Program Overview

University of Canterbury Engineering Program

The University of Canterbury offers a comprehensive engineering program designed to provide students with a solid foundation in engineering processes, mathematics, physics, and computer science. The program is flexible, allowing students to keep various discipline options open for their next three years of study.

Engineering First Year

The Engineering First Year program is available to all students who meet the entry requirements. If students do not meet these requirements, alternative pathways are available. The University of Canterbury does not use NCEA rank scores for admission.

Entry to the First Year

To study the Engineering First Year, students must meet the entry requirements. If they do not, alternative pathways are outlined below.

Engineering First Year Courses

The required courses for a standard Engineering First Year depend on the engineering discipline(s) the student wishes to study in the Specialist (2nd 4th) Years. The Engineering First Year Required Courses Chart outlines which courses are required for each of the engineering disciplines.

Recommended Electives by Discipline

The following are recommended elective courses for each engineering discipline:

• All Engineering Disciplines:
  • CHCH101 - Strengthening Communities through Social Innovation
  • CULT114 / MAOR108 - Te Patu a Maui : The Treaty of Waitangi - facing and overcoming colonisation
  • ECON104 - Introduction to Microeconomics
  • ECON105 - Introduction to Macroeconomics
  • EDUC101 - Spark! The Art & Science of Learning
  • ENGL117 / WRIT101 - Writing for Academic Success
  • MAOR165 - Tuakiri: Culture and Identity
  • MGMT100 - Fundamentals of Management
  • MKTG100 - Principles of Marketing
  • SCIM101 - Science, Mori and Indigenous Knowledge
  • SENS101 - Introduction to the Principles and Concepts of Sustainability
  • STAT101 - Statistics 1
  • TREO110 - Te Ngao Tu: Conversational Mori for Absolute Beginners
• Chemical and Process Engineering:
  • BIOL111 - Cellular Biology and Biochemistry
  • BIOL112 - Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
  • CHEM112 - Structure and Reactivity in Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • PHYS102 - Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2)
  • PROD131 - Introduction to Formulation Science
• Civil Engineering:
  • CHEM112 - Structure and Reactivity
  • ENVR101 - Introduction to Environmental Science
  • FORE111 - New Zealand Forests and Society
  • FORE131 - Trees in the Landscape
  • FORE141 - Forest Growth and Measurements
  • FORE151 - Commercial Aspects of Forestry
  • GEOG106 - Global Environmental Change
  • GEOG110 - People, Places and Environments
  • GEOL101 - Building Planet Earth: Fundamentals of Earth Science
  • GEOL102 - Environmental Earth System Science
  • PHYS102 - Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2)
  • PROD131 - Introduction to Formulation Science
  • SPRT126 - Land Journeys and Ethics
• Forest Engineering:
  • CHEM112 - Structure and Reactivity in Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • ENVR101 - Introduction to Environmental Science
  • FORE111 - New Zealand Forests and Society
  • FORE131 - Trees in the Landscape
  • FORE141 - Forest Growth and Measurements
  • FORE151 - Commercial Aspects of Forestry
  • GEOG106 - Global Environmental Change
  • GEOG110 - People, Places and Environments
  • GEOL101 - Building Planet Earth: Fundamentals of Earth Science
  • GEOL102 - Environmental Earth System Science
  • PHYS102 - Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2)
• Mechanical Engineering:
  • PHYS101 - Engineering Physics A: Mechanics, Waves, Electromagnetism and Thermal Physics
  • PROD111 - Materials Science for Design
  • PROD131 - Introduction to Formulation Science
  • COSC122 - Introduction to Computer Science
  • FORE111 - New Zealand Forests and Society
  • CHCH101 - Engaging Communities through Social Innovation
  • TREO110 - Te Ngao Tu: Conversational Mori for Absolute Beginners
• Mechatronics Engineering:
  • BIOL116 - Human Biology
  • COSC122 - Introduction to Computer Science
  • DIGI101 / COSC101 - Working in a Digital World
  • DIGI102 - Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Ethics
  • PHYS102 - Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2)
  • PROD111 - Materials Science for Design
  • PROD121 - The Game Development Process
• Software Engineering / Computer Engineering / Electrical & Electronic Engineering:
  • COSC122 - Introduction to Computer Science
  • DIGI101 / COSC101 - Working in a Digital World
  • DIGI102 - Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Ethics
  • INFO123 - Business Information Systems and Technology
  • INFO125 - Introduction to Programming with Databases
  • MATH120 - Discrete Mathematics
  • PHYS102 - Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2)
  • PROD121 - The Game Development Process
• Keeping a Computer Science major (BSc) open as an option:
  • COSC101 - Working in a Digital World
  • COSC122 - Introduction to Computer Science
  • MATH120 - Discrete Mathematics
  • PHYS102 - Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2)
  • STAT101 - Statistics 1
• Keeping Product Design (BProdDesign) open as an option:
  • BIOL111 - Cellular Biology and Biochemistry (Chemical Formulation Design major)
  • BIOL112 - Ecology, Evolution and Conservation (Chemical Formulation Design major)
  • CHEM112 - Structure and Reactivity (Chemical Formulation Design major or Industrial Product Design technical elective)
  • COSC122 - Introduction to Computer Science (Industrial Product Design technical elective)
  • MGMT100 - Fundamentals of Management (All BProdDesign majors)
  • MKTG100 - Principles of Marketing (All BProdDesign majors)
  • PHYS102 - Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2) (Chemical Formulation Design major or Industrial Product Design technical elective)
  • PROD111 - Materials Science for Design (Industrial Product Design major)
  • PROD121 - The Game Development Process
  • PROD131 - Introduction to Formulation Science (Chemical Formulation Design major)

Alternative Engineering First Year Options

Direct Entry and Modified Engineering First Year

Students who have taken the STAR course MATH199/198 or equivalent courses at another tertiary institution and achieve excellent NCEA, IB, or CIE results in relevant subjects at a NZ high school may be considered for Direct Entry to the 2nd Year of the BE(Hons) or a modified Engineering first year with acceleration in mathematics.

Modified 1st Year

Students who have taken STAR MATH199/198 at the University of Canterbury (or equivalent courses at another tertiary institution) only may be considered for a Modified Engineering First Year.

Expression of Interest

Students who think they may be eligible for studying a Modified First Year or Direct Entry to Second Year should submit an expression of interest form to the Faculty of Engineering Student Advisors.

Foundation Pathway for Engineering First Year

If students do not have the entrance requirements for BE(Hons) in Maths, Physics, and/or Chemistry, they may be required to take one or more introductory courses to build up their knowledge before attempting the following courses:

• CHEM114
• EMTH117
• PHYS111 Introductory courses are all offered in the first semester of the year, so it is possible to complete the Engineering First Year in one year of study. However, students may have to complete their Engineering First Year over summer school or over two years.

Engineering First Year at Another NZ University

It is not possible to take an equivalent Engineering First Year at another NZ university for engineering disciplines at UC. Entry will be a modified first year engineering programme in the first instance. Depending on prior academic history, a modified programme may be able to be completed in a single semester of study.

Pathways from a NZ Polytechnic

BEngTech

If students have completed a Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering from a NZ tertiary institution, they can apply for entry to the BE(Hons) in Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical and Electronic Engineering as appropriate. They will be considered for 2nd Year if they:

• have a B+ average, or better, in their BEngTech
• pass EMTH119 and ENGR102 (Civil or Mechanical) or PHYS102 (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) with a B average, or better, during the summer prior to beginning the 2nd Year

NZDE

If students have completed a New Zealand Diploma in Engineering in Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering from a NZ tertiary institution with a B+ average across all courses and an A- or better in a Level 5 Mathematics paper, they will be considered for a Modified Engineering First Year for Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical and Electronic Engineering as appropriate.