Postgraduate study in Sustainable Resource Recovery

What can you study in Sustainable Resource Recovery?

You can choose to complete a Master of Engineering Studies in Sustainable Resource Recovery, or if you'd like to pursue a shorter-term study option, you can undertake this as a specialisation as part of a Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering or Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering.

A specialisation in Sustainable Resource Recovery gives you exposure to our departmental expertise in areas such as advanced resource recovery technologies, bioprocessing, materials processing and characterisation, and process control and optimisation — all are skills valued in industry and research. Additional electives also cover relevant areas, including:

  • Process control
  • Microbial technology in bioprocess engineering
  • Industry 4.0 for chemical engineering
  • Food process engineering 
  • Applications in biomaterials

There is also a research component to your programme, which gives you the opportunity to undertake an open-ended project related to applications and engineering innovation in the field. This may be undertaken with research companies and industry professionals. This will help you build confidence in your transferable skills and enhances the theoretical knowledge from taught courses in the programme.

Entry requirements for Master of Engineering Studies in Sustainable Resource Recovery

Before applying for this programme, please ensure that you meet the entry requirements for the Master of Engineering Studies.

You must have completed a suitable undergraduate degree in Engineering, Science, or another relevant discipline.

Important requirements for international students

  • All international applicants should ensure that they meet all the programme’s entry requirements. You should only proceed with your application if your GPA matches or exceeds the requirements for your country listed in the engineering programme of your choice. Please do not apply if your GPA is below the minimum entry requirements, but consider the alternative study options that may be offered as a pathway into your preferred programme.
  • You are strongly advised to consider visa application times. Please be aware of the student visa processing times in your home country and submit the necessary documentation well ahead of the application deadlines. For processing times, contact the New Zealand High Commission/Embassy or your education agent.
  • Applicants for their second masters degree need to be aware that additional assessment requirements will take extra time. The Faculty of Engineering needs to assess your previous masters degree courses to ensure that they do not overlap with your selected courses in the University of Auckland programme. You must therefore allow more time for your application to be processed, and be aware that further documentation may be required. Submit your application well in advance of the deadline if this is your situation, as you may also need to take visa application times into account.

Subject structure

There are two taught options for the MEngSt in Sustainable Resource Recovery, a 120-point programme and a 180-point programme.

Master of Engineering Studies (research)

The following are compulsory courses needed to complete a 120-point, research-based programme:

90 points from one of the following:

Semesters One and Two

  • CHEMMAT 776 A&B Research Portfolio (90 points)
  • CHEMMAT 777 A&B Research Portfolio (90 points)

30 points from:

Semester One

  • CHEMMAT 763 Waste Reduction and Recycling Technologies (15 points)

Semester Two

  • CHEMMAT 758 Resource Recovery Technologies (15 points)
     

Master of Engineering Studies (taught)

30 points from the following:
Semesters One or Two
○ CHEMMAT 780 Research Project (30 points) 1 semester
○ CHEMMAT 780 A&B Research Project (30 points) 2 semesters

30 points from the following:
Semester One
○ CHEMMAT 763 Waste Reduction and Recycling Technologies (15 points)
Semester Two
○ CHEMMAT 758 Resource Recovery Technologies (15 points)

Electives:
For a 120-point programme, 60 points from the following:
For a 180-point programme, 120 points from the following:

Semester One
○ CHEMMAT 724 Advanced Materials Characterisation (15 points)
○ CHEMMAT 752 Process Dynamics and Control (15 points)
○ CHEMMAT 753 Biological Materials and Biomaterials (15 points)
○ CHEMMAT 756 Food Process Engineering (15 points)
○ CHEMMAT 760 Advanced Microbial Technology in Bioprocess Engineering (15 points)
○ CHEMMAT 772 Advanced Food Process Engineering (15 points) not offered in 2022
○ CHEMMAT 763 Waste Reduction & Recycling Technologies (15 points)
○ ENGGEN 732 Systems Thinking and Project Business Case (15 points) not offered in 2022
○ ENGGEN 769 Research Methods for Engineers (15 points) online only
Semester Two
○ CHEM 760 Advanced Green Chemistry (15 points)
○ CHEMMAT 725 Advanced Functional Materials (15 points)
○ CHEMMAT 755 Materials for Energy and Environmental Applications (15 points) not offered in 2022
○ CHEMMAT 757 Engineering Biotechnology (15 points)
○ CHEMMAT 758 Resource Recovery Technologies (15 points)
○ CHEMMAT 759 Industry 4.0 for Chemical Engineering (15 points)
○ CHEMMAT 773 Food Process Systems Engineering (15 points)
○ CHEMMAT 778 Dairy Process Engineering (15 points)
○ ENGGEN 769 Research Methods for Engineers (15 points) online and city campus
 

Where can postgraduate study in Sustainable Resource Recovery take you?

A current lack in specialised training in this field means that beyond your ability to produce novel solutions, you will also possess a unique point of difference to industry upon graduation. We also aim to ensure that our graduates are able to translate their advanced knowledge to actions that benefit industry and society, with interdisciplinary capabilities applicable to many fields, including food, waste management, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and more.

Help and advice

For general student enquiries, please contact the Student Hubs. If you would like further academic information, you can contact a postgraduate adviser.