Mechanical Engineering Major - Bachelor of Engineering Technology
What do food processing, plastics manufacturing, metal machining and mechanical design have in common? They’re all career options for skilled mechanical engineering technologists.
Mechanical engineers use physics and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems; constantly innovating to enhance performance, efficiency and safety in anything from home appliances to transportation.
The Mechanical Engineering major in the Bachelor of Engineering Technology prepares you for careers as an engineering technologist in mechanical engineering, and production or manufacturing engineering.
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This is part of the Bachelor of Engineering Technology.
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As a mechanical engineering student, you’ll develop the skills to maintain, develop and design different aspects of modern mechanical technology.
You also need to complete a minimum of 600 hours of planned supervised work placement to graduate. This experience exposes you to common engineering industry practices and helps you gain knowledge of engineering procedures, engineering responsibilities, and health and safety practices.
To prepare you for your engineering career, there’s a strong focus on sustainability and the skills to work in multi-disciplinary teams. Most of your first-year courses are shared with the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), making it easy for you to switch between our engineering degrees.
If you’re already studying at AUT and have any questions about the courses you should enrol in, email engineer@aut.ac.nz
*Cross-credits between different engineering majors and degrees are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and you may not be able to gain cross-credits for all your first-year courses.
Year 1
Semester 1 courses
- ENGE401 Introductory Engineering Mathematics (15 points)
- ENGE500 Introduction to Sustainable Engineering Design (15 points)
- ENGE504 Electrical Engineering Fundamentals (15 points)
- ENME505 Statics and Equilibrium (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- DIGD507 Mahitahi: Collaborative Practices (15 points)
- ENME502 Engineering Materials I (15 points)
- ENME500 Introduction to Thermofluids and Energy (15 points)
- ENME506 Mechanics – Dynamics (15 points)
Year 2
Semester 1 courses
- ENGE501 Engineering Mathematics I (15 points)
- ENME615 Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer (15 points)
- ENME607 Manufacturing Technology (15 points)
- ENME610 Strength of Materials (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- COMP500 Programming Concepts and Techniques (15 points)
- ENGE600 Engineering Management (15 points)
- ENME602 Engineering Design Methodology (15 points)
- ENME604 Applied Fluid Mechanics (15 points)
Year 3
Semester 1 courses
- ENGE771 Specialisation Project (Part A) (15 points)
- ENME712 Product Design (15 points)
- Plus two optional courses
Semester 2 courses
- ENGE772 Specialisation Project (Part B) (15 points)
- ENME611 Theory of Machines (15 points)
- ENME702 Mechanical Design (15 points)
- Plus one optional course
Optional courses you can choose from
Choose three from the following in Year 3. At least one of these courses should be at level 7.
Semester 1 courses
- ENGE601 Engineering Mathematics II (15 points)
- ENME706 Control Engineering (15 points)
- ENME708 Advanced Manufacturing Technology (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- ENGE603 Renewable Energy Generation, Storage and Utilisation (15 points)
- ENGE707 Data Engineering and AI (15 points)
If you started your studies in the Bachelor of Engineering Technology before 2024, the courses you need to complete are a little different. Find out what courses you need to take to complete your qualification if you started in 2023 or earlier.
Specialisation project
All students need to complete an industry-based project in their third year, which is completed over two semesters. This supervised project helps you develop new skills which include theoretical/practical design and production techniques. Students work as individuals or as part of a team on projects related to their major. During the project, you critically reflect on the relationship between your academic studies and engineering workplace practice, test theories and identify gaps in your knowledge to enhance your understanding of practical engineering matters.
Want more info about work integrated learning at AUT?
Read more about workplace experience in AUT programmes, how it works and why it’s so beneficial when you start your career.
Workplace experience in AUT programmes
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- Maintenance engineer
- Mechanical design engineer
- Mechanical engineer
- Product development engineer
- Production/manufacturing engineer
- Project management
Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.
Other major in the Bachelor of Engineering Technology
Postgraduate study
- Prepares you for careers in mechanical, production or manufacturing engineering
- Emphasis on sustainability and relevant skills for your career
- Access to high-end facilities
- Real-life experience working on an industry-based project
- Able to work well independently and in a team
- Accurate, with an eye for detail
- A creative and practical problem-solver
- A leader
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.