Master of Earthquake Engineering

Earthquake engineers design new buildings and infrastructure to withstand disasters, and assess the vulnerability of existing buildings and infrastructure, drawing from expertise in structural and geotechnical engineering. The University of Auckland is internationally recognised for our strengths in these fields, putting us in the right position to deliver specialist professional capabilities to both New Zealand and internationally, where there are increasing population densities in seismic regions. Recent earthquakes in Canterbury and Kaikoura have caused extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure and the natural environment. Investigations into the post-disaster repair and reconstruction efforts have increased our understanding and specialist expertise, but also revealed major demands for earthquake engineers. In this case, the demands have exceeded the capacity of our engineering profession; this need is also reflected in many countries around the world. Beyond training a new generation of leading professionals, the MEqEng also aims to support current practitioners in the building industries: those who require skills to navigate increasingly complex building codes, policies and requirements in line with new innovations in research and industry.

You can undertake a Master of Earthquake Engineering in either a taught or research pathway.

This programme is offered in two options, to suit the existing qualifications and experience of candidates.

• 120 points for candidates with a four-year bachelors (honours) degree
• 180 points for candidates with a three-year bachelors degree

Research study

For the 120-point research programme you will complete one 15-point core course, one 15-point elective and a 90-point research thesis. For the 180-point research programme, you will complete one 15-point core course, five 15-point electives followed by a 90-point research thesis. Electives will be selected from the taught programme course schedule (excludes research projects).

Core:
CIVIL 720 Earthquake Engineering

Electives:
For 120-point programme choose one elective and for 180-point programme choose five electives.

• CIVIL 702 Design of Earthquake Resistant Foundations
• CIVIL 710 Advanced Structural Dynamics
• CIVIL 715 Advanced Structural Concrete
• CIVIL 717 Advanced Structural Timber
• CIVIL 725 Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
• CIVIL 727 Dynamics of Structures in Earthquakes
• CIVIL 741 Ground Improvements and Geosynthetics Engineering
• CIVIL 745 Seismic Assessment of Existing Buildings
• CIVIL 746 Nonlinear Structural Analysis
• CIVIL 750 Timber Engineering
• STRCTENG 711 Multistorey Structures Design
• STRCTENG 760 Forensic Structural Engineering

Research thesis:
CIVIL 793A/B Thesis or CIVIL 794A/B Thesis

*Students will be required to submit a thesis topic and supervisor before starting their programme.

Taught study

For the 120-point taught programme you will complete one 15-point core course and seven electives as per the requirements. For the 180-point taught programme, you will complete four 15-point core courses and eleven 15-point electives.

Core:

For 120-point programme:
CIVIL 720 Earthquake Engineering

For 180-point programme:

• CIVIL 720 Earthquake Engineering
• CIVIL 727 Dynamics of Structures in Earthquakes
• STRCTENG 710 Low Rise Structures Design
• STRCTENG 711 Multistorey Structures Design

Electives:
For 120-point and 180-point programmes, you must select at least 45-points from the following electives:

• CIVIL 702 Design of Earthquake Resistant Foundations
• CIVIL 710 Advanced Structural Dynamics
• CIVIL 715 Advanced Structural Concrete
• CIVIL 717 Advanced Structural Timber
• CIVIL 725 Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
• CIVIL 745 Seismic Assessment of Existing Buildings
• CIVIL 746 Nonlinear Structural Analysis
• CIVIL 787 Project X
• CIVIL 788 A/B Research Project (30-points. Two semesters)
• CIVIL 789 Project Z (30-points. One semester)

*No more than 30-points from CIVIL 787-789

For 120-point and 180-point programmes, you must select at least 15-points from the following electives:

• CIVIL 710 Advanced Structural Dynamics
• CIVIL 715 Advanced Structural Concrete
• CIVIL 717 Advanced Structural Timber
• CIVIL 719 Matrix Structural Analysis
• CIVIL 727 Dynamics of Structures in Earthquakes (120-point programme only)
• CIVIL 745 Seismic Assessment of Existing Buildings
• CIVIL 746 Nonlinear Structural Analysis
• CIVIL 750 Timber Engineering
• STRCTENG 711 Multistorey Structures Design (120-point programme only)

For 120-point and 180-point programme, you must select at least 15-points from the following electives:

• CIVIL 702 Design of Earthquake Resistant Foundations
• CIVIL 725 Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
• CIVIL 741 Ground Improvements and Geosynthetics Engineering

Other electives:

• DISMGT 703 Disaster Management and Resilience
• ENGGEN 737 Engineering Risk Management
• ENGGEN 769 Research Methods for Engineers
• STRCTENG 760 Forensic Structural Engineering

Not offered in 2024

• CIVIL 711 Structures Seminar
• CIVIL 718 Light Gauge Steel
• CIVIL 721 Foundation Engineering
• CIVIL 724 Soil Behaviour
• CIVIL 740 Special Study in Civil Engineering
• CIVIL 742 Bridge Design
• CIVIL 744 Special Study in Earthquake Engineering