Materials and Process Engineering
By studying Materials and Process Engineering at the University of Waikato, you will learn how to add value to raw materials used to manufacture a number of useful products, while minimising waste. These products can be as varied as dietary formulae, foods, ceramics that can withstand high temperatures, new metal alloys, pharmaceuticals, laminated boards, functional proteins, and composites.
At the University of Waikato you will have the opportunity to explore the key, over-lapping disciplines of materials engineering and process engineering.
Materials engineers make critical decisions in selecting and developing the best materials for a particular purpose. As a materials engineer you could work on a number of diverse projects, including understanding the properties and uses of wood and steel, designing and constructing new filters for sewage treatment, and providing new materials for the energy industry.
Process engineers make critical decisions in the processes and utilities required to manufacture a product. As a process engineer you could work on converting trees into paper and fibre board, iron sand into steel, effluent into drinkable water and producing solar panels for electricity generation.
An important part of the Materials and Process 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 Materials and Process 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.
At Waikato the Materials and Process Engineering programme is fully accredited by Engineering New Zealand (formerly IPENZ); meaning your degree is internationally recognised and you can work just about anywhere in the world.
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 Location: | Hamilton |
|---|---|
| Area of Study: |
Study Materials and Process Engineering in these qualifications
Study Materials and Process Engineering as a specialisation of
Career opportunities
- Energy Efficiency Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Materials Engineer (plastics, composites, metallurgy)
- Process Design Engineer
- Products/process Development Engineer
Papers
Available Materials and Process Engineering papers
Year 1
Students must take the following papers: CHEMY101, ENGEN101, ENGEN102, ENGEN103, ENGEN110, ENGEN112, ENGEN170 and ENGEN180.
Year 2
Students must take the following papers: ENGCB223, ENGCB224, ENGCB280, ENGEN201, ENGEN270, ENGEN271, ENGME221, ENGMP211 and ENGMP213.
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: ENGCB324, ENGCB380, ENGEN301, ENGEN370, ENGEN371, ENGMP311 and ENGMP313.
Plus 30 points of electives from: CHEMY203, CHEMY204, ENGME280, ENGCB321, ENGCB322, ENGCB323, ENGCV323, ENGEN390, ENGEV341 or ENGME352.
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: ENGCB580, ENGEN570, ENGEN581 and ENGMP512.
Plus 30 points of electives (with no more than one 300 level paper) from: ENGCB321, ENGCB322, ENGCB323, ENGCV323, ENGEV341, ENGCB521, ENGCB523, ENGEN585, ENGEV541, ENGEV542, ENGME580, ENGME585, ENGME586, ENGMP511 or ENGMP513.
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | ||
| 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), 20G (Hamilton) & 20X (Tauranga) |
| 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) & 20X (Tauranga) |
| 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) & 20X (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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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); qualitative and quantitative analysis of mixtures using gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The use of statistical methods in analytical chemistry will also be covered. | ||
| ENGCB223 | Fluid Mechanics | 20B (Hamilton) |
| Basic principles of fluid statics and dynamics, including fluid viscosity, Bernoulli and mechanical energy equation, momentum analysis, dimensional analysis, flow in pipes, ducts and channels, and external flow over objects. | ||
| ENGCB224 | Heat and Mass Transfer | 20B (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. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 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) & 20X (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. | ||
| 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. | ||
| ENGME280 | Design and Manufacturing 1 | 20B (Hamilton) |
| The paper focuses on the principles of fundamental manufacturing processes and engineering design methods. Practical aspects of selected major manufacturing processes via workshop and practical sessions give students the opportunities to build up their practical skills and apply their theoretical knowledge to solving practical prob... | ||
| ENGMP211 | Materials 1 | 20A (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 | 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. | ||
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... | ||
| 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. | ||
| ENGME352 | Control and Applications | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper teaches students the theory and application of control in mechanical and electrical systems. This paper covers the introduction of s-domain and plane, open and closed-loop control, PID control, digital control, root locus and frequency response analysis. | ||
| ENGMP311 | Materials 2 | 20B (Hamilton) |
| It will develop understanding of the relationship between material structure, processing and behaviour to support engineering of materials and engineering with materials. | ||
| ENGMP312 | Materials Manufacture | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper deepens the understanding of students on the relationships between processing conditions, microstructure and properties of materials manufactured via major materials processing technologies including solidification methods, ceramic processing, metallic powder consolidation, and fabrication of composite materials. The pap... | ||
| ENGMP313 | Mechanics of Materials 2 | 20B (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 | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the fundamentals of process control, and introduces advanced process control strategies. | ||
| 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. | ||
| ENGCB580 | Process Engineering Design Project | 20D (Hamilton) |
| This paper will cover various aspects of biochemical engineering used in producing biologically derived products including fermentation, downstream processing, and meat processing. | ||
| ENGEN508 | Master's Capstone Project | 20X (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 | 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. | ||
| ENGEN583 | Special Topics in Engineering 3 | 20X (Hamilton) |
| An independent theoretical literature or experimental investigation of an engineering topic 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 Sumo19 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. | ||
| ENGME580 | Product Innovation and Development | 20A (Hamilton) |
| ENGME580 teaches students the innovation and product development process; levels of innovation, how to screen ideas, Intellectual Property and how to develop a Business Plan. Students will be required to start with a basic product brief, produce a product idea, design and develop a prototype and 'pitch' it to 'investors'. | ||
| ENGME585 | Industrial Technology and Innovation 1 | 20A (Hamilton) |
| ENGME585 with ENGME586 are interdisciplinary courses to help students understand what is involved in technology innovation and management through readings, assignments and discussion sessions. It is designed to be interactive and will draw upon students' experiences derived from industrial placements and/or involvement with a techn... | ||
| ENGME586 | Industrial Technology and Innovation 2 | 20B (Hamilton) |
| ENGME585 with ENGME586 are interdisciplinary courses to help students understand what is involved in technology innovation and management through readings, assignments and discussion sessions. It is designed to be interactive and will draw upon students' experiences derived from industrial placements and/or involvement with a techn... | ||
| ENGMP506 | Materials and Process Systems Analysis | 20A (Hamilton) & 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers mass and heat transfer, thermodynamics, materials (including metal, polymer and composites) processing and the relationship between microstructure and properties, and bioprocessing and transformation. | ||
| ENGMP512 | Advanced Materials Manufacture | 20A (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. | ||
| ENGMP516 | Materials Characterisation | 20B (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 Materials and Process 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.
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.
Energy Education Trust Undergraduate Scholarship Closed
For students who are enrolled full-time at any level including) first and honours year of relevant degree and are undertaking study in the fields of science, engineering, economics, or related fields with specific interests in energy matters in New Zealand. The Scholarship will have a value of $5,000.
Looking for more scholarships?
Practical experience
Expand to read practical experience
Work placements are a major feature of the Materials and Process 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: contact-hecs@waikato.ac.nz
Website: eng.waikato.ac.nz
Facebook: facebook.com/WaikatoEngineering