Natural Resources Engineering
Qualifications
Overview
Natural resources and environmental engineers improve or maintain the sustainability of natural resources through creative design and wise application of technology. Natural resources engineering takes into consideration both the impact of humans on natural systems and the impact of natural systems on humans.
Natural resources and environmental engineering is the application of the physical (and social) sciences, using a system-based approach to design technology for the sustainable development, management, and conservation of our natural resources. These resources include land, soils, water, the atmosphere, renewable energy, and biological resources (such as plants and animals). Wastes are also considered resources, and can be recycled in a variety of ways, and end products utilised.
- UC is the only university in Aotearoa New Zealand that offers this programme.
- The Bachelor of Engineering with Honours is fully accredited by Engineering New Zealand.
- See the Engineering subject page for many other reasons why UC's College of Engineering | Te Rāngai Pūkaha is a world-class destination for engineering studies.
UC offers Natural Resources Engineering as a discipline within the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours.
Intermediate Year (first year)
The first year of the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours is called the Engineering Intermediate Year. For Natural Resources Engineering students, this is made up of:
Five 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
- PHYS 101 Engineering Physics A: Mechanics, Waves, Electromagnetism and Thermal Physics
Plus courses specific to Natural Resources Engineering:
- CHEM 111 Chemical Principles and Processes
- EMTH 171 Mathematical Modelling and Computation
- ENGR 102 Engineering Mathematics
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 Intermediate Year, visit the Intermediate Year webpage.
The Professional Years (2nd–4th years)
Once you have completed the Engineering Intermediate Year and successfully applied for entry into Natural Resources Engineering, you will study that discipline within the three professional 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.
First Professional 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 First Professional Year's programme.
Second Professional Year
- ENCN 301 Communication Skills Portfolio 2 (0 points, no fees)
- ENCN 304 Deterministic Mathematical Methods
- ENCN 305 Programming, Statistics and Optimization
- ENCN 342 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
- ENCN 353 Geotechnical Engineering
- ENCN 371 Project and Infrastructure Management
- ENCN 375 Sustainable Engineering for a Changing Climate
- ENNR 320 Integrated Catchment Analysis
- ENNR 322 Ecological Engineering
An external site visit also forms part of the Second Professional Year's programme.
Third Professional Year
Plus one of:
Plus three courses chosen from:
- ENCN 401 Engineering in Developing Communities
- ENCN 412 Traffic Engineering
- ENCN 415 Pavement Engineering
- ENCN 444 Water Infrastructure and Design
- ENCN 445 Environmental Fluid Mechanics
- ENCN 452 Advanced Geotechnical Engineering
- ENCN 454 Introduction to Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
- ENCN 481 Environmental Engineering Design
- ENGE 411 Engineering Construction Practice
- ENGE 412 Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
- ENGR 403 Fire Engineering
- ENNR 405 Ecological and Bioresources Engineering
- ENNR 422 Water Resources and Irrigation Engineering
- ENNR 423 Sustainable Energy Systems
- 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.
With their holistic approach to engineering in relation to natural resources, specialist engineers in this field are well placed to make a positive contribution to the development of sustainable lifestyles, something of vital importance to the future of humankind.
Natural resources engineers are scarce in the professional workplace and there are plenty of exciting jobs, 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
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