Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Natural Resources Engineering

Summary

Engineers design the future. They provide innovative solutions to meet the needs of our modern world. From buildings and bridges, to apps and smart devices, to pharmaceuticals and renewable energy, engineering feats are everywhere.

The Bachelor of Engineering with Honours is a four-year professional degree. The degree is accredited by Engineering New Zealand, allowing our graduates to work as professionally qualified engineers all over the world.

Natural resources engineering takes into consideration both the impact of humans on natural systems, and vice-versa. Specialists in this field work in interdisciplinary teams and partner with communities including mana whenua to come up with creative approaches to solve the complex and large-scale challenges facing our communities, like their development, food production, and the conservation and management of our natural resources.

Natural resources engineers are:

• planners, designers, constructors, and operators of the built environment (the spaces where people live and our communities’ infrastructure systems)
• kaitiaki (stewards of our natural environment)
• innovators and integrators of ideas, people, and technology
• managers of risk and uncertainty
• leaders in discussions and decisions shaping public policy pertaining to the built environment and our community.

UC is the only university in Aotearoa New Zealand that offers this programme.

How do I plan my degree?

The Bachelor of Engineering with Honours requires a minimum of 480 points:

• 75 points of compulsory courses (plus two 0-point compulsory courses)
• 45 points of first-year engineering courses
• 360 points of engineering discipline courses.

The first year of the degree comprises nine courses (120 points), made up of six compulsory courses and three first-year courses, which vary depending on which Engineering discipline you want to specialise in. Find guidance online to structuring your first year to keep your options open if you are undecided on which discipline you wish to pursue.

The first year is followed by three years of study in one of the Engineering disciplines. Some disciplines also offer the opportunity to include a minor subject. Possible to the second year of the degree is limited and based on your performance in the first year.

All students must also complete 800 hours (approximately 100 days) of practical work placement.

Career opportunities

Natural resources engineers are scarce in the professional workplace and there are plenty of exciting careers, including research and academic opportunities in Aotearoa New Zealand and all around the world. Recent graduates have found positions with professional engineering consultancies, local and regional councils, primary industry companies, central government departments, and Crown Research Institutes.