Master of Civil Engineering specialisation in Geotechnical Engineering

A specialisation is a focused collection of courses within a programme that allows you to gain deep, targeted knowledge in a specific sub-field. Normally these courses make up more than 50 percent of a qualification, some of which lead to registration within a certain field. They may be interdisciplinary, professionally oriented, or designed to meet accreditation requirements. Specialisations often restrict elective choice in favour of a clearly defined study plan.

Completed specialisations will appear on your academic transcript.

Please see the main programme link below for further details.

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

MCivilEng - Master of Civil Engineering

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 180 points comprising:

15 points for all Compulsory Programme Course, and
75 points for all Compulsory Engineering Geotechnical Courses, and
90 points from Elective Courses - Stage 7

Compulsory Programme Course

Complete 15 points for ALL of the following:

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

Compulsory Engineering Geotechnical Courses

Complete 75 points for ALL of the following:

CIVIL 700 - Geotechnical Analysis (15 points)

CIVIL 720 - Earthquake Engineering - Level 9 (15 points)

CIVIL 722 - Slope Engineering - Level 9 (15 points)

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

CIVIL 741 - Ground Improvements and Geosynthetics Engineering - Level 9 (15 points)

Elective Courses - Stage 7

Complete exactly 90 points from the following:

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

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

CIVIL 724 - Soil Behaviour (15 points)

CIVIL 721 - Foundation Engineering (15 points)

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

CIVIL 731 - Water Resources Modelling (15 points)

CIVIL 733 - Coastal Engineering Dynamics (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 769 - Highway Geometric Design - Level 9 (15 points)

DISMGT 701 - Disaster Risk Management - Level 9 (15 points)

DISMGT 703 - Disaster Management and Resilience - Level 9 (15 points)

EARTHSCI 770 - Engineering Geological Mapping (15 points)

EARTHSCI 771 - Advanced Engineering Geology (15 points)

ENGGEN 726 - Climate Adaptation of Infrastructure (15 points)

ENGGEN 730 - Leadership and Professional Development (15 points)

ENGGEN 769 - Research Methods for Engineers (15 points)

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

STRCTENG 710 - Low Rise Structures Design (15 points)

STRCTENG 711 - Multistorey Structures Design (15 points)

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

Please note that while regulations and programme rules for future academic years may be displayed or made available in advance, they remain subject to change. Official, final approved programme regulations for the upcoming academic year will be available when the University Calendar is published in late October of the preceding year. Any information available prior to Calendar publication should be treated as provisional.

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