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Contents

Subject Overview

Engineering Science underpins all modern engineering practice, focusing on the development and use of computer models to understand, plan and control our world. This specialisation prompts students to answer complex questions using the power of computers, mathematics, and technology. This creates versatile thinkers who are in high demand in many industries today.

With an emphasis on project work, Engineering Science prompts questions relevant to the real world, such as:
- How can you emphasise environmental sustainability while ensuring profit?
- How can a sail be designed to work in low-wind conditions?
- How much should airline tickets be worth to maximise revenue per flight?
- How much damage is inflicted on a car in the event of a crash?
- How can metals be cut in an efficient way?
- What’s the optimal delivery route for a local supermarket?
- What happens to an athlete's muscles when they are injured?

Beyond an engaged roster of academic staff and a tight-knit student cohort, the Department of Engineering Science and Biomedical Engineering also boasts collaborations with many of the University’s world-renowned experts within the Geothermal Institute, Auckland - Bioengineering Institute, the Operations Research and Computational Analytics group, and more. The University of Auckland is additionally the only tertiary institute in New Zealand to offer Engineering Science as an undergraduate specialisation, making our graduates uniquely qualified to take on the challenges in our local industry.

Knowledge and Skills

A Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Engineering Science features smaller class sizes and practical, project-based learning. Beyond your first year, you’ll be exposed to the foundations of the specialisations, with courses in mathematical modelling, electronics, mechanics, materials, operations research and computer programming.

Undergraduate study in Engineering Science features two core sub-specialisations:
- Operations Research (OR): Called the “science of better”, this is an approach to making good decisions – ones that are shorter, faster, cheaper, safer, and more reliable. OR involves drawing from your mathematics, statistics, and computing skills to build computer models of complex problems and situations, followed by the implementation of advanced optimisation algorithms to find optimal solutions.

- Computational Mechanics: This involves the study of what happens when forces are applied to materials It’s applicable to everyday activities that from pouring a coffee or biting an apple to designing spacecraft. Sub-topics include:
Solid mechanics, which is the study of solid material behavior – for example, how concrete, foam, steel, tissue and gels behave in mild winds or massive explosions
Fluid dynamics, which is concerned with the motion of liquids and gases. This knowledge can be used in aeronautics or yachting, and even in studying blood flow in the human body. It is also applied to predicting and managing the behaviour of natural systems such as petroleum reservoirs and groundwater.

All our BE(Hons) specialisations are accredited by Engineering NZ, so your qualification will be recognised in many countries.

Potential Careers

Our graduates are found in many of New Zealand’s leading companies, including Air New Zealand, Navman and Meridian Energy, as well as government organisations such as NIWA and Transpower, and consultancy firms like Beca and Maunsell. Many graduates also find fulfilling careers overseas. Engineering Science opens up opportunities within fields that require the modelling of optimal production processes, advanced programming skills, and logical thinking. So you may potentially see yourself in management or software design roles in the engineering, industrial, medical, service or business sector.

Other information

Please note that all entry requirements for your chosen programme still apply.
You may qualify for postgraduate study in Engineering Science if you have a suitable undergraduate degree in Engineering, Science or Mathematics.

Schedule

Plan Schedules

Complete 315 points comprising:

  • 105 points for Part II, and
  • 105 points for Part III, and
  • 105 points for Part IV

Part II

Complete 105 points comprising:

  • 1 item from Workshop Practice Courses, and
  • 90 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
  • 15 points from Elective Courses

Workshop Practice Courses

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Part III

Complete 105 points comprising:

  • 90 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
  • 15 points from Elective Courses

Elective Courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

Part IV

Complete 105 points comprising:

  • 1 item from Practical Work Course, and
  • 30 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
  • 45 points from Elective Courses, and
  • 30 points for all Research Project

Practical Work Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Compulsory Courses

Complete 30 points for ALL of the following:

Research Project

Complete 30 points for ALL of the following: