The Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering provides a unique and stimulating learning and research environment.
Established in 1967, the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering has evolved alongside social and economic change over the decades, ensuring that our curicullum and values remain relevant to the engineering profession. Our undergraduate degree is accredited by both Engineering NZ and IChemE (Institute of Chemical Engineers), making the quality of our education internationally-recognised.
Chemical and Materials Engineering involves building and sustaining the world around us, as well as designing new materials for the future. Our department exposes students to a wide variety of viewpoints and hands-on teaching and learning styles, with academic staff that consistently rank amongst the top teachers in the faculty.
Our goal is to prepare and train you with the skills needed to be leaders of the future and solve real-world, multidisciplinary problems. We offer an undergraduate degree that uniquely integrates the core concepts underpinning both chemical/process engineering and materials engineering, making it a broader programme than traditional chemical engineering courses.
Our programmes are geared to equip graduates to establish themselves in a huge range of careers including the energy sector, minerals and metals, forestry, the food and dairy industries, environmental engineering, biotechnologies and nanomaterials, to name just a few. We also boast a diverse intake of students across our programmes, with a strong female representation at our department overall, at 30%.
The department has a strong international reputation for the quality of its research activities, offering doctoral and masters opportunities in a wide range of research fields.
Study options
Our department offers undergraduate specialisations in Chemical and Materials Engineering, as well as several postgraduate options.
Undergraduate study
You can pursue a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) specialising in Chemical and Materials Engineering.
- Find out more about undergraduate study in Chemical and Materials Engineering
- Chemical and Materials Engineering course schedule
Conjoint options are also available so you may combine your Engineering degree with a selection of other programmes.
Find out more about the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).
Postgraduate study
Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering in Plastics
You can pursue a PGCertEng specialising in Plastics.
This is the only specialisation available for this programme beyond a General Engineering option.
Find out more about the PGCertEng.
Postgraduate Certificate in Light Metals Reduction Technology
This is a globally-recognised, specialised programme aimed at those seeking progression into particular industry roles.
Find out more about the PGCertLMRTech.
Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering
You can pursue a PGDipEng in one of the following:
- Chemical and Materials Engineering
- Food Process Engineering
Find out more about the PGDipEng.
Master of Engineering
You can pursue a ME in Chemical and Materials Engineering.
Because this is a research programme, you may also explore different topics in the field, such as Food Process Engineering, but will still graduate with a Chemical and Materials Engineering specialisation.
Master of Engineering Studies
You can pursue a MEngSt in one of the following:
- Chemical and Materials Engineering
- Food Process Engineering
- Plastics
Find out more about the MEngSt.
Doctor of Philosophy
You can pursue a PhD in
Chemical and Materials Engineering.
Because this is a research programme, you may explore different topics in the field, such as Food Process Engineering, but will still graduate with a Chemical and Materials Engineering specialisation.