Mechatronics Engineering
Pūhanga Kōhikohiko
Qualifications
Overview
Mechatronics is the field behind the "Smart Products and Systems" that increasingly dominate many aspects of our lives. It sits at the intersection of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering, and combines sensors, software, and motors to create innovative and amazing new devices.
These mechatronic systems can be found manipulating the smallest bits of matter, in spacecraft, as well as throughout your home and town. From smart phones and TVs, to smart energy grids to smart cars and smart medical care and devices. They are everywhere, making life better, greener, healthier, more productive, and more interesting.
During the coming decades, we will see an explosion of these automated systems further aiding our lives. Robots are widely used to automate manufacturing processes for productivity benefits, quality consistency, and reduction/elimination of physically hard and/or hazardous labour. Mobile machines, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), and Autonomous Ground Vehicle (AGV), are deployed to operate in such environments.
The vast discipline of Mechatronics Engineering does not stop at the visible world. Micro and nano electro-mechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) are an ever increasing branch of mechatronics research and technology for applications such as atom-scale microscopy and spectroscopy, micro and nano fabrication, big data storage, sensor technology, medical drug delivery, and many more.
- Mechatronics studies at UC is a project-based programme, with hands-on skills development and robotics laboratories throughout the degree.
- Final-year project work includes real-world research with UC's industry partners, including commercial and industrial design.
- The Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mechatronics Engineering is fully accredited by Engineering New Zealand.
UC offers Mechatronics Engineering as a discipline within the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours.
First year
The first year of the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours is made up of:
Six compulsory courses taken by all Engineering students:
- ENGR 100 Engineering Academic Skills
- ENGR 101 Foundations of Engineering
- EMTH 118 Engineering Mathematics 1A
- EMTH 119 Engineering Mathematics 1B
- COSC 131 Introduction to Programming for Engineers
- PHYS 101 Engineering Physics A: Mechanics, Waves, Electromagnetism and Thermal Physics
Plus courses specific to Mechatronics Engineering:
In addition you must complete two other 100-level optional courses. Check with Te Rāngai Pūkaha | College of Engineering Student Advisor for suggested options.
More information:
- To see how this qualification is structured, see 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 Mechatronics Engineering, you will study that discipline within the next three years.
At UC, special emphasis is placed on project-based learning that integrates mechanical, electronic, and computer engineering skills in each year. In the final year, all students complete a design and research project, which typically are real-life engineering projects offered by industry partners. This unique project approach gives our students an employability advantage at graduation.
Second year
- ENEL 198 Electrical Workshop Course
- ENME 199 Workshop Training Course for Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
- ENGR 200 Engineering Work Experience
- ENCE 260 Computer Systems
- ENEL 270 Principles of Electronics and Devices
- EMTH 210 Engineering Mathematics 2
- EMTH 211 Engineering Linear Algebra and Statistics
- ENME 202 Stress, Strain and Deformation in Machine Elements
- ENME 203 Dynamics and Vibrations
- ENMT 211 Principles of Mechatronics
- ENMT 221 Mechatronics Design 1
Third year
- ENCE 361 Embedded Systems 1
- ENEL 301 Fundamentals of Engineering Economics and Management
- ENEL 372 Power and Analogue Electronics
- ENME 302 Computational and Applied Mechanical Analysis
- ENME 303 Controls and Vibrations
- ENMT 301 Mechatronics System Design
Plus one of:
- ENME 215 Engineering Thermodynamics
- ENME 314 Fluid Mechanics
- ENEL 373 Digital Electronics and Devices
- Any approved 300-level Engineering course
Fourth year
- ENCE 461 Embedded Systems 2
- ENME 403 Linear Systems Control and System Identification
- ENMT 401 Mechatronics Honours Research and Development Project
Plus four courses chosen from:
Graduates with a Mechatronics Engineering degree can take up careers in a wide spectrum of industries, including the robotics, aerospace, chemical, gaming, internet/cloud/software, defence, automotive, and manufacturing industries. Mechatronics graduates also work in businesses that require extensive computer infrastructure and algorithms, such as banking and commerce.
Within these industries, Mechatronics Engineering graduates could be design engineers, software engineers, project planners, product designers, or project managers.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Mechatronics Engineering.
Contact us
Te Tari Pūhanga Pūrere | Department of Mechanical Engineering
Phone +64 3 369 2166
Email engdegreeadvice@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Level 5, Civil-Mechanical Engineering building – see campus maps
Postal address
Te Rāngai Pūkaha | College of Engineering
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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