Mechanical Engineering
Qualifications
Overview
Mechanical engineers design and develop everything that is moving or has moving parts – from airplanes to wind turbines to dishwashers, as well as everything from macroscopic (large) down to nanoscopic (very small). They are systematic thinkers with a sense of social responsibility that leads them to constantly seek better ways of doing things.
Many mechanical engineers specialise in areas such as materials, dynamics and controls, product design, manufacturing, energy and thermodynamics, and mechanics. Others cross over into other disciplines, working on everything from artificial organs in bioengineering to enhancing the field of nanotechnology.
The mechanical engineer may design a component, a machine, a system, or a process, and analyse their design using the principles of work, power, and energy to ensure the product functions safely, efficiently, reliably, and can be manufactured economically. Central to a mechanical engineer's role is the design and the use of information technology.
Minor in Biomedical Engineering
For students who want to have a biotechnology focus and work in the medical industry, the minor in Biomedical Engineering offers a programme specialising in designing, testing, and implementing medical products for use in hospitals and clinics, and includes industry project work in this area.
- Our students take part in a variety of research and development (R&D) projects with industry sponsors, ranging from industrial design manufacturing, biomedical applications, UAVs, and more.
- UC hosts Te Puna Pūhanga Koiora | Centre for Bioengineering, which collaborates with industry to conduct innovative research in biomedical and bioengineering areas which are adopted internationally.
- The Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mechanical Engineering is fully accredited by Engineering New Zealand.
You may also choose to complete a minor alongside Mechanical Engineering in either Aerospace Engineering or Biomedical Engineering.
First year
The first year of the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours is made up of Six compulsory courses taken by all Engineering students, plus courses specific to Mechanical Engineering:
You also need to complete one other 100-level optional course. Check with a Student Advisor for suggested options.
More information:
- To see what this degree will look like, view the degree diagram on the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours page.
- For guidance on how to structure your first year, visit the Engineering First Year webpage.
2nd–4th years
Once you have completed the first year and successfully applied for entry into Mechanical Engineering, you will study that discipline within the next three years.
Most courses in Mechanical Engineering consist of lectures supplemented by tutorials and laboratory classes.
In the fourth year you will complete a unique industry project. These are conducted within the department under the joint supervision of staff members and an industry sponsor. Most projects are sourced from Aotearoa New Zealand industry, or from well-known international firms. This experience gives you an employability advantage.
Second year
- Complete the following list of courses
Third year
- Complete the following list of courses
Fourth year
- Complete the following list of courses
Plus four courses chosen from the optional list, or any approved 400-level Engineering courses.
Mechanical Engineering graduates are well equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world by applying their creativity, scientific principles, and engineering skills to find solutions to technical problems. Mechanical engineers may work in areas such as:
- product design – design and analysis of tools, toys, sporting equipment, domestic appliances, computer-aided design, finite element analysis, environmental lifecycle of products
- power generation – wind and water turbines, internal combustion engines, fuels, alternative energy sources
- transport vehicles – cars, ships, aircraft, trains, unmanned vehicles
- medical technology – medical devices for operating theatres, implants, insulin control
- building services – heating, ventilation, air conditioning, energy use analysis, water treatment plant
- manufacturing – design of manufacturing equipment, robots, design of assembly plants, industrial engineering, Industry 4.0, intelligent manufacturing, production management, minimisation of waste, vibration, and noise
- controls – automatic control of industrial plant, instrumentation, hydraulics, pneumatics
- materials – metallurgy, composites, polymers, structural failure, recycling.
The degree programme at UC has a strong focus on engineering design and professional relevance. The programme is internationally accredited, and our graduates have gone on to excel in leading technical innovation in many sub-fields.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Contact us
Te Tari Pūhanga Pūrere | Department of Mechanical Engineering
Phone +64 3 369 2229
Email engdegreeadvice@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Level 5, Civil-Mechanical Engineering building – see campus maps
Postal address
Te Kaupeka Pūhanga | Faculty of Engineering
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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