Postgraduate 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.

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.

‘My Programme Requirements’ is a feature in Student Services Online that tells you what the academic requirements are for your programme.  

It shows you what courses you are enrolled in, what courses you have passed and what courses you can take to complete your degree. For more information, see How to view your programme requirements.

Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering

This is a flexible programme that can be structured around your engineering interests. Find out more

Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering

This is a 120-point fully taught programme. You will need to complete a minimum of 90-points of courses in Sustainable Resource Recovery from the electives listed under the Master of Engineering Studies below (excludes research projects). The remaining 30-points can also be selected from this list, or; you may choose up to 30-points of other appropriate courses, as approved by the Programme Director. Find out more

Master of Engineering Studies

The Master of Engineering Studies in Sustainable Resource Recovery is available in both 120-points and 180-points; both research and taught options.

Taught option

Core courses:

• CHEMMAT 763 Waste Reduction and Recycling Technologies (15 points) – Semester One
• CHEMMAT 758 Resource Recovery Technologies (15 points) – Semester Two
• CHEMMAT 780A/B Research Project (30 points) – Semester One and Two

Electives:
For the 120-point programme you will select 60 points from the following courses. For the 180-point programme you will select 120 points:

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 Processing Engineering (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 760 Advanced Microbial Technology in Bioprocess Engineering (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 772 Advanced Food Process Engineering (15 points)
• ENGGEN 732 Systems Thinking and Project Business Case (15 points)
• ENGGEN 769 Research Methods for Engineers Online (15 points)
• ENVENG 702 Engineering Decision Making in Aotearoa Online (15 points)
  

Semester Two

• CHEM 760 Advanced Green Chemistry (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 725 Advanced Functional Materials (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 757 Engineering Biotechnology (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)
• ENVENG 702 Engineering Decision Making in Aotearoa (15 points)

Not offered in 2025

• CHEMMAT 755 Materials for Energy and Environmental Applications (15 points)
  
  

Research option

Core courses (120 points):

• CHEMMAT 763 Waste Reduction and Recycling Technologies (15 points) – Semester One
• CHEMMAT 758 Resource Recovery Technologies (15 points) – Semester Two
• CHEMMAT 777 A/B Research Portfolio (90 points) – Semester One and Two
  

Core courses (180 points):

• CHEMMAT 763 Waste Reduction and Recycling Technologies (15 points) – Semester One
• CHEMMAT 758 Resource Recovery Technologies (15 points) – Semester Two
• CHEMMAT 776 A/B Research Portfolio (90 points) – Semester One and Two
  

Electives:
For the 180-point research degree you will also select 60-points elective courses (see above).

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.

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