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 a host of other reasons why UC's College of Engineering | Te Rāngai Pūkaha is a globally recognised destination for engineering studies.
Intermediate Year courses (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 Academic Writing Assessment*
- ENGR 101 Foundations of Engineering
- EMTH 118 Engineering Mathematics 1A
- EMTH 119 Engineering Mathematics 1B
- PHYS 101 Engineering Physics A: Mechanics, Waves 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 study at least 15 points of elective courses
To ensure a total workload of 120 points in the first year. It is advisable to check with the College of Engineering | Te Rāngai Pūkaha Student Advisor for suggested electives.
More information:
- To see how this qualification is structured, see the degree diagram on the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours page.
- See the Regulations for the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Intermediate Year.
- For guidance on how to structure your Intermediate Year, visit the Intermediate Year webpage.
The Professional 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.
The First Professional Year of the Natural Resources Engineering programme is the same as the Civil Engineering degree programme. Courses include fluid mechanics, surveying, materials, solid mechanics, soil mechanics, and environmental engineering. A field camp also forms part of the First Professional Year of the programme.
The Second Professional Year includes courses offered through Civil Engineering on infrastructure management, fluid mechanics, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering and design, and introduces specific Natural Resources Engineering courses. These topics consist of ecological engineering, and integrated catchment analysis and design.
During the Third Professional Year, students have more flexibility. All final year students must complete a natural resource engineering research project, and a selection of courses which can focus on water resource engineering, ecological engineering, bio-resources engineering, engineering in developing communities, hydrology, waste and wastewater management, and energy.
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.
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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