Civil Engineering
The world needs competent and trained Civil Engineering professionals to address the increasing challenges in urban and rural facilities and infrastructure.
Civil engineers design and construct the fundamental requirements of society in key areas such as earthquake proofing, energy recovery, water/waste management, power generation, road networks, transport management, agriculture and forestry development.
As a Civil Engineering graduate from the University of Waikato you will have the practical and theoretical skills to help create, improve and protect our built and natural environments. You will be ready to meet the strong demand for your skills both in New Zealand and around the world.
You will gain the knowledge and expertise required to work as a professional civil engineer including skills in the following areas:
- Construction Engineering
- Structural Analysis
- Geotechnics and Geotechnical Engineering
- Water Engineering
- Mathematics, Computing and Modelling
- Project Management
- Structural Design
- Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Design
- Transport Engineering
- Environmental Engineering.
An important part of the Civil Engineering programme at the University of Waikato is supported work placements into relevant industries. This gives you the opportunity for paid work experience while exploring the field of Civil Engineering you could choose for your career, ie structural, water resources, transport, geotechnical or construction engineering.
You'll work on major research design projects, creating products with commercial applications, which are then showcased at our annual Oji Fibre Solutions Engineering Design Show. Importantly, there is also a focus on developing well-honed communication skills that are such a vital part of the profession.
Facilities
Students can work in specialised laboratories including the Large Scale Lab complex that features a suite of workshops and laboratories dedicated to engineering teaching and research, such as 3D printing, a mechanical workshop and computer labs with engineering design software.
Build a successful career
Civil engineers work in many fields, including structures and infrastructures, dams, bridges, gas and water supply systems, sewerage systems, transportation systems and roads and construction sector. These crucial facilities provide people with a reliable, safe, sustainable and modern environment to live in.
Key information
| Study Locations: | Hamilton, Tauranga Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info. |
|---|---|
| Area of Study: |
Study Civil Engineering in these qualifications
Study Civil Engineering as a specialisation of
Career opportunities
- Civil Engineer
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Structural Engineer
- Transport Engineer
- Water Engineer
- Construction Engineer and Manager
Study in Tauranga
Year 1 of the BE(Hons) in Civil Engineering can be completed in Tauranga. Years 2 and 3 of the degree need to be completed in Hamilton. Year 4 will be taught in Tauranga from 2023.
Papers
Available Civil Engineering papers
Year 1
Students must take the following papers: ENGEN101, ENGEN102, ENGEN103, ENGEN110, ENGEN111, ENGEN112, ENGEN170 and ENGEN180.
Year 2
Students must take the following papers: ENGCV212, ENGCV223, ENGCV231, ENGCV241, ENGCV251, ENGCV280, ENGEN201, ENGEN270 and ENGEN271.
If you are studying the Diploma in Engineering Professional Practice, concurrent with the BE(Hons), you must complete ENGEN272 (in place of ENGEN271).
Year 3
Students must take the following papers: ENGCV312, ENGCV323, ENGCV331, ENGCV351, ENGCV380, ENGEN301, ENGEN370, ENGEN371 and ENGEV341.
If you are studying the Diploma in Engineering Professional Practice, concurrent with the BE(Hons), you must complete ENGEN372 (in place of ENGEN371).
Year 4
Students must take the following papers: ENGCV580, ENGEN570 and ENGEN581.
Plus 45 points of electives from: ENGCV512, ENGCV513, ENGCV523, ENGCV531, ENGCV541, ENGCV551, ENGEN583, ENGEV541, ENGEV542 or ENGME540, of which at least 30 points must be from 500 level ENGCV coded papers.
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGEN101 | Engineering Mathematics 1A | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton), 21A (Tauranga) & 21B (Hamilton) |
| A study of the fundamental techniques of algebra and calculus with engineering applications. | |||
| ENGEN102 | Engineering Mathematics 1B | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton), 21B (Tauranga) & 21G (Hamilton) |
| A further study of the fundamental techniques of algebra and calculus with engineering applications. Includes an introduction to relevant statistical methods. | |||
| ENGEN103 | Engineering Computing | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton), 21A (Tauranga) & 21G (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces computer programming in languages such as Python. It provides the basis for the programming skills required in more advanced papers. | |||
| ENGEN110 | Engineering Mechanics | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton), 21B (Tauranga) & 21G (Hamilton) |
| Statics and dynamics of rigid bodies. Application of freebody diagrams and equations of equilibrium to calculate internal and external forces and moments on/in structures and mechanisms. Kinetics and kinematics of particles. Geometric properties of areas. | |||
| ENGEN111 | Electricity for Engineers | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton), 21A (Tauranga), 21B (Hamilton), 21B (Tauranga) & 21X (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 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton), 21A (Tauranga), 21B (Hamilton) & 21B (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 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton), 21A (Tauranga), 21B (Hamilton) & 21B (Tauranga) |
| Introduction to the role of engineering in society with a focus on sustainable development, data analysis, holistic systems thinking, and the future of work within a global and New Zealand context including an introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi. | |||
| ENGEN180 | Foundations of Engineering | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton), 21A (Tauranga), 21B (Hamilton) & 21B (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. | |||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGCV212 | Structural Engineering 1 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| Analysis of skeletal structural members, supports and connections subject to single and combined loading. Calculation of displacements (translations or rotations) and stresses both normal (direct) and shear stresses, in bars, beams and shafts and bearing stress. Use of Mohr's circle for stress transformation and its use in failure ... | |||
| ENGCV223 | Water Engineering 1 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| Basic principles of fluid statics and dynamics, including fluid viscosity, Bernoulli and mechanical energy equation, dimensional analysis, flow in pipes and channels and introduction to hydrology. | |||
| ENGCV231 | Geotechnical Engineering 1 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers basic concepts and principles governing the mechanical behaviour of soils, rocks and slopes, including the effective stress concept, shear strength of soils, and stability concepts. Field and laboratory work provide opportunity to learn practical skills and apply the knowledge gained. | |||
| ENGCV241 | Highways and Surveying | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| Introduces the principles and techniques of land surveying and the basic theories and design techniques in highway and pavement engineering. | |||
| ENGCV251 | Construction 1 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| An understanding of the properties, limitations, and selection of materials used in civil engineering construction is fundamental for a practising civil engineer. Hence, this paper covers in more detail the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of common civil materials such as concrete, timber, steel, polymers, and composi... | |||
| ENGCV280 | Civil Design Challenge 1 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| Civil design principles are applied to an open-ended design challenge. Design standards and calculations for timber structures are introduced, along with engineering drawings, construction and testing of structures. | |||
| ENGEN201 | Engineering Mathematics 2 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| Calculus of Several Variables and its Applications. Vector calculus (Green's, Gauss' and Stokes' theorems). Taylor's Theorem in n dimensions. Introduction to ordinary differential equations and methods to solve them. | |||
| ENGEN270 | Engineering and Business | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper focuses on empowering students to become “business savvy” and prepared to enter the workplace and solve real-world problems. Topics covered include; team formation, design thinking, Lean Canvas, project management, Agile, risk management, project finance, professional ethics, preparing for the workplace, and business... | |||
| ENGEN271 | Engineering Work Placement 1 | 0.0 | 21X (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. | |||
| ENGEN272 | Engineering Work Placement 1 | 30.0 | 21X (Hamilton) |
| First work placement for the DipEPP 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. | |||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGCV312 | Structural Engineering 2 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| Analysis of statically determinate and indeterminate structures including cables, arches, trusses and portal frames. Calculating load paths and influence line diagrams. Structural analysis methods including energy, displacement, force, and stiffness. Introduction to plastic theory and assumed mechanisms. | |||
| ENGCV323 | Water Engineering 2 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| Application of hydraulics and hydrology in water engineering such as design of water distribution systems, fundamentals of flow in open channels, design of hydraulic structures, fundamentals of surface water hydrology, rainfall-runoff models, analysis and modelling of hydrological processes, fundamentals of groundwater hydrology, d... | |||
| ENGCV331 | Geotechnical Engineering 2 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| Advanced course in geotechnical engineering including analysis and design of shallow and deep foundations, and retaining structures under a variety of conditions, includes a project based learning activity that reinforces threshold concepts and theory. | |||
| ENGCV351 | Construction 2 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| In this paper, students learn how to carry out structural analysis and design of steel and reinforced concrete structures. Lectures will furnish the theoretical background needed to analyse and design typical structural systems. Examples of design compliant to AS/NZS codes will be reviewed and discussed in class. The students will ... | |||
| ENGCV380 | Civil Design Challenge 2 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| In this paper, the students are tasked with the completion of an open-ended Civil Engineering project. Lectures will discuss different aspects of the design process, starting from advanced surveying and project briefs, constructability, risk quantification and management. All these aspects will be embedded in a group project activi... | |||
| ENGEN301 | Engineering Mathematics 3 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| Introduces numerical methods and statistical ideas relevant to Engineering. | |||
| ENGEN370 | Engineering and the Environment | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers sustainability in engineering design and renewable energy generation through the critical lens of environmental impact assessment, risk and resilience, sustainable infrastructure and development, material and energy flow analysis, emissions, carbon accounting and life cycle analysis. | |||
| ENGEN371 | Engineering Work Placement 2 | 0.0 | 21X (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. | |||
| ENGEN372 | Engineering Work Placement 2 | 30.0 | 21X (Hamilton) |
| Second work placement for the DipEPP 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. | |||
| ENGEN390 | Special Topics in Engineering 1 | 15.0 | 21X (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic supervised by a member of staff. | |||
| ENGEN391 | Special Topics in Engineering 2 | 15.0 | 21X (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic supervised by a member of staff. | |||
| ENGEV341 | Environmental Engineering 2 | 15.0 | 21B (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. | |||
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGCV506 | Civil Engineering Systems Analysis | 30.0 | 21A (Hamilton) & 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the essentials for Civil Engineering Analysis. | |||
| ENGCV512 | Advanced Structural Analysis and Design | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| Introduction to nonlinear methods of structural analysis including structural stability and structural dynamics. The paper will also cover the analysis and design of historical structures. | |||
| ENGCV513 | Earthquake Engineering and Design | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the design of civil engineering structures to withstand seismic events, including geology and geotechnical considerations, influence of foundations and soil structure interaction, structural typology for single and multi-level systems. | |||
| ENGCV523 | Advanced Hydrology and Marine Engineering | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers hydrologic and hydraulic modelling for civil engineering projects, including methodologies of hydrological data analysis, rainfall -runoff modelling, hydrologic and hydraulic flood routing, flood plain analysis and planning, and marine engineering. | |||
| ENGCV551 | Transportation and Advanced Surveying | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides necessary knowledge of acquisition, management, manipulation and analysis of data in civil engineering. Specific applications include advanced surveying, traffic engineering and transport planning. | |||
| ENGCV580 | Civil Design Challenge 3 | 30.0 | 21D (Hamilton) |
| Engineering design principles applied to a complex civil design challenge. Detailed considerations in the project to include using design standards, materials selection, life cycle costs, environmental impact, health and safety and risk assesssment. | |||
| ENGEN508 | Master's Capstone Project | 60.0 | 21X (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 and the Profession | 15.0 | 21D (Hamilton) |
| The roles and responsibilities of professional engineers are examined. Topics include; project management, leadership, negotiation, ethical responsibilities, legal duties, Treaty of Waitangi, intellectual property and professional communication. | |||
| ENGEN581 | Honours Research Project | 30.0 | 21D (Hamilton) & 21X (Hamilton) |
| Final year honours research project carried out on a topic assigned and supervised by a member of staff. | |||
| ENGEN583 | Special Topics in Engineering 3 | 15.0 | 21X (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic supervised by a member of staff. | |||
| ENGEN584 | Special Topics in Engineering 4 | 15.0 | 21X (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic supervised by a member of staff. | |||
| ENGEN585 | Special Topics in Engineering 5 | 15.0 | 21X (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic supervised by a member of staff. | |||
| ENGEN586 | Special Topics in Engineering 6 | 15.0 | 21X (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic supervised by a member of staff. | |||
| ENGEN587 | Directed Study 1 | 30.0 | 21X (Hamilton) |
| Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. | |||
| ENGEN588 | Directed Study 2 | 30.0 | 21X (Hamilton) |
| Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. | |||
| ENGEV541 | Advanced Water and Wastewater Engineering | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| This course covers advanced aspects of design and operation of unit processes in water and waste water treatment, and process modelling and simulation tools such as Sumo19 and Superpro Designer. | |||
| ENGEV542 | Waste Minimisation Engineering | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| Design of processes for the handling, recycling, reuse, treatment and disposal of domestic and industrial solid wastes including treatment plant sludges, assessment and modeling of gaseous emissions, odour, particulates, and air pollution control systems. | |||
| ENGME540 | Finite Element Analysis | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| Theory of finite elements analysis using variational methods. Numerical modelling for finding the stresses and displacements of bars, beams and plates, and the temperature distribution of 1D heat transfer. Matlab code development assignment for simpler problems and assignments using commercial software to solve more complicated pro... | |||
Scholarships and Prizes
Selected scholarships for Civil 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 School of Science or the School of Engineering at the University of Waikato. The scholarship will have a value of up to $3,000.
Looking for more scholarships?
Practical experience
Expand to read practical experience
Work placements are a major feature of the Civil Engineering programme and you will complete 800 hours of relevant work experience during your degree.
Our Work-Integrated Learning team actively seeks and oversees your work placement, ensuring a good fit for your area of study and career goals, and supporting you throughout your work experience.
By the time you graduate you will have the credibility of paid experience to take with you as you start your career.
Subject links
Contacts
School of Engineering
Phone:
Email: [email protected]
Website: eng.waikato.ac.nz
Facebook: facebook.com/WaikatoEngineering