Undergraduate
At UC you can study a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in:
- Civil Engineering
- Minor in water and environmental systems
- Minor in structural engineering
- Natural Resources Engineering
Civil and Natural Resources Engineers are entrusted by society to achieve a sustainable world and raise the global quality of life. They tackle the challenges of the 21st century by solving climate change issues and inequality, building resilient infrastructure, and ensuring our built environment fosters healthy, vibrant, and sustainable communities.
As a civil or natural resources engineer, you are responsible for the built environment—the spaces where people live and the infrastructure that we depend on—and how it interacts with the natural environment. As an engineering graduate from our department, you will lead the change you want to see in the world.
Why study Civil or Natural Resources Engineering at UC?
- Two degree options, Civil Engineering and Natural Resources Engineering. (We are the only university in the world to offer Natural Resources Engineering)
- Truly international lecturers sharing world trends
- Graduates are in high demand
- Salaries are amongst the best ($11.7t is the expected size of the global civil engineering market)* global market insights 2016
- Ranked 9th in the world for Civil Engineering (by the Academic Ranking of World Universities), 54th by the QS ranking, and 24th world-wide based on QS reputation amongst employers.
- Brand new purpose-built high-tech labs such as the NZ first Fire lab, the huge Structural lab and the VR lab (over 142million investment)
- Strong work experience field trips such as the bridge building competition, field trips with industry
- New Zealand’s most established civil engineering university
- Close community of students and professors
- Numerous opportunities for mentorship and professional development with our industry connections
- New Zealand’s most modern city (with the largest population group being 20-30 year olds)
You will be taught by world-class experts and educators in:
- Structural engineering
- Fluid mechanics and hydrology
- Civil systems engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Engineering management
- Ecological engineering
- Geotechnical engineering
- Fire engineering
- Transportation
We are society's engineers.
Civil and Natural Resources Engineers are responsible for creating and maintaining a sustainable world. We define and solve the problems of our communities, and provide the foundations for a healthy, vibrant, and resilient society.
As one of our students, you will become:
- a master planner, designer, constructor, and operator of society’s economic and social engine - the built environment
- kaitiaki: a steward of our natural environment and its resources
- a manager of risk and uncertainty
- a leader in discussions and decisions shaping environmental and infrastructure policy
- a collaborator, engaging with interdisciplinary and culturally diverse teams
- a creator and innovator of ideas and technology across the public, private and academic sectors
CNRE UG Department Regulations
Second Year
Communications skills portfolio
ENCN 201 and ENCN 301 are required, non-credit courses, to demonstrate you have the communication skills to succeed in our 400-level courses and in a career as a civil or natural resources engineer.
Campus-based field activities
All students will be required to attend campus-based field activities in either the first or last week of the Semester 1 Study Break. These activities will comprise: 1) an introduction to field surveying techniques; 2) site description and environmental sampling and monitoring techniques to complement ENCN281 Environmental Engineering.
Health and Safety Training
Students must complete ENCI 199 Health & Safety on the Work Site Training course. This is a one day interactive course which is compulsory for all BE (Hons) Second Year students. This course is more comprehensive than the basic consultants passport and all students must complete the training even if they already have a consultants passport from Site Safe. The cost of this course is also included in your second year fees. If you do not complete this in your second year, a further fee will be required.
Mark Stringer
Senior Lecturer
2nd Year Director of Studies
Giuseppe Loporcaro
Senior Lecturer
2nd Year Director of Studies
Third Year
The third year of study includes mathematics, fluid mechanics, design and management with a strong focus on structures and geomechanics.
ENCN 301 Communication Skills Portfolio 2 is required for all students. Students must enrol and pass ENCN 301 prior to taking ENCN 493 and ENCI 413 in Third Professional Year.
The courses listed below are compulsory. Please check the handbook or calendar for all details including any approval requirements or pre- and co-requisite courses. If you have questions or problems please contact the Third Year Directors of Studies, Markus Pahlow or Simone Larcher.
Simone Larcher
Lecturer
3rd Year Director of Studies
Fourth Year
The fourth year of the degree consists of 60 points of elective courses of your choice in the first semester, followed by a final semester where you will apply all your knowledge in a compulsory capstone design and research project. No overloading of courses is allowed.
Compulsory courses
ENCN 493 Project (Semester 2)
ENCI 413 Integrated Engineering Design (Semester 2)
Both compulsory courses are worth 30 points.
With approval from the department, students may request to substitute one listed course where:
- Student GPA > 5.0 over the second and third years: substitute with one 400 level course from a different degree that is closely related to your programme, or
- Student GPA > 6.0 over the second and third years: substitute with one 600 level course from the MCivilEng(Civil) programme. The entry into this course will be subject to departmental approval and also the approval of the Course Coordinator.
Students who take a postgraduate course as part of their BE(Hons) are not permitted to take the same, or a similar, paper as part of a subsequent postgraduate degree.
Semester One
- ENCI 436 Behaviour and Design of Structures 2
- ENCI 437 Structural Analysis and Systems 2
- ENCI 438 Introduction to Structural Earthquake Engineering
- ENCN 401 Engineering in Developing Communities
- ENCN 405 Ecologically Engineered Systems
- ENCN 412 Traffic Engineering
- ENCN 415 Pavement Engineering
- ENCN 423 Sustainable Energy Systems
- ENCN 441 Fluid Mechanics of Environmental Systems
- ENCN 442 Integrated Surface Water and Groundwater Engineering
- ENCN 446 Fluid Mechanics of Built Systems
- ENCN 452 Advanced Geotechnical Engineering
- ENCN 454 Introduction to Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
- ENGR 403 Fire Engineering
- ENGR 409 Design of Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Systems
First Professional Year courses
ENCN 201 Communication Skills Portfolio 1 is a programme requirement.
Students are required to attend the Second Year camp. Check your handbook or with the course administrator for details. The cost is included in your fees.
Mark Stringer
Senior Lecturer
2nd Year Director of Studies
Giuseppe Loporcaro
Senior Lecturer
2nd Year Director of Studies
Third Year
The second professional year of study still retains some commonality between the two degree programmes. Common areas include mathematics, fluid mechanics, design, environmental engineering and infrastructure management.
ENCN 301 Communication Skills Portfolio 2 is required for all students. Students must enrol and pass ENCN 301 prior to taking ENCN 493 and ENCN 470 in third year.
Simone Larcher
Lecturer
3rd Year Director of Studies
Fourth Year
The final year of the degree consist of 60 points of elective courses of your choice in the first semester, followed by a final semester where you will apply all your knowledge in a compulsory capstone design and research project. No overloading of courses is allowed.
Compulsory courses
ENCN 493 Project (Semester 2)
ENNR 413 Integrated NRE Engineering Design (Semester 2)
Both compulsory courses are worth 30 points.
With approval from the Department, students may request to substitute one listed course where:
- student GPA > 5.0 over the professional years: substitute with one 400 level course from a different degree that is closely related to your programme, or
- student GPA > 6.0 over the professional years: substitute with one 600 level course from the ME(Civil) programme. The entry into this course will be subject to departmental approval and also the approval of the Course Coordinator.
Students who take a postgraduate course as part of their BE(Hons) are not permitted to take the same, or a similar, paper as part of a subsequent postgraduate degree.
Semester One
- ENCN 401 Engineering in Developing Communities
- ENCN 405 Ecologically Engineered Systems
- ENCN 412 Traffic Engineering
- ENCN 415 Pavement Engineering
- ENCN 423 Sustainable Energy Systems
- ENCN 441 Fluid Mechanics of Environmental Systems
- ENCN 442 Integrated Surface Water and Groundwater Engineering
- ENCN 446 Fluid Mechanics of Built Systems
- ENCN 452 Advanced Geotechnical Engineering
- ENCN 454 Introduction to Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
- ENGR 403 Fire Engineering
- ENGR 409 Design of Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Systems
If you'd like to add a humanitarian focus to your degree and learn some practical humanitarian engineering skills then you can add a Diploma in Global Humanitarian Engineering to your Bachelor of Engineering and get an extra qualification without adding any extra time to your degree.
There is a strong focus on practical work experience and 800 hours of practical work is a degree requirement. See the College of Engineering website for more information about our practical work approach and links with industry. Contact our practical work coordinator for enquiries.
Robin Lee
Lecturer
Practical Work Director
For all enquiries please contact the undergraduate administrator.
