Course details

Summary

Mechatronics Engineering is the integration of electronics and intelligent control in mechanical systems. Mechatronics engineers employ precision engineering, control theory, computer science, and mathematics and sensor technology to design enhanced or 'smart' products, processes and systems.

Almost everywhere you look you will see a mechatronic system. They are utilised in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, communication, transport, medicine, service, energy, smart farming and increasingly in advanced gaming systems.

During the coming decades we will see an explosion of these automated systems further infiltrating our lives. Robots are widely used to automate manufacturing processes for productivity benefits, quality consistency and reduction/elimination of physically hard and/or hazardous labour. Mobile machines, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and Autonomous Ground Vehicle (AGV), are deployed to operate in such environments.

Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and components are now as small as a few microns and researchers are investigating nanotechnologies by using mechatronic systems for applications such as microscopy, spectroscopy, nano-fabrication, big data storage and sensor technologies.

Qualification structure and duration

The first year of the degree is called the Engineering Intermediate Year and comprises nine courses (120 points) which is made up of:

• five compulsory courses and
• four further Intermediate Year courses which vary depending on which Engineering discipline you want to specialise in. The Intermediate Year is followed by three Professional Years of study in one of the Engineering disciplines. Entry to the Professional Years is limited and based on your performance in the first year(s). These years will focus on the relevant knowledge and skills you will need in your chosen discipline. During your degree you will complete 100 days (800 hours) of practical work placement.

Career opportunities

Graduates with a Mechatronics Engineering degree can take up careers in a wide spectrum of industries where the interaction of software and a physical system plays a major role, including the robotics, aerospace, chemical, gaming, internet/cloud/software, defence, automotive and manufacturing industries. Mechatronics graduates also work in businesses that require extensive computer infrastructure and algorithms, such as banking and commerce.

Within these industries, graduates may be design engineers, software engineers, project planners, product designers or project managers.

Entry criteria

NCEA entrance requirements - You should aim to have at least: 14 credits in Level 3 maths or calculus including both differentiation and integration; 14 credits in Level 3 physics; 14 credits in Level 3 chemistry. 18 credits are strongly recommended in all subjects.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma -You will need to have: IB Score of 26 points; minimum of 4 HL (or 6 SL) in each of math's and physics (HL is recommended); minimum of 4 HL (or 6 SL) in chemistry.

Cambridge International Examination (CIE) - You will need to have: CIE Score of 140 points; maths and physics - D grade or better at A level or A in AS level; chemistry - D grade or better at A level or A in AS level.

Alternatively the Intermediate can be completed in more than one year (maximum of two years) with a minimum requirement of: CIE Score of 140 Points; D Grade at A-Level or C Grade at AS-Level in Mathematics; D Grade at A-Level or C Grade at AS-Level in Physics; preferably C Grade at AS-Level in Chemistry (discipline specific).

If you have not studied one or more of the required subjects, or did not achieve enough credits, but have University Entrance, you may consider an introductory pathway such as: taking a Head start summer course to catch up or; take an introductory course in specific Science subjects to start with (eg, MATH 101, PHYS 111 and CHEM 114). You could then take the Intermediate Year courses in Semester 2 and over summer, or do an extra year of study.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.