Testing Laboratory is opened.
  • 1995 - BSc. in environmental engineering is offered.
  • 1996 - Faculty of Engineering is reorganized into four departments. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is established.
  • 2002 - Hole School of Construction Engineering is created after a donation from the Hole family.
  • 2004 - $65-million Allan P. Markin/Canadian Natural Resources Engineering Facility (NREF) opens.
  • 2006 - National Institute of Nanotechnology opens.
  • 2008 - University of Alberta celebrates 100 years.
  • 2009 - Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering celebrates 100 years.