Natural Resources Engineering
Qualifications
Overview
Natural Resources engineers protect, improve, and maintain the sustainability of the natural resources we depend on. These resources include land, soils, water, the air and atmosphere, renewable energy, and biological resources (including agriculture and horticulture).
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.
- Civil and Natural Resources Engineering at UC is ranked 8th in the world (Academic Ranking of World Universities of Academic Subjects, 2019), and in the top 100 universities in the world for Civil and Structural Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020).
- UC is the only university in Aotearoa New Zealand that offers this programme.
- World-class, high-tech laboratories on campus.
- Mentorship opportunities.
- Ability to build and compete in fun and engaging programmes, such as the bridge competition within your second year at UC.
- Close community of students and professors.
- The Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Natural Resources Engineering is fully accredited by Engineering New Zealand.
UC offers Natural Resources 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 (0 points, no fees)
- 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 Natural Resources Engineering:
In addition you must complete one other 100-level optional course. Check with the College of Engineering | Te Rāngai Pūkaha 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 Natural Resources Engineering, you will study that discipline within the next three years.
Communication skills are nurtured throughout, as all professional engineers need to be able to provide detailed engineering reports and effectively take part in presentations, public hearings, and inquiries.
Second year
- ENCI 199 Health & Safety on the Worksite (0 points, no fees)
- ENGR 200 Engineering Work Experience (0 points, no fees)
- ENCN 201 Communication Skills Portfolio 1 (0 points, no fees)
- ENCN 213 Design Studio 1
- ENCN 221 Engineering Materials
- ENCN 231 Solid Mechanics
- ENCN 242 Fluid Mechanics and Hydrology
- ENCN 253 Soil Mechanics
- ENCN 261 Transport and Surveying
- ENCN 281 Environmental Engineering
- EMTH 210 Engineering Mathematics 2
An external field camp also forms part of the second-year programme.
Third year
- ENCN 301 Communication Skills Portfolio 2 (0 points, no fees)
- ENCN 304 Deterministic Mathematical Methods
- ENCN 305 Programming, Statistics and Optimization
- ENCN 342 Hydraulics and Applied Hydrology
- ENCN 347 Stormwater Systems Engineering
- ENCN 353 Geotechnical Engineering
- ENCN 371 Project and Infrastructure Management
- ENCN 375 Sustainable Engineering for a Changing Climate
- ENNR 320 Integrated Catchment Analysis
An external site visit also forms part of the third-year programme.
Fourth year
Plus four courses chosen from:
- ENNR 405 Ecologically Engineered Designs
- ENNR 422 Water Resources and Irrigation Engineering
- ENNR 423 Sustainable Energy Systems
- ENCN 401 Engineering in Developing Communities
- ENCN 412 Traffic Engineering
- ENCN 415 Pavement Engineering
- ENCN 444 Water Infrastructure and Design
- ENCN 445 Fluid Mechanics of Environmental Systems
- ENCN 452 Advanced Geotechnical Engineering
- ENCN 454 Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
- ENCN 481 Environmental Engineering Design
- ENGR 403 Fire Engineering
- WATR 403 Water Management, Policy, and Planning
- Any approved 400-level Engineering course
Students with a GPA of 6 or more may take a 600-level course as one of their options, with approval.
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.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Natural Resources Engineering.
Contact us
Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering
Phone +64 3 369 3113
Email engdegreeadvice@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
See the Department's website for up-to-date location details.
Postal address
College of Engineering | Te Rāngai Pūkaha
University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
Browse related subjects to Natural Resources Engineering
Choose an area that you are interested in and learn how UC's extensive range of study options can let you study what you want to.
Environmental Science
Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the environment, incorporating its structure and functioning, and human interactions ...
Forest Engineering
Forest engineering is a hybrid of engineering, forestry, and management. It requires people who can combine skills to solve engineering problems in the natural ...