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Engineering First Year

08 November 2023

UC's Engineering First Year will give you a solid foundation in engineering processes, mathematics, physics, and computer science. We offer a flexible Engineering First Year where you can keep a variety of discipline options open for your next three years of study. Learn more about our Engineering First Year.

HOW TO APPLY

‌The Engineering First Year will provide you with a solid foundation in engineering processes, mathematics, physics, and computer science.

At UC, we offer a flexible Engineering First Year where you can keep a variety of discipline options open for your next three years of study. There are opportunities to further explore the engineering disciplines throughout your First Year including information evenings, lab tours, and more.

Engineering First Year students are supported by our student-led, Faculty-enabled, peer mentoring programme – ENGMe! You will be assigned a peer mentoring group, led by a current 2nd- 4thYear Engineering student who has successfully ‘been there and done that’, and is the perfect place to learn tips and tricks, ask questions, seek advice, and meet new people.

Entry to the First Year

Studying the Engineering First Year is possible for all students who meet theentry requirements. If you do not meet these requirements, there arealternative pathways, these are outlined below.

The سԹ does not use NCEA rank scores.

Engineering First Year Courses

The required courses for a standard Engineering First Year depend on the engineering discipline(s) you wish to study in the Specialist (2nd– 4th) Years. The final semester of the standard Engineering First Year requires full time study (4 courses = 60 points).

TheEngineering First Year Required Courses Chartoutlines which courses are required for each of the engineering disciplines.

If you are required to complete Summer School courses as part of your Engineering First Year, please checkavailable courses.

If you are unsure which elective course(s) to take as part of your Engineering First Year, have a look at our list of Recommended Elective Courses below.

Recommended electives by discipline

All Engineering disciplines
COURSESEMESTERDESCRIPTION
S1Strengthening Communities through Social Innovation
CULT114/MAOR108S2Aotearoa - Introduction to New سԹTreaty Society
S1 & S2Introduction to Microeconomics
S1 & S2Introduction to Macroeconomics
S2Spark! How & What People Learn
ENGL117/WRIT101S1 & S2Writing for Academic Success
MAOR165S1 & S2Tuakiri: Culture and Identity
S1 & S2Fundamentals of Management
S1 & S2Principles of Marketing
SCIM101S2Science, Māori and Indigenous Knowledge
SENS101S1Introduction to the Principles of Concepts of Sustainability
S1 & S2Statistics 1
TREO110S1 & S2Te Ngao Tu: Conversational Māori for Absolute Beginners
Chemical and Process Engineering
COURSESEMESTERDESCRIPTION
S1Cellular Biology and Biochemistry
S2Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
S2Structure and Reactivity
S2Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2)
PROD131S2Introduction to Formulation Science
Civil Engineering / Natural Resources Engineering
COURSESEMESTERDESCRIPTION
S2Structure and Reactivity
ENVR101S1Introduction to Environmental Science
S1 & S2Forests and Societies
S1 & S2Forests of the World
S1Trees, Forest and the Environment
S2Trees in the Landscape
S2Forest Growth and Measurements
S1Commercial Aspects of Forestry
S2Global Environmental Change
Not offered in 2022Physical Geography: Earth, Ocean, Atmosphere
S1People, Places and Environments
S1Planet Earth: An Introduction to Geology
S2Geohazards
S2The Dynamic Earth System
S2Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2)
PROD131S2Introduction to Formulation Science
SPCO126S1Land Journeys and Ethics
Forest Engineering
COURSESEMESTERDESCRIPTION
S2Structure and Reactivity in Chemistry and Biochemistry
ENVR101S1Introduction to Environmental Science
S1 & S2Forests and Societies
S1 & S2Forests of the World
S1Trees, Forest and the Environment
S2Trees in the Landscape
S2Forest Growth and Measurements
S1Commercial Aspects of Forestry
S2Global Environmental Change
Not offered in 2022Physical Geography: Earth, Ocean, Atmosphere
S1People, Places and Environments
S1Planet Earth: An Introduction to Geology
S2Geohazards
S2The Dynamic Earth System
S2Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2)
Mechanical Engineering
COURSESEMESTERDESCRIPTION
S2Human Biology
S2Structure and Reactivity
S2Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2)
PROD111S2Materials Science for Design
PROD121S2The Game Development Process
SPCO104S2Anatomy and Physiology
Mechatronics Engineering
COURSESEMESTERDESCRIPTION
S2Human Biology
S2Introduction to Computer Science
DIGI101/COSC101S1Working in a Digital World
Not offered in 2022Computers, Artificial Intelligence, and the Information Society
S2Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2)
S2Materials Science for Design
PROD121S2The Game Development Process
Software Engineering / Computer Engineering / Electrical & Electronic Engineering
COURSESEMESTERDESCRIPTION
S2Introduction to Computer Science -Compulsory for Software Engineering
DIGI101/COSC101S1Working in a Digital World
Not offered in 2022Computers, Artificial Intelligence, and the Information Society
S1 & S2Business Information Systems and Technology
S1Introduction to Programming with Databases
MATH120S2Discrete Mathematics -Compulsory for Software Engineering
S2Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2)
S2The Game Development Process
Keeping a Computer Science major (BSc) open as an option
COURSESEMESTERDESCRIPTION
S1Working in a Digital World
S2Introduction to Computer Science
S2Discrete Mathematics
PHYS102S2Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2)
S1 & S2Statistics 1

Check with theScience Kaitoko (First Year student advisors)for this major and appropriate courses.

Keeping Product Design (BProdDesign) open as an option

COURSESEMESTERDESCRIPTION
S1Cellular Biology and BiochemistryChemical Formulation Design major
S2Ecology, Evolution and ConservationChemical Formulation Design major
S2Structure and ReactivityChemical Formulation Design major or Industrial Product Design technical elective
S2Introduction to Computer ScienceApplied Immersive Game Design major or Industrial Product Design technical elective
MGMT100S1 & S2Fundamentals of ManagementAll BProdDesign majors
MKTG100S1 & S2Principles of MarketingAll BProdDesign majors
S2Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2)Chemical Formulation Design major or Industrial Product Design technical elective
S2Materials Science for DesignIndustrial Product Design major
S2The Game Development ProcessApplied Immersive Game Design major
PROD131S2Introduction to Formulation ScienceChemical Formulation Design major
Download our enrolment guide

Guide to Enrolment - Engineering First Year (PDF, 165KB, 4 pages)

Download (application/pdf, 165 KB)
Download
Alternative Engineering First Year Options

Direct Entry and Modified Engineering First Year

If you have takenSTAR MATH199: Advancing in Mathematical Sciences, or equivalent course(s) at another tertiary institution and you achieve excellent NCEA, IB, or CIE results in relevant subjects at aNZ high school, you may be considered for Direct Entry to the 2nd Year of the BE(Hons), or a modified Engineering first year with acceleration in mathmatics

If you have not taken STAR MATH199 and achieve excellent NCEA, IB, or CIE results in relevant subjects at a NZ high school, you may be eligible to apply for a Modified Engineering First Year.

To be considered for a Modified Engineering First Year, you should be expecting to achieve at the following level:

STARMATH199- Advancing in Mathematical Sciences at سԹ (or equivalent courses at another tertiary institution);

AND EITHER:

A. NCEA:You must have achieved at least 20 credits, with an 'excellence' endorsement in both Physics and Chemistry;OR

B. International Baccalaureate:Scores of 7 HL in each of Physics and Chemistry;OR

C. Cambridge International Examination:An A grade in A Level in both Physics and Chemistry.

Consideration for direct entry will be on a case-by-case basis.

Expression of Interest 2025

If you think you may be eligible for studying a ModifiedFirst Year or Direct Entry to Second Year, submit anexpression of interest form (see below) to the Faculty of Engineering Student Advisors. When your results become available in January, the Associate Dean (Academic: Engineering First Year) will consider the best study path for you and inform you of your options.

Direct entry to Second Year or Modified First Year- Expression of interest 2025

Two-year Pathway for Engineering First Year

You may be required to complete your EngineeringFirst Year over two years of study if you do not have therequired background knowledge or if you fail some courses in your first attempt.

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

Introductory courses are all offered in the first semester of the year soit is possible to complete your Engineering First Year in one year of study. However, you may have to complete your Engineering First Year over summer school or over two years because:

  • The introductory course MATH101 must be taken IN ADDITION to the eight required Engineering First Year courses for your chosen discipline(s).
  • Summer school options vary from year to year. Find out more about what is offered during theSummer Programme.
  • If you need to take all three introductory courses, you are advised to spread your learning over two years of study. You will need to take some additional courses to make your coursework full-time. Contact theFuture Student Advisorsfor advice.

Science Headstartcourses can be taken during the summer before Semester One starts.

Engineering First Year at another NZ university

It is possible to take an equivalent Engineering First Yearyear at another NZ university for some engineering disciplines. Your application for entry to the 2nd Year at UC Engineering is considered in the same way as students who have completed their Engineering First Year. Contact aStudent Advisorif you have questions.

Pathways from a NZ Polytechnic

BEngTech

If you have completed a Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering from aNZ tertiary institution, you can apply for entry to theBE(Hons) in Civil, Natural Resources, Mechanical or Electrical and Electronic Engineering as appropriate. You will be considered for 2nd Year if you:

  • have a B+ average, or better, in your BEngTech
  • passand(Civil, Natural Resources or Mechanical) or(Electrical and Electronic Engineering) with a B average, or better, during the summer prior to beginning the 2nd Year

If you are granted entry to the2nd Year, you may be considered for exemption from individual courses depending on your background and experience. Note, this is at the discretion of the relevant department and is considered on a case-by-case basis only after admission to the programme.

NZDE

If you have completed a New سԹDiploma in Engineering in Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering from aNZ tertiary institution with a B+ average across all courses and an A- or better in a Level 5 Mathematics paper, you will be considered for a Modified Engineering First Year for Civil, Natural Resources, Mechanical or Electrical and Electronic Engineering as appropriate, as follows:

Semester 2

  • COSC131
  • (Civil, Natural Resources or Mechanical) or an elective course (Mechatronics or Electrical and Electronic only)

Summer School

  • (Civil, Natural Resources, Mechanical or Mechatronics) or(Electrical and Electronic only)

On completion of the above courses, you will be considered for entry to the 2nd Year in the same manner as all other 2nd Year applicants, ie ranked by Grade Point Average (GPA).

If you are granted entry to the 2nd Year, you may be considered for exemption from individual courses depending on your background and experience. Note, this is at the discretion of the relevant department and is considered on a case-by-case basis only after admission to the programme.

Direct Entry with a BSc

Chemical and Process Engineering - Direct Entry to 3rd Year

Subject to the approval of the Associate Dean (Academic: Engineering and Forestry), in order to be considered for entry to the 3rd Year, a student applying with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) is expected to have:

  • an appropriate major for the specialisation they wish to study (an appropriate major for Chemical and Process Engineering would be Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Physics).
  • a B grade average, and
  • at least 200-level Mathematics

With this option, a student has the opportunity to gain a double degree (BSc and BE(Hons)) in five years.

For more information, contact:

Electrical and Electronic Engineering - direct entry to 3rd Year

Subject to the approval of the Associate Dean (Academic: Engineering and Forestry), in order to be considered for entry to the 3rd Year, a student applying with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) is expected to have:

  • an appropriate major for the specialisation they wish to study (an appropriate major for Electrical and Electronic Engineering would be Mathematics or Computer Science).
  • a B grade average
  • at least 200-level Mathematics

Additional papers at the 200 or 300 level in Management or Accounting and Information Systems would enhance your application.

With this option, a student has the opportunity to gain a double degree (BSc and BE(Hons)) in five years.

For more information, contact:

Ready to start your engineering journey?

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