Courses - Faculty of Engineering
Chemical and Materials Engineering
Stage I
Materials of the Modern World
Every aspect of daily living is influenced in some way by the materials that surround us. Ceramics, metals, polymers, and composites; each has its own properties which have, over time, influenced the development of modern technological societies. Take a moment to imagine a world without metal, for example, to see how central the science of materials is to everyday life. This course will explore, at a non-specialist level, the basic principles governing the properties and behaviour of a wide variety of common materials and examine their applications and limitations.
Materials Science
Introduction to materials science starting with the fundamentals of atomic structure and bonding and how this builds up a microstructure to create a solid. Metals, polymers, ceramics, electronic materials, composite and biomaterials will be covered and the properties, advantages and disadvantages of each discussed. Considerations such as corrosion, degradation and failure will be studied with a focus on improving design and creating new materials for our future world.
Stage II
Process Engineering 1: Introduction
Materials and energy balances with and without chemical reaction, materials and energy balances in multiphase systems such as crystallisation, evaporation, drying, humidification, dehumidification, absorption, distillation, extraction and filtration. An introduction to the most important unit operations in the chemical industry, design concept and safety as applied to processing.
Prerequisite: CHEM 110 or 120 or ENGGEN 140
Restriction: CHEMMAT 211
Process Engineering 2: Energy and Processing
Introduction to thermodynamics for process engineering. The first and second laws of thermodynamics. Application of thermodynamic concepts in closed systems, flow processes and cycles, refrigeration and liquefaction. Classical chemical thermodynamics including concepts of chemical potential, fugacity and activities; their applications to vapour-liquid equilibria and reacting systems. Multi-component physical equilibria. Multiple reaction equilibria and system-free energy minimisation. Practical examples and applications.
Restriction: CHEMMAT 212
Process Engineering 3: Transfer Processes
Fluid properties and statics (specific gravity, viscosity, surface tension, flow types, manometry). Modelling fluid motion (Bernoulli equation. Dimensional analysis and similitude: Reynolds Number, Friction factor, Prandtl number). Flow measurement (pumps/pumping and valves). Heat transfer including: steady state conduction, convection and radiation; and effects of geometry, force and natural convection. Heat transfer processes (correlation with flow processes, heat transfer coefficients). Applications.
Restriction: CHEMMAT 213
Materials
Solid state transformation – diffusion, vacancies, solidification, nucleation and growth. Dislocations and plastic deformation, strengthening mechanisms. Mechanical performance of materials. Iron-carbon alloy systems and transformations (including pearlitic, austenitic, bainitic and martensitic), effects of alloying elements. Analytical methods: X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy.
Prerequisite: CHEMMAT 121
Restriction: CHEMMAT 221
Process Design 1
Mechanics of solids and analysis of stress and strain. Introduction to materials selection. Design of thin walled pressure vessels. Application to the design of vessels, tanks, reactors, piping and heat transfer equipment. Introduction to the chemical industry, unit operations, line diagrams and process equipment. Report writing and oral communication skills.
Prerequisite: ENGGEN 121 or equivalent
Restriction: CHEMMAT 231, 232
Applied Chemistry
Fundamental chemistry required for chemical engineering and materials engineering. Topics may include phase equilibrium, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, surface chemistry, electrochemistry and polymer chemistry. This course will have an emphasis on problem definition and solution.
Prerequisite: 15 points from ENGGEN 140, CHEM 110, 120
Restriction: CHEMMAT 242
Stage III
Transfer Processes 2
Principles of continuous and staged processes. Mass transfer in various media, systems and phases. Interrelating equipment design to mass transfer processes. Studies of selected separation processes such as absorption, solvent extraction, distillation, and membrane processes.
Prerequisite: CHEMMAT 203 or 213, and CHEMMAT 242 or 206
Restriction: CHEMMAT 312
Advanced Process Engineering
An in-depth analysis of selected topics that influence the design, operation, and performance of process plants. Topics include: particulate technology, particle mechanics and particle motions, non-Newtonian fluid flow, two-phase solid-liquid and gas-liquid flow, computational fluid dynamics, flow through porous media and packed beds, filtration, centrifugation, fluidisation, variable-analysis of variations in materials and product processing, membrane separation methods and optimisation techniques.
Prerequisite: CHEMMAT 203 or 213
Restriction: CHEMMAT 313, 316, 411
Chemical Reactor Engineering
Kinetics of multiple reactions, analysis of basic reactors – batch, plug flow, and continuous stirred tank. Performance under isothermal, adiabatic, and varying temperature. Effect of semi-continuous, counterflow and recycle on performance. Heterogeneous reactions and catalysis, diffusion and reaction in porous catalysts, effects of external mass transfer resistance, fixed and fluidised bed reactors, gas-liquid reactors. Reactor engineering for biological and electrochemical systems.
Prerequisite: CHEMMAT 202 and 206, or CHEMMAT 212 and 242
Restriction: CHEMMAT 315
The Future of Energy
Discussion of topical and significant developments in the field of energy transformation, usage and storage in the context of climate change, both globally and in New Zealand. Topics include: energy efficiency, energy storage and applications, sustainability, non-renewable and renewable power generation.
Prerequisite: CHEMMAT 201 or 211
Restriction: CHEMMAT 317
Materials Processing and Performance
Materials processing and performance are critical components of a materials science and engineering degree. This course examines the processing and performance of metals, polymers and ceramics. Topics include metal-making, casting, forming, and forms of degradation, such as corrosion. Emphasis is placed on materials applications for process engineering.
Prerequisite: CHEMMAT 204 or 221
Restriction: CHEMMAT 321, 322, 421
Process Design 2
The nature and function of design – process conception, alternatives, constraints and their simulation. Raw materials, safety and environmental considerations. Flow sheet representation of information. Separation systems, heat exchanger networks, and specification of equipment. Process economics and project documentation.
Prerequisite: CHEMMAT 201 or 211, and CHEMMAT 205 or 232
Restriction: CHEMMAT 331, 756
Postgraduate 700 Level Courses
Advanced Chemical Engineering - Level 9
An independent study in advanced topics, current issues, new trends and developing technologies relevant to the field of chemical engineering, for example energy and environment, alternative fuels, process modeling and control. Topics are informed and supervised by leading researchers in the field and students develop critical assessment, report writing and oral communication skills through independent projects and seminars.
Electrochemical Engineering
The thermodynamics of aluminium electrolysis; heat and mass balance; components of the cell voltage; anode effect and its mitigation, resistance and voltage tracking; cell magnetics and magnetic modelling.
Corequisite: CHEMMAT 718, 726, 727
Aluminium Reduction Process Operations
Monitoring overall aluminium cell performance – what are the appropriate parameters to measure, how are they measured and how are they used for process control? Optimising cell performance, scheduling of operations, dealing with process excursions, metal treatment and quality. Novel cell designs.
Corequisite: CHEMMAT 717, 726, 727
Materials Design and Processing
Materials processing of metals, ceramics and polymers. Phase transformation. Microstructural development during materials processing. Case studies of materials selection in product design.
Advanced Materials - Level 9
An advanced course with emphasis on new developments in materials science and engineering and their impact on technology and society, for example surface engineering, nanomaterials and composites, alloy development, high performance ceramics, powder processing, biomaterials. Students develop critical assessment, report writing and oral communication skills through independent projects and seminars.
Directed Study in Materials
Directed study in materials science and engineering.
Industrial Materials Engineering
Exploration of materials in an industrial context, including industrial metals and alloys, high temperature corrosion, surface engineering, welding, powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing.
Restriction: CHEMMAT 754
Advanced Materials Characterisation - Level 9
The underlying theory essential to understanding modern methods of advanced materials analysis including: electron microscopy, surface analysis, atomic force microscopy and nanoindentation. Teaching is highly research informed with examples drawn from the Research Centre for Surface and Materials Science (RCSMS) and involves principles, practical experience and independent project work related to the application of these techniques.
Prerequisite: CHEMMAT 305 or 322
Advanced Functional Materials
Electronic properties of materials. Functional properties. Materials applications for energy storage, environmental protection and resource recovery. Nanomaterials and nanotechnology.
Restriction: CHEMMAT 755
The Light Metals Industry
An overview of the light metals, Ti, Al and Mg, their chemistry, metallurgy and processing. It also deals with trends in the global light metals production and uses and recent advances in extending applications for these materials; economics of feedstock and materials selection and availability; power supply and management; efficient use of equipment and resources; and environmental issues.
Corequisite: CHEMMAT 717, 718, 727
Materials Performance and Selection for Light Metals Processing
Performance requirements of anodes, cathodes, cell refractories and other aluminium cell construction materials are assessed. Techniques for monitoring materials performance in operation and post operation (autopsies) are discussed. This course also covers materials specifications, how well they predict performance in the aluminium cell as well as the relationship between the fabrication of the cell components and their performance. New materials.
Corequisite: CHEMMAT 717, 718, 726
Advanced Design Project - Level 9
An advanced design project utilising the application of the specialised knowledge required for the design and manufacture of a sophisticated product based on multiple plastics materials. Detailed considerations will include material and process selection, mould design, costing and economics, and environmental impact.
To complete this course students must enrol in CHEMMAT 732 A and B, or CHEMMAT 732
Design Project
Specification, planning and executing a specific process design project. The detailed considerations in the project to include environmental impact, safety and occupational health issues, material selection, process energy demand and efficiency, costing and economics, process start-up and operation.
Prerequisite: CHEMMAT 306 or 331
Restriction: CHEMMAT 431, 432
To complete this course students must enrol in CHEMMAT 750 A and B
Research Project - Level 9
Students are required to submit a report on independent investigation carried out on a topic assigned by the Head of Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering. The work shall be supervised by a member of staff.
Restriction: CHEMMAT 441, 442
To complete this course students must enrol in CHEMMAT 751 A and B
Process Dynamics and Control - Level 9
Application of simulation for understanding industry 4.0 focusing on digital twin and process control. Includes rigorous treatment of modelling and control fundamentals, advanced classical control and multiple loop control. Individual research is undertaken to apply advanced concepts and methods in modern chemical processes.
Prerequisite: ENGSCI 211
Restriction: CHEMMAT 311, 411, 412
Biological Materials and Biomaterials - Level 9
Fundamentals of biological materials from small-scale building blocks (genes, proteins) to large-scale biological entities (organs, joints). Biomaterial design, material selection and functionalisation and the interaction between biomaterials and the biological tissue. Critique and review recent research on selected topics. Individual and team research projects apply advanced concepts and methods to design and implement a scaffold or implant prototype.
Prerequisite: BIOMENG 221, or CHEMMAT 204 and 205, or CHEMMAT 221 and 232
Restriction: CHEMMAT 422
Materials Performance Enhancement - Level 9
Materials under extreme service conditions – surface engineering, high-temperature corrosion/oxidation. Nanomaterials and nanotechnology – special properties, synthesis and processing techniques, applications in sensing, catalysis and biomedical areas. Advanced manufacturing technology – additive manufacturing, powder metallurgy, and sustainable/green manufacturing. Selected advanced concepts in materials performance enhancement are taught through research based individual projects.
Prerequisite: CHEMMAT 121, and 305 or 322 or equivalent
Restriction: CHEMMAT 423
Materials for Energy and Environmental Applications - Level 9
Electronic properties of materials. Applications in energy storage. Smart materials and devices – magnetic and dielectric materials, sensors and actuators, recording devices. Materials for environmental applications – photo-catalysis and environmental cleaning, membrane materials, and eco-materials. Core concepts related to energy and environmental applications are extended by individual research projects on selected topics.
Prerequisite: CHEMMAT 121, and 305 or 322 or equivalent
Restriction: CHEMMAT 424
Food Process Engineering
Application of engineering principles to food processing. Topics include: heating and thermal processing, cooling, freezing and thawing, evaporation, dehydration, the use of membranes and packaging. Innovative food processes: high pressure, pulsed electric, UV, ultrasounds and ohmic heating/cooking, and fundamental areas of engineering relevant for food processing such as heat and mass transfer. Process impact on food safety, quality and preservation.
Prerequisite: CHEMMAT 201 or 211, and 15 points from ENGGEN 150, ENGSCI 111, MATHS 108, 110
Restriction: CHEMMAT 463, 772
Engineering Biotechnology
Principles of biochemical engineering. Exploitation of bioreaction and bioprocess systems. Enzyme and microbial reaction kinetics, bioreactor design and downstream processing. Examples of biochemical process and food industry applications.
Prerequisite: ENGSCI 111 or MATHS 108 or equivalent
Restriction: CHEMMAT 361, 464, FOODSCI 704
Resource Recovery Technologies - Level 9
Selection and application of resource recovery processes. Examination of a variety of resource recovery technologies. Critical evaluations of the latest research and development in innovative resource recovery techniques. Social and economic aspects as catalysts or obstacles to resource recovery. Includes an independent research project.
Industry 4.0 for Chemical Engineering
In-depth coverage of digitalisation and Industry 4.0 in the context of modern biological, chemical, food and materials processing industries. Topics include model building, digital models and digital twins using process simulators, scripting, open source software and data-driven analysis using machine learning concepts, and the application of these to modelling a virtual plant.
Prerequisite: ENGSCI 311
Advanced Microbial Technology in Bioprocess Engineering
Microbiological, biochemical, and molecular approaches crucial for analysing, developing, and optimising engineering bioprocesses. Fundamentals of microbial growth and the effect of environmental factors, molecular tools for quantifying bacterial cells and activities, bioinformatics, and in vitro enzymatic reactions. Applications of microbiology in engineering processes for chemical production, food engineering, bioenergy, and waste treatment.
Waste Reduction and Recycling Technologies
Principles, concepts, and technologies in waste minimisation and recycling. Topics include implementation of waste management and recycling technologies, economic analysis of waste recycling and minimisation and the three pillars of sustainability.
Advanced Food Process Technology - Level 9
Advanced knowledge essential for the application of food process technology. Topics include advanced food processing technology in specific food sectors strategic to New Zealand including dairy processing, meat processing, fruit and vegetable processing, seafood processing, wine processing. Teaching is highly research informed and involves principles, practice and independent project work related to the application of these skills.
Advanced Food Process Engineering - Level 9
Critical evaluation of the latest research and development in innovative thermal and non-thermal food processing technology. Open-ended application of these latest developments to different specific end-point food processing requirements. Teaching is highly research informed with principles, application examples and related individual research project work.
Restriction: CHEMMAT 756
Food Process Systems Engineering - Level 9
Advanced understanding of the theory and application of process systems engineering for the food industry. Includes advanced process analytical technology, real-time quality control, multivariate data analysis, advanced statistical process control, advanced control methods and strategies, and real-time optimisation. Teaching is highly research informed with examples from the Industrial Information and Control Centre (I2C2) and includes an independent laboratory based project.
Dissertation in Food Process Engineering - Level 9
A structured supervised research project addressing a topic relevant to the development and commercialisation of food process engineering technologies.
Restriction: CHEMMAT 775, 776, 777
To complete this course students must enrol in CHEMMAT 774 A and B
Dissertation in Food Process Engineering - Level 9
A structured supervised research project addressing a topic relevant to the development and commercialisation of food process engineering technologies.
Restriction: CHEMMAT 774, 776, 777
To complete this course students must enrol in CHEMMAT 775 A and B
Research Portfolio - Level 9
A structured supervised research portfolio addressing a topic relevant to the development and commercialisation of process engineering technologies.
Restriction: CHEMMAT 774, 775, 777
To complete this course students must enrol in CHEMMAT 776 A and B
Research Portfolio - Level 9
A structured supervised research portfolio addressing a topic relevant to the development and commercialisation of process engineering technologies.
Restriction: CHEMMAT 774, 775, 776
To complete this course students must enrol in CHEMMAT 777 A and B
Dairy Process Engineering - Level 9
Industry-focused advanced topics in post-farm-gate processing of milk including liquid milk, powdered dairy and fermented products. Waste and high value product recovery from milk processing. Trends in global dairy industry including new development in food physics and chemistry, new products and processes, design and production of novel foods. Includes individual project-based work, laboratory work and completion of a group-based project. Includes independent research to create unique innovative solutions to an open-ended problem.
Food Engineering Research Project - Level 9
A structured supervised research project addressing a topic relevant to the development and commercialisation of food process engineering technologies.
Restriction: CHEMMAT 774, 775, 776, 777
To complete this course students must enrol in CHEMMAT 779 A and B
Research Project - Level 9
To complete this course students must enrol in CHEMMAT 780 A and B, or CHEMMAT 780
Project X - Level 9
Students are required to submit a report on a topic assigned by the appropriate Head of Department.
Prerequisite: Departmental approval
Project Y - Level 9
Students are required to submit a report on a topic assigned by the appropriate Head of Department.
Prerequisite: Departmental approval
To complete this course students must enrol in CHEMMAT 788 A and B
Project Z - Level 9
Students are required to submit a report on a topic assigned by the appropriate Head of Department.
Prerequisite: Departmental approval
Research Project - Level 9
Students are required to submit a report on a topic relevant to the specialisation, as assigned by the appropriate Head of Department.
Prerequisite: Departmental approval
To complete this course students must enrol in CHEMMAT 795 A and B, or CHEMMAT 795