Environmental Engineering
Study Environmental Engineering at the University of Waikato for a career where you'll make a lasting impact on society by helping to protect and enhance our natural and man-made environments, while enjoying excellent job prospects.
Environmental engineers work to protect water, air, soil and built environments. They evaluate and assess options, design equipment and systems, and develop regulations and controls, seek to solve issues of water quality, water supply, waste reduction and disposal, soil and air quality management, and noise.
As the world’s demand for materials, food and energy grows, so does the need for environmental engineers. Environmental Engineering graduates with strong technical and communication skills are in demand, in New Zealand and around the world.
During your degree you will learn how to identify, monitor and solve important problems associated with the environment, resource allocation and use, and sustainability. Our programme is multi-disciplinary, combining the fundamentals of engineering, science, mathematics, and computing, with the study of water resources and quality, earth and ocean environments, environmental planning, modelling and sustainability, process energy and management.
An important part of the Environmental 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 first-hand the field of Environmental Engineering you could choose for your career.
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. 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.
Key information
| Study Locations: | Hamilton, Tauranga Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info. |
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| Faculty: |
Study Environmental Engineering in these qualifications
Study Environmental Engineering as a specialisation of
Career opportunities
- Environmental Engineer
- Water and Sanitary Engineer
- Public/Environmental Health Engineer
- Infrastructure Engineer
- Sustainability Engineer
- Restoration Engineer
- Resource/Waste Management Engineer
Papers
Available Environmental Engineering papers
Year 1
Students must take the following papers: CHEMY102, ENGEN101, ENGEN102, ENGEN103, ENGEN112, ENGEN170 and ENGEN180.
Plus 15 points of electives from: BIOEB101, BIOEB102, CHEMY101, EARTH101, EARTH102, ENGEN110.
Year 2
Students must take the following papers: ENGCB280, ENGCV223, ENGCV231, ENGEN201, ENGEN270, ENGEN271, ENGEV241, ENGME221 and ENVPL201.
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: ENGCB380, ENGCV323, ENGCV331, ENGEN301, ENGEN370, ENGEN371 and ENGEV341.
Plus 30 points of electives from: BIOEB201, BIOEB202, BIOEB204, BIOMO203, CHEMY201, CHEMY202, CHEMY203, CHEMY204, EARTH211, EARTH221, EARTH231, EARTH241, EARTH251, ENGCV212, ENGCV251, ENGEN390 or ENVPL301.
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: ENGCB523, ENGEN570, ENGEN581, ENGEV541, ENGEV542 and ENGEV580.
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| BIOEB101 | Concepts of Biology | 20A (Hamilton) |
| An introduction to the foundations of biology, including the structure and functioning of cells, evolution, the origins and diversity of life, and a tour of the major forms of life and their defining characteristics. | ||
| BIOEB102 | Introduction to Ecology and Biodiversity | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (Tauranga) |
| An introduction to the principles of ecology and biodiversity. Topics include population, community and ecosystem ecology, conservation biology, and the structure, functioning and environmental responses of animals and plants. Examples will include New Zealand ecosystems and biota. | ||
| CHEMY101 | Structure and Spectroscopy | 20A (Hamilton) & 20C (Hamilton) |
| A theoretical and practical course covering aspects of analytical and inorganic chemistry. This course is required for the chemistry major. | ||
| CHEMY102 | Chemical Reactivity | 20B (Hamilton) |
| A theoretical and practical course covering aspects of physical and organic chemistry. This course is required for the chemistry major. | ||
| EARTH101 | Introduction to Earth System Sciences | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (Tauranga) |
| A lecture and laboratory paper that explores the interacting processes that affect the surface of the Earth, producing landforms and resources, with a focus on physical processes. Topics covered include coastal processes and hazards; climate change; weathering; erosion and mass movement; soil formation; the hydrological cycle; rive... | ||
| EARTH102 | Discovering Planet Earth | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper explores the Earth's interior and its dynamic interaction with the crust, including: the major rocks and minerals; interpreting the rock record and geologic maps; the geological time scale and fossils; plate tectonics; volcanism; earthquakes. | ||
| ENGEN101 | Engineering Mathematics 1A | 20A (Hamilton), 20A (Tauranga) & 20B (Hamilton) |
| A study of the fundamental techniques of algebra and calculus with engineering applications. | ||
| ENGEN102 | Engineering Mathematics 1B | 20B (Hamilton), 20B (Tauranga) & 20C (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 | 20A (Hamilton), 20A (Tauranga) & 20G (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 | 20A (Tauranga), 20B (Hamilton), 20B (Tauranga) & 20X (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. | ||
| ENGEN112 | Materials Science and Engineering | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (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 | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (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 | 20A (Hamilton) & 20A (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 | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| BIOEB201 | Principles of Evolution | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper examines the evolution and diversity of life. Topics include the history and philosophy of evolutionary thought, discussion of the mechanisms of evolution, present-day evidence of evolution in animals and plants; modern methods of analysing this evidence, and the evolutionary origins of current-day biodiversity. | ||
| BIOEB202 | Principles of Ecology | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (Tauranga) |
| This paper covers the principles of ecology, including adaptation to the environment, intra- and inter-specific interactions, community and ecosystem dynamics, and biogeography. Weekend field trips and computer laboratory work are essential elements. | ||
| BIOEB204 | Plant Structure and Function | 20B (Hamilton) |
| Plants are key regulators of ecosystem processes, and actively respond to and change their environments. This paper examines how plants have these effects by exploring plant structure, functioning, reproduction and adaptation to different environments. Lectures and laboratory work emphasise New Zealand examples and the identificati... | ||
| BIOMO203 | Microbiology | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper will focus on microbial cell structure, function, and metabolism. Content and context will be drawn from both human and environmental examples. Students will acquire skills in microbiological laboratory techniques, data collection, data analysis, and report presentation. This paper is required for the Molecular and Cellu... | ||
| CHEMY201 | Organic Chemistry | 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers aspects of organic chemistry including reaction mechanisms with carbanion and radical intermediates; mechanisms of reactions of carbonyl groups and multiple electrophilic substitutions of aromatic rings, also an introduction to carbohydrate chemistry is provided. | ||
| CHEMY202 | Physical Chemistry | 20B (Hamilton) |
| This course covers aspects of physical chemistry including thermodynamics and phase equilibria; chemical kinetics; conductance and electrochemistry. | ||
| CHEMY203 | Inorganic Chemistry | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers aspects of inorganic chemistry including structure and reactivity of the main-group elements; point-group symmetry; molecular orbital, crystal field theories; transition metal coordination complexes. | ||
| CHEMY204 | Analytical Chemistry | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers aspects of analytical chemistry including characterisation using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass-spectrometry (MS); qualitative and quantitative analysis of mixtures using gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) | ||
| EARTH211 | Earth Resources and Materials | 20A (Hamilton) |
| An introduction to the nature, composition and origin of Earth materials and resources. Topics covered include: mineral properties and their uses; process origins of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks; and the importance of Earth materials as a societal resource. The paper also encompasses the petrographic and analytical ch... | ||
| EARTH221 | Soil Science | 20B (Hamilton) |
| An introduction to the nature, formation, and classification of soils, their physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological properties, and issues of soil quality, land degradation and sustainable management. The paper also encompasses the properties, genesis, and distribution of the soils of New Zealand and their use. | ||
| EARTH231 | Water Resources, Weather and Climate | 20A (Hamilton) |
| Introduction to physical processes that influence the distribution of water in space and time within Aotearoa-New Zealand. Topics include mid-latitude weather and atmospheric precipitation processes that ultimately affect the availability of water across Aotearoa-New Zealand's diverse landscapes: a description of surface water reso... | ||
| EARTH241 | Oceanography | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (Tauranga) |
| This paper introduces students to the broad scale properties, issues, and research importance of the global ocean via the main disciplines of oceanography: particularly biological, chemical, geological and physical oceanography | ||
| EARTH251 | Spatial Analysis in Geosciences | 20A (Hamilton) |
| An introduction to quantitative spatial analysis in the geosciences, including production of maps and cross-sections of geomorphology and Earth materials from field and aerial image interpretation, use of 3D models of Earth materials, and an appreciation of volumes and stresses in the Earth's crust. | ||
| ENGCB280 | Process Engineering Design 1 | 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers mass balances around reactors and separation processes used by engineers in process design, CAD tools for process flow diagrams, pipe and instrumentation diagrams, and simple batch and continuous process modelling using software tools. | ||
| ENGCV212 | Structural Engineering 1 | 20A (Hamilton) |
| Calculation of displacements (translations or rotations) and stresses in skeletal structural members (bars, beams and shafts). Stresses in structural connections. Critical loads of struts under standard boundary conditions. Transformation of normal and shear stresses through use of Mohr's circle. | ||
| ENGCV223 | Water Engineering 1 | 20B (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 | 20A (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. | ||
| ENGCV251 | Construction 1 | 20A (Hamilton) |
| Underlying principles of crystalline structures and imperfections, diffusional processes, fracture, and binary phase diagrams related to material selection and construction needs are covered in this paper. It also covers in more detail the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of construction materials such as concrete, asp... | ||
| ENGEN201 | Engineering Mathematics 2 | 20B (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 | 20A (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 | 20X (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 | 20X (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. | ||
| ENGEV241 | Environmental Engineering 1 | 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers skills, knowledge and capability for environmental engineers so they can understand, investigate and evaluate environmental engineering problems and solutions. | ||
| ENGME221 | Engineering Thermodynamics | 20A (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. | ||
| ENVPL201 | Introduction to Resource Management | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper is designed to provide students with an introduction to law and policy relevant to the practice of environmental planning and management in New Zealand. | ||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| ENGCB321 | Thermal Engineering | 20B (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 | 20B (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 | 20A (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 | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the application of heat and mass transfer, and thermodynamics to chemical and physical separation process. | ||
| ENGCB380 | Process Engineering Design 2 | 20B (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. | ||
| ENGCV323 | Water Engineering 2 | 20A (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 | 20B (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. | ||
| ENGEN301 | Engineering Mathematics 3 | 20A (Hamilton) |
| Introduces numerical methods and statistical ideas relevant to Engineering. | ||
| ENGEN370 | Engineering and Environment | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers sustainability in engineering design within the context of environmental impact, risk and resilience, emissions and standards, carbon accounting and life cycle analysis. | ||
| ENGEN371 | Engineering Work Placement 2 | 20X (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 | 20X (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 | 20X (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic supervised by a member of staff. | ||
| ENGEN391 | Special Topics in Engineering 2 | 20X (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic supervised by a member of staff. | ||
| ENGEV341 | Environmental Engineering 2 | 20B (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. | ||
| ENVPL301 | Planning for Sustainability | 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper critically examines the concept of sustainability, discusses the various environmental pressures, such as climate change, and explores current best practice responses from global to local scales. | ||
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| ENGCB523 | Advanced Energy Engineering | 20B (Hamilton) |
| Application of engineering thermodynamics, process integration and pinch analysis to energy systems including renewable energy systems and energy storage, small and large industrial utility systems with and without cogeneration, distributed and smart energy systems, and green buildings. | ||
| ENGEN570 | Engineering and the Profession | 20D (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 | 20D (Hamilton) & 20X (Hamilton) |
| Final year honours research project carried out on a topic assigned and supervised by a member of staff. | ||
| ENGEN584 | Special Topics in Engineering 4 | 20X (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic supervised by a member of staff. | ||
| ENGEN585 | Special Topics in Engineering 5 | 20X (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic supervised by a member of staff. | ||
| ENGEN586 | Special Topics in Engineering 6 | 20X (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic supervised by a member of staff. | ||
| ENGEN587 | Directed Study 1 | 20X (Hamilton) |
| Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. | ||
| ENGEN588 | Directed Study 2 | 20X (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 | 20A (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 Biowin and Superpro Designer. | ||
| ENGEV542 | Waste Minimisation Engineering | 20A (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. | ||
| ENGEV580 | Environmental Design Project | 20D (Hamilton) |
| Engineering design principles are applied to a complex environmental engineering design challenge. Detailed considerations in the project are to include options evaluation, process selection, detailed design, environmental impact, H&S and risk. | ||
Scholarships and Prizes
Selected scholarships for Environmental 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 $3,000.
Looking for more scholarships?
Practical experience
Expand to read practical experience
Work placements are a major feature of the Environmental 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 350 students placed in industry every year.
By the time you graduate you will have the credibility of paid experience to take to your interviews.
Contacts
Faculty of Science & Engineering
Phone: +64 7 838 4625 / 0800 438 254
Email: contact-hecs@waikato.ac.nz
Website: sci.waikato.ac.nz
Facebook: facebook.com/WaikatoScienceEngineering