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. |
|---|---|
| Area of Study: |
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: ENGEN101, ENGEN102, ENGEN103, ENGEN111, ENGEN112, ENGEN170 and ENGEN180.
Plus 15 points of electives from: BIOMO101 or CHEMY102.
Year 2
Students must take the following papers: ENGCB280, ENGCV223, ENGCV231, ENGEN201, ENGEN270, ENGEN271, ENGEV241, ENGME221 and ENVPL200.
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: BIOMO203, CHEMY201, CHEMY202, 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: ENGEN570, ENGEN581 and ENGEV580.
Plus 45 points of electives from: ENGCB523, ENGCV523, ENGEV541 or ENGEV542.
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOMO101 | Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| An introduction to the central concepts of Molecular and Cellular Biology, including the ultrastructure and function of cells, the biochemical processes involved, and the role of DNA in cellular function, inheritance and evolution. | |||
| CHEMY102 | Chemical Reactivity | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| A theoretical and practical course covering aspects of physical and organic chemistry. This course is required for the chemistry major. | |||
| 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. | |||
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOMO203 | Microbiology | 15.0 | 21A (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 | 15.0 | 21B (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 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This course covers aspects of physical chemistry including thermodynamics and phase equilibria; chemical kinetics; conductance and electrochemistry. | |||
| ENGCB280 | Process Engineering Design 1 | 15.0 | 21B (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 | 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. | |||
| 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... | |||
| 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. | |||
| ENGEV241 | Environmental Engineering 1 | 15.0 | 21A (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 | 15.0 | 21A (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. | |||
| ENVPL200 | Environmental Planning | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper will introduce students to the nature of environmental planning and provide them with the knowledge and analytical skills they will need to understand the complex relationships between land, resources, and decision making in New Zealand and abroad. It will include discussions of contemporary issues such as climate change... | |||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGCB380 | Process Engineering Design 2 | 15.0 | 21B (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 | 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. | |||
| 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. | |||
| ENVPL301 | Planning for Sustainability | 15.0 | 21B (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 | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGCB523 | Advanced Energy Engineering | 15.0 | 21B (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. | |||
| 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. | |||
| 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. | |||
| 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. | |||
| ENGEV580 | Environmental Design Project | 30.0 | 21D (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 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 Environmental 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