BE(Hons) - Mechanical Engineering as a specified programme
Coming to the Bay of Plenty: From 2019, years 1 and 4 of the Mechanical Engineering programme will be available to BE(Hons) students in Tauranga.
The Bachelor of Engineering with Honours is the basis for a professional career in engineering, and at Waikato you're provided with plenty of opportunities to apply what you’ve learnt in real-life work situations.
Mechanical engineering uses mechanics and energy principles to design, research, develop and manufacture tools, engines, motors and other devices. At the University of Waikato we align what you learn with what industry requires.
Apply to enrol
Key information
| Years: | 4.0 |
|---|---|
| Points: | 480 |
| Study Locations: | Hamilton |
| Start Dates: | Semester A (February) and Semester B (July) |
| Fees (Domestic): |
$7,432 per year See if you're eligible for fees-free study in your first year |
| Fees (International): | $32,455 per year |
| Entry Requirements: | Undergraduate International |
| Faculty: | |
| *Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. | |
Career opportunities
- Aeronautical Engineer
- Agricultural Engineer
- Automation Engineer
- Energy Engineer
- Equipment Prototype Engineer
- Materials Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Process Engineer
- Product Developer
- Project Manager
Degree planner — BE(Hons) in Mechanical Engineering
If no point value is listed, papers are worth 15 points. This structure applies to study starting in 2019.
Year 3
Programme Elective
(see footnotes)
Programme Elective
(see footnotes)
Year 4
Programme Elective
(see footnotes)
Programme Elective
(see footnotes)
Programme Elective
(see footnotes)
- Compulsory
- Stream
- Programme Elective
- Placement
“I really liked how the BSc(Tech) degree allowed me to have real work experience and connected me with people in the working world from a variety of industries”.
Read stories from other students
Papers
Papers available within Mechanical Engineering
The Mechanical Engineering programme combines papers in mechanical engineering, science and mathematics to give graduates a good balance between intellectual rigour and engineering practice. This typically prepares graduates for employment in industry and a wide range of other careers. During the first three years, the curriculum includes engineering design as a major theme, which integrates papers in engineering science. In the final year students specialise in areas such as advanced product development and undertake a major design or laboratory-based project.
Mechanical Engineering is available as a specified programme for the BE(Hons).
To complete the specified programme in Mechanical Engineering, students must follow the following programme.
Year 1
Students must take the following papers: ENGEN103, ENGEN110, ENGEN111, ENGEN112, ENGEN170, ENGEN180, ENGEN183 and ENGEN184.
Year 2
Students must take the following papers: ENGEN201, ENGEN270, ENGEN271, ENGME221, ENGME251, ENGME280, ENGMP211 and ENGMP213.
Plus 15 points of electives from their chosen elective path: COMPX203 or ENGCB224.
Year 3
Students must take the following papers: ENGEN301, ENGEN371, ENGEV342, ENGME352, ENGME353, ENGME380 and ENGMP313.
Plus 30 points of electives from either ENGCB223, ENGCB321, or ENGMP311 or ENGME357, ENGME323.
Year 4
Students must take the following papers: ENGEN570, ENGEN582, and ENGME580.
Plus 30 points of electives (with no more than one 300 level paper): ENGCB321, ENGEV341, ENGCB521, ENGCB523, ENGEN583, ENGME540, ENGME557, ENGMP511, ENGMP512 and ENGMP513.
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| ENGEN103 | Engineering Computing | 19A (Hamilton), 19A (Tauranga) & 19T (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces computer programming in languages such as C# and Python. It provides the basis for the programming skills required in more advanced papers within the School of Engineering. | ||
| ENGEN110 | Engineering Mechanics | 19B (Hamilton) & 19B (Tauranga) |
| This paper covers aspects of engineering mechanics. | ||
| ENGEN111 | Electricity and Electronics | 19A (Hamilton), 19A (Tauranga) & 19T (Hamilton) |
| Students are introduced to underlying concepts in electricity such as current, voltage and power, and apply these concepts in a laboratory by making circuits and measuring them with common laboratory instruments. | ||
| ENGEN112 | Materials Science and Engineering | 19B (Hamilton) & 19B (Tauranga) |
| Introduction to engineering materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, semiconductors and biomaterials) and their atomic structure and mechanical properties. Includes; elastic and plastic deformation, fracture mechanisms, failure in service, iron-carbon phase diagram, redox reactions in corrosion, production of polymers, ce... | ||
| ENGEN170 | Engineering and Society | 19B (Hamilton) & 19B (Tauranga) |
| Introduction to the role of engineering in society in particular understanding of Treaty of Waitangi, history of science, engineering and technology, philosophy and ethics and public participation, participatory design, sustainability. | ||
| ENGEN180 | Foundations of Engineering | 19A (Hamilton) & 19A (Tauranga) |
| Introduction to the engineering design process and computer aided design, fundamental principles of engineering analysis, open ended problem solving, engineering economics and the skills of a successful engineer. Includes a design-build-test experience. | ||
| ENGEN183 | Linear Algebra and Statistics for Engineers | 19A (Hamilton), 19A (Tauranga), 19B (Hamilton) & 19B (Tauranga) |
| A study of introductory statistics and the fundamental techniques of algebra including Gaussian elimination, vector and matrix algebra, complex numbers, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, as well as basic statistical notions and tools, with engineering applications. | ||
| ENGEN184 | Calculus for Engineers | 19A (Hamilton), 19A (Tauranga), 19B (Hamilton), 19B (Tauranga), 19S (Hamilton) & 19S (Tauranga) |
| A study of the fundamental techniques of calculus, including differentiation and integration for functions of one real variable, with engineering applications. | ||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| COMPX203 | Computer Systems | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides an overview of the operation of computer systems. The central theme is the way in which the hardware and software co-operate to allow the execution of programs written in a high-level language. | ||
| ENGCB223 | Fluid Mechanics | 19B (Hamilton) |
| Basic principles of fluid statics and dynamics, including fluid viscosity, Bernoulli and mechanical energy equation, momentum analysis, dimensional analysis, flow in pipes and ducts, flow over bodies, and compressible flow. | ||
| ENGCB224 | Heat and Mass Transfer | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the fundamentals of heat and mass transfer analysis, including conduction, heat convection, radiation, molecular diffusion and mass convection. Finned surfaces and heat exchangers are also covered. | ||
| ENGEN201 | Engineering Mathematics 2 | 19B (Hamilton) |
| Calculus of Several Variables and its Applications. Vector calculus (Green's, Gauss' and Stokes' theorems). Taylor's Theorem in n dimensions. Introduction to partial differential equations. Fourier series. | ||
| ENGEN270 | Engineering Professional Practice 1 | 19A (Hamilton) |
| Preparation for success in the engineering workplace including CV preparation, interview techniques, job seeking skills, online profile, workplace and engineering business cultures and norms, ethics, communication and management structures. | ||
| ENGEN271 | Engineering Work Placement 1 | 19C (Hamilton), 19S (Hamilton) & 19T (Hamilton) |
| First work placement involving 400 hours of work experience at an approved engineering organisation relevant to your studies. Typically undertaken during the summer semesters at the end of second year. | ||
| ENGME221 | Engineering Thermodynamics | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the fundamental concepts and laws of thermodynamics, including thermodynamics properties of substances, first and second law analysis, power cycles, refrigeration cycles and simple combustion analysis of engines. | ||
| ENGME251 | Dynamics and Vibration | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the principles and application of dynamics and vibration. | ||
| ENGME280 | Design and Manufacturing 1 | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the fundamentals of engineering design and manufacture. | ||
| ENGMP211 | Materials 1 | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper will provide a foundation for understanding the relationship between material structure, processing and behaviour to support engineering of materials and engineering with materials. | ||
| ENGMP213 | Mechanics of Materials 1 | 19A (Hamilton) |
| Stress and failure analysis of statically determinant and material systems under axial, bending and torsional loads, including beam deflections, buckling of struts, shear in joints, twisting in circular shafts and couplings. | ||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| ENGCB321 | Thermal Engineering | 19B (Hamilton) |
| Application of engineering thermodynamics to steady and unsteady industrial processes, including, steam boiler systems, advanced power and refrigeration cycles, cooling towers and plant utility systems | ||
| ENGCB322 | Chemical and Biological Operations | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the principle and application of enzymes, concepts of fermentation technology, principles of bioreactor operation, bioprocess variables and their measurement, key product separation techniques, and bioprocess economics. | ||
| ENGCB323 | Chemical Reaction Engineering | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper is an introduction to the quantitative treatment of chemical and biological reaction and reactor engineering, including homogeneous and heterogeneous reacting systems. | ||
| ENGCB324 | Mass Transfer Operations | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the application of heat and mass transfer, and thermodynamics to chemical and physical separation process. | ||
| ENGCB380 | Process Engineering Design 2 | 19B (Hamilton) |
| Conceptual and detailed design, costing and economic assessment of chemical, biological and materials process plants, including software and numerical simulation, separation trains, heat exchanger and pump sizing, and reactor kinetics. | ||
| ENGCV312 | Structural Engineering 2 | 19B (Hamilton) |
| Analysis of statically indeterminant structures, application of moment-area method, computer analysis of structures, design of structures in steel, wood, reinforced concrete and pre-stressed concrete. | ||
| ENGCV323 | Water Engineering 2 | 19A (Hamilton) |
| Application of fluid mechanics principles to water engineering applications such as design of pipe system networks, pump characteristics and selection, open channel flow, hydraulic jump, measurement, analysis and modelling of surface hydrological processes. | ||
| ENGCV331 | Geotechnical Engineering 2 | 19B (Hamilton) |
| Basic principles and concepts governing the behaviour of soils and rocks, including phase relationships, permeability and seepage, soil strength, compressibility, slope stability analysis, consolidation and settlement with application to design of foundations. | ||
| ENGCV351 | Construction 2 | 19A (Hamilton) |
| Construction processes and building technology including surveying, site preparation, earthworks, foundations, Building Information Modeling (BIM), risk assessment, site health and safety, construction project management, demolition and site remediation. | ||
| ENGCV380 | Civil Design Challenge 2 | 19B (Hamilton) |
| Engineering design principles applied to an advanced open-ended civil design challenge. Design standards, project finance, environmental consideration, health and safety and risk assesssment. | ||
| ENGEE323 | Sensors and Measurement | 19B (Hamilton) |
| The paper covers the theory and applications of semiconductor sensors and the basic theory and design concepts used in common electronic measurement systems used by electronic engineers. | ||
| ENGEE331 | Signals | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers communications signalling and modulation, and signals fundamentals. Wired and wireless, baseband and passband, the Fourier representation of signals, bandwidth, and transmit filtering, are taught. | ||
| ENGEE334 | Transmission Lines & Antennas | 19A (Hamilton) |
| The paper uses classical electromagnetic theory to describe the propagation of electromagnetic waves and to analyse applications like transmission lines, waveguides, antennas, and microwave circuits. | ||
| ENGEE335 | Integrated Circuits | 19B (Hamilton) |
| The paper covers techniques for fabricating ICs, CMOS devices, logic gate characteristics and design, monolithic topologies such as differential pairs, multipliers, current mirrors, bandgap references, opamps, device failure mechanisms, ESD, electromigration, and estimating circuit reliability. | ||
| ENGEE336 | Power Electronics | 19B (Hamilton) |
| Paper covers theory, design, applications and the systems approach in power electronics. Subjects include power semiconductors, power converters, energy storge devices, DC power management, AC power conditioning and surge protection. | ||
| ENGEN301 | Engineering Mathematics 3 | 19A (Hamilton) |
| Introduces numerical methods and statistical ideas relevant to Engineering. | ||
| ENGEN371 | Engineering Work Placement 2 | 19C (Hamilton) |
| Second work placement involving 400 hours of work experience at an approved engineering organisation relevant to your studies. Typically undertaken during the summer semesters at the end of third year. | ||
| ENGEN390 | Special Topics in Engineering 1 | 19A (Hamilton), 19B (Hamilton), 19C (Hamilton) & 19Y (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic supervised by a member of staff. | ||
| ENGEN391 | Special Topics in Engineering 2 | 19A (Hamilton), 19B (Hamilton), 19C (Hamilton) & 19Y (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic supervised by a member of staff. | ||
| ENGEV341 | Environmental Engineering 2 | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the design, operation and management of unit processes used in environmental engineering including air, water, wastewater, storm water, waste, soils and noise treatment and control systems. | ||
| ENGEV342 | Sustainable Engineering | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers sustainability in engineering design within the context of quality standards, emissions, carbon accounting and life cycle analysis. | ||
| ENGME323 | Thermofluids | 19B (Hamilton) |
| Application of basic principles of fluids and heat transfer to mechatronic engineering. Topics include fluid viscocity, fluid statics, hydraulics, flow in pipes, fans and pumps, conduction, convection and radiation heat transfer, heat exchangers and cooling electronic components. | ||
| ENGME352 | Machine Control and Applications | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper teaches students the theory and application of machine control. | ||
| ENGME353 | Electrical and Mechanical Machines | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper teaches students the theory and application of electrical and mechanical machines. | ||
| ENGME357 | Microcontrollers and Mechatronics | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper teaches students the basics of mechatronics with advanced theory of machine control. | ||
| ENGME380 | Design and Manufacturing 2 | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers modern aspects of engineering design and manufacture. | ||
| ENGMP311 | Materials 2 | 19B (Hamilton) |
| It will develop understanding of the relationship between material structure, processing and behaviour to support engineering of materials and engineering with materials. | ||
| ENGMP313 | Mechanics of Materials 2 | 19B (Hamilton) |
| Advanced level knowledge on mechanics and performance of materials, covering stress and strain transformations, failure criteria, unsymmetrical bending, torsion of non-circular sections, fatigue, materials selection and materials testing. | ||
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| ENGCB521 | Advanced Process Control | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the fundamentals of process control, and introduces advanced process control strategies. | ||
| ENGCB523 | Advanced Energy Engineering | 19A (Hamilton) |
| Analysis of chemical processing plants and renewable, cogen and smart energy systems through pinch analysis and total site process integration. | ||
| ENGCB561 | Advanced Bioprocessing 1 | 19A (Hamilton) |
| Theory of protein purification and selected large-scale bioprocesses. | ||
| ENGCB563 | Food Technology 1 | 19A (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
| ENGCB564 | Food Technology 2 | 19B (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
| ENGCV512 | Advanced Structural Design | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers advanced analysis and design of structures made from structural steel, reinforced concrete, reinforced masonry and timber, including connections, retaining walls and concrete floor slabs. | ||
| ENGCV513 | Earthquake Engineering and Design | 19B (Hamilton) |
| Design of civil structures to withstand natural hazards and seismic events, including materials selection, geology and geotechnical considerations, types of foundations and single and multi-level structures. | ||
| ENGCV531 | Advanced Geotechnical Engineering | 19B (Hamilton) |
| Principles of critical state soil mechanics and soil plasticity applied to soil-structure interactions under seismic loading and the practical aspects of geotechnical earthquake engineering. | ||
| ENGCV541 | Advanced Highways and Transportation | 19A (Hamilton) |
| Universal design and participatory planning of useful, safe and resilient land-based transport systems and infrastructure. | ||
| ENGEE504 | Analog Filter Design | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces students to the design of electronic filters to process analog signals. | ||
| ENGEE505 | Rechargeable Batteries and their Management | 19A (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
| ENGEE506 | Electronics Systems Analysis | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper uses the approach of problem based learning for the analysis of common electronics circuits and their applications. | ||
| ENGEE516 | Surge Protection of Electronic Systems | 19B (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
| ENGEE531 | Advanced Signal Processing | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces advanced methods for digitally processing signals. It covers signal transforms with applications in 1D and 2D, principles and practical methods of digital filter design, statistical signal processing. | ||
| ENGEE532 | Image Processing and Machine Vision | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper is an introduction to image processing and machine vision in the context of machine automation and control and includes noise suppression, object recognition and tracking, and camera technologies and geometries. | ||
| ENGEE580 | Mechatronic Projects | 19A (Hamilton) |
| The paper brings together electronic, programming, and mechanical skills into projects where real-time systems are designed, constructed, and demonstrated. Timing of actuators and sensor inputs from fastest to slowest limits of a real-time controller imparts an appreciation of scheduling what is possible in any given mechatronic pr... | ||
| ENGEE585 | Advanced Power Electronics | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides an advanced systems-level teaching on the subject of power electronics. Subjects include power semiconductors, power converters, energy storage devices, DC power management, AC power conditioning and surge protection. | ||
| ENGEN508 | Master's Capstone Project | 19C (Hamilton) |
| This paper requires students to carry out a theoretical or empirical investigation in a relevant subject/engineering discipline and write a report on the findings of the investigation. | ||
| ENGEN570 | Engineering Professional Practice 2 | 19Y (Hamilton) |
| Role engineers in industry, business and society, contract law and legal responsibility, Treaty of Waitangi considerations, intellectual property, teamwork and leadership skills, responsibilities of a professional, ethics with industrial case studies. | ||
| ENGEN581 | Honours Research Project | 19A (Hamilton), 19B (Hamilton), 19C (Hamilton) & 19Y (Hamilton) |
| Final year honours research project carried out on a topic assigned and supervised by a member of staff. | ||
| ENGEN582 | Honours Research and Development Project | 19A (Hamilton), 19B (Hamilton), 19C (Hamilton) & 19Y (Hamilton) |
| This is the final year Honours, research and design "capstone" project. | ||
| ENGEN583 | Special Topics in Engineering 3 | 19A (Hamilton), 19B (Hamilton), 19C (Hamilton) & 19Y (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic supervised by a member of staff. | ||
| ENGEN584 | Special Topics in Engineering 4 | 19A (Hamilton), 19B (Hamilton) & 19C (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic supervised by a member of staff.? | ||
| ENGEN585 | Special Topics in Engineering 5 | 19A (Hamilton), 19B (Hamilton) & 19C (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic supervised by a member of staff. | ||
| ENGEN586 | Special Topics in Engineering 6 | 19A (Hamilton), 19B (Hamilton) & 19C (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic supervised by a member of staff. | ||
| ENGEN587 | Directed Study 1 | 19A (Hamilton), 19B (Hamilton) & 19C (Hamilton) |
| Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. | ||
| ENGEN588 | Directed Study 2 | 19A (Hamilton), 19B (Hamilton) & 19C (Hamilton) |
| Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. | ||
| ENGEV543 | Design for Energy and the Environment | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This interdisciplinary paper focuses on the important aspects of science and technology related to new and existing energy resources and energy efficiency. Topics covered reflect the trend of current development in energy technology. | ||
| ENGEV544 | Environmental Technology Water and Wastewater 1 | 19A (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
| ENGEV545 | Environmental Technology Water and Wastewater 2 | 19B (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
| ENGME506 | Mechanical and Mechatronics Systems Analysis | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the principles of mechanical and mechatronics engineering analysis. | ||
| ENGME515 | CAD/CAM for Engineering | 19B (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
| ENGME540 | Finite Element Analysis | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers kinematics, momentum and variational formulation of particles, dynamics of rigid body system, vibration of linear-lumped-parameters system and dynamics of continuous systems. | ||
| ENGME555 | Advanced Control in Mechatronics | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper teaches students the advanced application of control in mechatronics. | ||
| ENGME557 | Robotics | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper teaches students the advanced mechatronics with applications to mobile and industrial robotic applications. | ||
| ENGME580 | Product Innovation and Development | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers modern aspects of product innovation and development. | ||
| ENGME585 | Industrial Technology and Innovation 1 | 19A (Hamilton) |
| Industrial Technology and Innovation explores the process of technological innovation in industry through readings, assignments, case studies and discussion sessions. It is interactive and draws upon student experiences from work and project experience. | ||
| ENGME586 | Industrial Technology and Innovation 2 | 19B (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
| ENGMP511 | Advanced Materials Properties and Performance | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper deals with advanced materials science knowledge and principles underlying materials behaviour and engineering. | ||
| ENGMP512 | Advanced Materials Manufacture | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper deals with advanced materials science knowledge and principles underlying materials engineering. It focuses on the relationships between processing conditions and microstructures of materials and major materials processing technologies. | ||
| ENGMP513 | Materials Performance in Service | 19B (Hamilton) |
| Students wll learn the importance of design to avoid fracture using fracture mechanics, advanced stress analysis includng plasticity and advanced fatigue, and creep behaviour. | ||
| ENGMP516 | Materials Characterisation | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the basic theory and use of advanced analytical techniques used in materials characterization using optical microscopy, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). | ||
Scholarships and prizes
Selected scholarships for Mechanical Engineering students.
New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.
Brian Perry Charitable Trust Undergraduate Scholarship in Science & Engineering Closed
For students who are enrolled in the second year of full-time study towards an undergraduate degree, in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Waikato. The scholarship will have a value of up to $5,000.
DairyNZ Masters Scholarship Closed
For students who are enrolled in the final year or have completed a Bachelors degree in Science, agricultural science, agricultural business or economics and are eligible to enrol in a masters degree at a New Zealand University. Up to three scholarships of $30,000 will be available each year + tuition fees.
Looking for more scholarships?
Practical experience
Work placements are a major feature of the Mechanical Engineering programme and you will complete 800 hours of relevant work experience during your degree.
Work placements are a major feature of the Mechanical Engineering programme and you will complete 800 hours of relevant work experience during your degree.
Our Cooperative Education Unit actively seeks and oversees your industrial work placement, ensuring a good fit for your area of study and career goals, and monitoring the quality of your work experience. They are the leader in New Zealand for co-operative education programmes, with an average of 350 students placed in the industry every year.
By the time you graduate you will have the credibility of paid experience to take to your interviews.
Subject links
Contacts
Faculty of Science & Engineering
Phone: +64 7 838 4625 / 0800 438 254
Email: science@waikato.ac.nz
Website: sci.waikato.ac.nz
Facebook: facebook.com/WaikatoScienceEngineering