Course details

Summary

The Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(Hons)) focuses on how problems can be solved by using design and engineering processes. At every stage of your degree, you'll be involved in creating, designing and realising sophisticated engineering products.

As a Waikato engineering student you will also complete 800 hours of work experience – usually paid – with a company or organisation that suits your interests, and you’ll make valuable industry contacts which in many cases leads to part or full-time work.

Our Cooperative Education Unit actively seeks and oversees your industrial work placement, ensuring a good fit for your area of study and career goals.

Chemical and Biological Engineering

The Chemical and Biological Engineering programme at the University of Waikato combines the traditional discipline of chemical engineering with new and emerging specialisations in engineering to produce graduates who are better equipped to solve the world’s sustainability challenges.

Chemical and Biological Engineering uses process engineering, science and maths principles to transform chemical and biological materials into high value products and services, in a safe and cost-effective way.

Chemical and biological engineers are ‘think big’ professionals who work in cooperation with others to bring about the large-scale benefits of advances in chemistry, biotechnology, materials and environmental sustainability to the real world.

As a chemical or biological engineer, you could play a vital role in the creation and production of new medicines, nutritious foods, novel materials, new energy sources, better waste treatment methods and a sustainable global future.

Research into bioprocess engineering is a major part of the wider Chemical and Biological Engineering programme at the University of Waikato. Current research being carried out by the University's bioprocess engineering research group includes fermentation of functional foods, production of high value pharmaceuticals, and bioconversion of food waste into value-added chemicals. This research work involves strong industrial collaborations across a wide range of sectors, especially in food, agriculture and energy.

Career opportunities

• Biochemical Engineer
• Chemical Engineer
• Environmental Engineer
• Food Processing Engineer
• Process Design Engineer
• Product Development Engineer
• Quality Control Engineer
• Research and Development Engineer

BE(Hons) Majors:

• Civil Engineering
• Chemical and Biological Engineering
• Electronic Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Materials and Process Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Software Engineering

Entry criteria

For guaranteed entry you are expected to have studied the listed subjects at Level 3 NCEA, CIE AS, A Level or equivalent with certain levels of attainment.

• Chemistry - a minimum of 16 credits in NCEA at Level 3 in Chemistry
• Calculus - a minimum of 16 credits in NCEA at Level 3 in Mathematics with Calculus.
• Physics - a minimum of 14 credits in NCEA at Level 3 in Physics.

English language requirements:

IELTS (Academic) - 6.0 overall (no band less than 6.0); iBT (internet based) TOEFL - 79-80 with a score of 20 in writing; Pearson PTE Academic - 57 with no less than 57 for each communicative skill; Waikato Pathways - Successful completion of Level 7 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAAE) programme.