Master of Engineering Studies specialisation in Engineering Science

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.

The Department of Engineering Science and Biomedical Engineering has an outstanding reputation for the quality of its research activities, with strong collaborative ties to the Geothermal Institute and the Auckland Bioengineering Institute.
The nature of this specialisation means that you’ll likely explore applications within major methodological areas, including Operations Research and Computational Mechanics. You’ll be equipped with problem-solving, modelling, analytical and computing skills that are relevant to many global industries.

Some research areas include:
- Network design and simulation
- Vehicle routing for uncertain weather
- Integer programming and applications
- Treatment planning
- Fluid flow in geothermal reservoirs
- Wind-flow modelling for the design of wind farms
- Petroleum reservoir engineering, such as well testing and reservoir simulation and characterisation

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.

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.

Complete 120 points comprising:

45 points from Group 1 Elective Courses, and
75 points from Group 2 Elective Courses

Group 1 Elective Courses

Complete exactly 45 points from the following:

ENGSCI 787 - Project X (15 points)

ENGSCI 788 - Research Project (30 points)

ENGSCI 788A - Research Project (15 points)

ENGSCI 788B - Research Project (15 points)

ENGSCI 789 - Project Z (30 points)

ENGSCI 795 - Research Project (45 points)

ENGSCI 795A - Research Project (15 points)

ENGSCI 795B - Research Project (30 points)

Group 2 Elective Courses

Complete exactly 75 points from the following:

BIOMENG 771 - Musculoskeletal and Orthopaedic Biomechanics (15 points)

ENGSCI 705 - Special Topic (15 points)

ENGSCI 706 - Special Topic (15 points)

ENGSCI 711 - Advanced Mathematical Modelling (15 points)

ENGSCI 712 - Computational Algorithms for Signal Processing (15 points)

ENGSCI 721 - Data-centric Engineering for Physical Systems (15 points)

ENGSCI 740 - Computational Engineering for Physical Systems (15 points)

ENGSCI 742 - Studies in Continuum Mechanics (15 points)

ENGSCI 746 - Advanced Modelling and Simulation in Computational Mechanics (15 points)

ENGSCI 760 - Algorithms for Optimisation (15 points)

ENGSCI 761 - Integer and Multi-objective Optimisation (15 points)

ENGSCI 763 - Advanced Simulation and Stochastic Optimisation (15 points)

ENGSCI 765 - Advanced Optimisation in Operations Research (15 points)

ENGSCI 768 - Advanced Operations Research and Analytics (15 points)

ENVENG 702 - Engineering Decision Making in Aotearoa (15 points)

GEOTHERM 785 - Geothermal and Reservoir Engineering (15 points)

Up to 45 points may be substituted from appropriate 600 and 700 level courses offered at this University, subject to approval by the Head of Department.

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