Civil & Natural Resources

Civil and Natural Resources Engineering

FAQs

Am I eligible?

If you have completed a BE(Hons) degree you are eligible to apply for postgraduate study. (Note: 2nd Class honours or better is desirable, especially for Masters or PhD)

Can I come back for postgrad studies after working a few years?

YES! You can come back anytime. A few years of good work experience after completing your BE can help you determine exactly what you want to study. You are more focused, and it can help you find a supervisor. Some programmes (Fire, Transport, Construction Mngmt) also allow you to study part-time while still working.

What type of research should I do?

There are two general types of research: experimental or theoretical. Experimental research usually involves laboratory or field work, while theoretical research usually involves computer modelling and/or analytical methods.

I have a job but I want to do postgraduate study...

You should discuss this with your company or organisation. They may hold your position open for you or may even support you during your studies (especially if you study topics of interest to them). Some programmes can also be studied part-time while working.

Are there ways I can earn money to help fund my studies?

There are 2 common ways you can receive funding...

  1. Scholarship: You should apply for any relevant scholarships. Information can be obtained from the University Registry webpages. There are also specialised scholarships available in the Department.
  2. Teaching Assistant: At the start of each year, you can apply for teaching assistant positions. These involve helping coordinate courses, run laboratories, tutorial sessions, or marking undergraduate assignments. Students can earn up to $3000 annually this way.

Does postgradute study increase my job prospects?

Many employers not only recognise but seek out the skills gained by completing a postgraduate degree. These include: the ability to understand more advanced material, technical, writing and management skills; and initiative to complete a research project. There is a move worldwide to make the master's degree the entry level qualification to the profession, so a postgraduate degree will certainly enhance your ability to gain employment offshore in the future.

Also, postgraduate study can be used as partial fulfilment for the professional experience requirements for IPENZ membership.

What Fields of study are available?

Departmental staff are active in both theoretical and experimental research in a wide range of fields. Available for study are:

Graduate level courses are offered in a variety of research subjects. The courses vary from year to year and specific details may be obtained from the Postgraduate Secretary. Courses may also be taken in other departments.