Engineering degree structure in the United States I often see in the US that many engineering programs are listed as a BSc or an MSc for Master's. 

In my country (New Zealand) one can obtain a BSc in three years in a science field, or, if wanting to pursue engineering, a bachelor of engineering (BE) can be attained, most often with an honours component (BE(Hons)) in four years.

The honours component includes a year long research project with thesis in the final year as well as additional non-research related coursework.

To put it simply, my question is:


In the US, what is the duration of a BSc in an engineering field?
Does this include an honours component such as the one I have mentioned?
If not, is there a significant emphasis on research?
If yes, is this something all students complete, or is it optional?
Is this honours/research component very important to the overall degree?


My confusion arises due to the name of 'BSc' and also due to no honours being mentioned i.e. it is not 'BSc(Hons)'.
Most ABET-accredited programs in the US offer a 4-year Bachelors of Science in XYZ Engineering (sounds like the equivalent of a BE from your home country).  Most science programs (i.e., Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Sociology, really any type of science, hard or soft) are 4-year programs as well.
Many programs have an optional honors thesis that students can pursue if they are interested - it's rarely, to my knowledge, required.
US engineering programs don't typically emphasize research - though this depends on the school - but most emphasize a capstone project during one's third or fourth year.  This can range from working with an actual client (like my undergrad did) to working on a project that the professors running the project determine.
Generally speaking - all students complete the capstone, research/honors is optional.
Practical experience is what's most important - that comes from the capstone project, laboratory exercises, and above all internships/co-ops/REUs.