KEY POINTS:
THE QUALIFICATION
Bachelor of Engineering (Civil): Environmental Engineering and Structural Engineering, University of Auckland
Phone: 09 3737599 ext 88120 or 0800 616263
Email: Engineering enquiries
Website: engineering.auckland.ac.nz
Course costs: $5589 tertiary fees plus $382.80 other fees.
Graduate salary: $40,000-$50,000
Environmental engineers are in huge demand as the world struggles with the harmful effects of human activity on the environment.
But those looking to get into this line of work can now go to the University of Auckland, where environmental engineering is offered as one of two streams within the civil engineering major.
The first year of the BE is compulsory and covers mathematical modelling, engineering mechanics, engineering design, materials science, electrical and digital systems, engineering computation and software development.
In year two, students specialise in one of eight majors, including civil and environmental engineering.
They also continue with compulsory papers such as technical communication for engineers and workshop practice.
Civil and environmental engineering students study the design, development and evaluation of structures, equipment and systems to provide practical solutions to problems caused by increasing consumption, waste and potential threats to biodiversity.
As well as learning about cleaning up pollution, they also learn about preventative alternatives such as effective wastewater treatment plants.
An important part of the degree is an 800-hour practical work experience requirement that can be done during summer breaks.
As well as NCEA University Entrance, school leaver applicants are graded on their best 80 level three credits.
Engineering applicants also need 18 level three credits in both calculus and physics.
There are equivalent requirements for students with other school leaver qualifications and special entry schemes for non-school leavers, Pacific Island and Maori applicants.
THE GRADUATE
Veronica Swamy
24
Environmental engineer for URS New Zealand Ltd, global engineering and environmental management consultancy.
Completed degree November, 2004
I work for URS in the water and waste engineering team, helping design waste water treatment and disposal systems. I started at URS as a summer intern in the geoscience group, then got a full-time job in the water and waste group in February 2005.
I'm currently working on a big project developing a satellite town in New Zealand. I'm designing the wastewater treatment and disposal, sorting out how to manage the wastewater for an estimated population. It's interesting to start from scratch.
When I started engineering, I intended doing chemical engineering, but quickly realised it was more about materials than chemistry so I switched to environmental engineering. The variety in environmental really appeals to me. No project is ever the same. The engineering degree developed my ability to think and problem solve. In environmental engineering that involves finding solutions for people to do things in a way that protects the environment.
University papers like hydraulics and wastewater engineering were really useful. So was professional development, which covered communications, report writing, financial accounting, project management and engineering ethics.
Work placement is really good because we are putting theory into practice. I learned about the importance of working in team, how a consultancy runs, time management and the need for good communication and paper trails.
Because URS is a big company, there are lots of opportunities to try different aspects of environmental engineering, as well as advance up the ladder. It also has a really good graduate and young professionals programme.
THE EMPLOYER
Tony Brown
URS New Zealand Human Resources Manager
URS has 280 staff in New Zealand and 1200 through Asia/Pacific. We recruit at degree level because the nature and complexity of our work needs that level of awareness. Our clients expect academic and technically sound proposals and services.
We look for people with a good broad understanding of their subject and the context in which they're applying their knowledge.
We look for personality, an inquiring mind, a proactive approach, leadership qualities and the ability to take responsibility. The degree offers fundamental knowledge that is then built on in the workplace.
The work placement approach works well. It is important students are given meaningful tasks as close as possible to their study so they see how it relates and how it fits in. We also try to ensure a student gets field work while with us. By watching field work they understand how things are done and where the data comes from that we use.
We had Veronica working at URS over summer and we got to know her as a person and she got an understanding of the kind of engineering she wanted to do. Most students come back to work for us as graduates. The challenge is to recruit enough to fulfill our graduate demands.
