Master of Civil Engineering specialisation in Geotechnical Engineering

In Geotechnical Engineering, you can learn about the interaction between the natural environment and the built structures we rely on, such as building and bridge foundations, tunnelling, and earth dams.

At the University of Auckland, we have established links with the geotechnical engineering profession in New Zealand and overseas. This strengthens our current research areas, which include:
- Laboratory and field characterisation of the geotechnical properties of New Zealand materials
- The design of foundations to resist earthquake loads
- The micro-mechanical behaviour of geomaterials and its effect on macro-response
- Rainfall-induced slope instabilities and shrink-swell characteristics

Our Master of Civil Engineering in Geotechnical Engineering is designed for students with an academic engineering background who intend to advance their understanding of soil mechanics and rock mechanics in relation to geotechnical challenges.

New Zealand is a stimulating country in which to practise geotechnical engineering, with its young and varied geology, seismic activity and diverse rainfall patterns. Many unique problems occur here as a result, and these present challenges that require innovative and novel solutions.

Some of the research areas and course topics include:

Computational geotechnical engineering
Geotechnical Engineering in Professional Practice
Ground Improvements and Geosynthetics Engineering
Engineering seismology and dynamic site response
Advanced mathematical modelling
Foundational Engineering

This programme aims to enhance your ability to practice in New Zealand’s challenging geotechnical engineering environment. By familiarising you with the unique challenges presented in the New Zealand industry, the courses will prepare you for roles in planning, constructing, maintaining, and managing the country’s geotechnical infrastructure. The course also provides valuable background expertise if you wish to pursue careers in asset management or in research and development fields.

You will be taught principles of soil and rock mechanics, which could lead to roles where you:

Investigate subsurface conditions and materials
Determine the relevant physical/mechanical and chemical properties of these materials and evaluate the stability of natural slopes and man-made soil deposits
Assess risks posed by site conditions
Design earthworks and structure foundations

Complete 120 points comprising:

15 points for all Environmental Engineering Compulsory Course, and
At least 30 points from Group 1 Elective Courses, and
15 points for all Engineering General Compulsory Course, and
At least 30 points from Group 2 Elective Courses, and
0 to 30 points from Other Courses in the Schedule

Environmental Engineering Compulsory Course

Complete 15 points for ALL of the following:

ENVENG 702 - Engineering Decision Making in Aotearoa - Level 9 (15 points)

Group 1 Elective Courses

Complete at least 30 points from the following:

CIVIL 702 - Design of Earthquake Resistant Foundations - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 724 - Soil Behaviour - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 725 - Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 788 - Research Project - Level 9 (30 points)

CIVIL 788A - Research Project - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 788B - Research Project - Level 9 (15 points)

Engineering General Compulsory Course

Complete 15 points for ALL of the following:

ENGGEN 730 - Leadership and Professional Development (15 points)

Group 2 Elective Courses

Complete at least 30 points from the following:

CIVIL 700 - Geotechnical Analysis (15 points)

CIVIL 720 - Earthquake Engineering (15 points)

CIVIL 721 - Foundation Engineering (15 points)

CIVIL 722 - Slope Engineering (15 points)

CIVIL 728 - Geotechnical Engineering in Professional Practice (15 points)

CIVIL 741 - Ground Improvements and Geosynthetics Engineering (15 points)

CIVIL 754 - Geotechnical Modelling (15 points)

Other Courses in the Schedule

Complete 0 to 30 points from the following:

EARTHSCI 770 - Engineering Geological Mapping (15 points)

EARTHSCI 771 - Advanced Engineering Geology (15 points)

CIVIL 700 - Geotechnical Analysis (15 points)

CIVIL 701 - Studies in Civil Engineering 1 (15 points)

CIVIL 702 - Design of Earthquake Resistant Foundations - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 704 - Advanced Topics in Project Management - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 706 - Special Topic: Water-sensitive Cities (15 points)

CIVIL 707 - Construction Supply Chain Management - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 710 - Advanced Structural Dynamics - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 711 - Structures Seminar (15 points)

CIVIL 713 - Structures and Design 4 (15 points)

CIVIL 714 - Multistorey Building Design (15 points)

CIVIL 715 - Advanced Structural Concrete - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 717 - Advanced Structural Timber - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 718 - Light Gauge Steel (15 points)

CIVIL 719 - Matrix Structural Analysis (15 points)

CIVIL 720 - Earthquake Engineering (15 points)

CIVIL 721 - Foundation Engineering (15 points)

CIVIL 722 - Slope Engineering (15 points)

CIVIL 724 - Soil Behaviour - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 725 - Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 727 - Dynamics of Structures in Earthquakes (15 points)

CIVIL 728 - Geotechnical Engineering in Professional Practice (15 points)

CIVIL 730 - Fluid Mechanics (15 points)

CIVIL 731 - Water Resources Modelling (15 points)

CIVIL 732 - Coastal Engineering Design (15 points)

CIVIL 733 - Coastal Engineering Dynamics (15 points)

CIVIL 734 - River Engineering (15 points)

CIVIL 737 - Coastal Modelling (15 points)

CIVIL 738 - Construction 4.0: The Future of Construction - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 740 - Studies in Civil Engineering 3 - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 741 - Ground Improvements and Geosynthetics Engineering (15 points)

CIVIL 742 - Bridge Design (15 points)

CIVIL 743 - Special Topic: Building Information Modelling (15 points)

CIVIL 744 - Special Study in Earthquake Engineering (15 points)

CIVIL 745 - Seismic Assessment of Existing Buildings - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 746 - Nonlinear Structural Analysis - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 750 - Timber Engineering (15 points)

CIVIL 754 - Geotechnical Modelling (15 points)

CIVIL 761 - Planning and Design of Transport Facilities (15 points)

CIVIL 762 - Transport Planning and Modelling (15 points)

CIVIL 763 - Smart Infrastructure Analytics (15 points)

CIVIL 764 - Highway Safety and Operations - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 765 - Infrastructure Asset Management - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 766 - Transportation Asset Management - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 767 - Pavement Analysis and Design (15 points)

CIVIL 769 - Highway Geometric Design - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 770 - Transport Systems Economics - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 771 - Planning and Managing Transport - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 773 - Sustainable Transport: Planning and Design (15 points)

CIVIL 774 - Studies in Transportation 1 (15 points)

CIVIL 781 - Civil Engineering Planning and Execution (15 points)

CIVIL 782 - Water Resources Engineering (15 points)

ENGGEN 730 - Leadership and Professional Development (15 points)

ENGGEN 734 - Engineering Contracts for Project Managers (15 points)

ENGGEN 735 - Project Management Case Studies (15 points)

ENGGEN 737 - Engineering Risk Management - Level 9 (15 points)

ENGGEN 738 - Work Based Learning - Level 9 (15 points)

ENGGEN 739 - Cost Engineering - Level 9 (15 points)

ENGGEN 742 - Project Management (15 points)

ENGGEN 743 - Applied Creative Thinking (15 points)

ENGGEN 769 - Research Methods for Engineers (15 points)

ENVENG 701 - Urban Stormwater Management - Level 9 (15 points)

ENVENG 702 - Engineering Decision Making in Aotearoa - Level 9 (15 points)

ENVENG 703 - Directed Study - Level 9 (15 points)

ENVENG 705 - Special Topic (15 points)

ENVENG 706 - Special Topic (15 points)

ENVENG 707 - Advanced Water Treatment and Reuse - Level 9 (15 points)

ENVENG 740 - Water and Wastewater Engineering (15 points)

ENVENG 744 - Environmental Engineering Processes Laboratory (15 points)

ENVENG 746 - Surface Water Quality Modelling - Level 9 (15 points)

ENVENG 747 - Environmental Fate of Chemicals and Mitigation - Level 9 (15 points)

ENVENG 750 - Advanced Sustainability Engineering - Level 9 (15 points)

ENVENG 752 - Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment (15 points)

ENVMGT 748 - Coastal Management (15 points)

GEOG 746 - Coastal Environments (15 points)

STRCTENG 710 - Low Rise Structures Design (15 points)

STRCTENG 711 - Multistorey Structures Design (15 points)

STRCTENG 760 - Forensic Structural Engineering (15 points)

Up to 30 points may be substituted from other relevant 600 and 700 level courses offered in the Faculty of Engineering approved by the Programme Director.

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