Environmental Sciences
If we are to achieve environmental sustainability, we need to understand how the environment works and ensure we leave the world in a healthy functioning state for future generations.
Environmental Sciences is the interdisciplinary and systematic study of our environment as well as our role in its management. Pressures and impacts on our environment are increasing as the human population grows and we seek to utilise natural resources in ever increasing amounts.
Environmental Sciences can provide the scientific basis for understanding environmental problems, and finding solutions to them. By studying Environmental Sciences and becoming qualified to work as an environmental scientist or technician, you can become directly involved in solving our environmental problems.
Students may choose a specialisation in:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Environmental Modelling
- Land and Freshwater Environments
- Marine Sciences
Career Opportunities
- Biosecurity Officer
- Coastal and Discharges Consent Planner
- Environmental Analyst, Consultant, Engineer
- Fisheries Manager
- Oceanographer
- Resource Officer
- Risk Analyst
RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND
School subjects required
As well as biology, students may find chemistry, geography and mathematics useful.
PLANNING YOUR DEGREE
Environmental Sciences is available as an interdisciplinary major jointly taught between the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Earth & Ocean Sciences.
To complete a major in Environmental Sciences, students must complete 120 points above 100 Level, including 60 points about 200 Level, from compulsory papers.
Year 1
100 Level – Papers are worth 15 points.
Prerequisites
» BIOL102 – The Biology of Organisms
» ERTH104 – Earth and Ocean Environments
Students are strongly advised to consider taking some of the following papers
» CHEM101 – Chemical Concepts
» ERTH103 – Discovering Planet Earth
» ENVS101 – Environmental Science
» GEOG103 – Resource and Environmental Sustainability
» MATH165 – General Mathematics
» STAT121 – Introduction to Statistical Methods or STAT111 – Statistics for Science
Year 2
200 Level – Papers are worth 20 points unless specified.
Students should seek advice when selecting 200 Level papers to ensure they select appropriate papers to cover prerequisites for the 300 Level papers they may wish to pursue.
Compulsory papers
» BIOL212 – Ecology
*Choose a further 40 points from:
» CHEM261 – Geochemistry and Environmental Chemistry
» ERTH233 – Soils in the Landscape (10 points)
» ERTH234 – Soil Properties and their Management (10 points)
» ERTH242 – Oceanography
» ERTH245 – Weather and Climate (10 points)
» ERTH246 – Introduction to Hydrology (10 points)
Students are strongly advised to consider taking further papers from the list above. Other papers to consider including are any other ERTH or BIOL papers, or:
» CHEM204 – Analytical Chemistry and Instrumental Techniques
» ENMP241 – Environmental Technology 1
» ENVP206 – Principles of Environmental Planning
» GEOG219 – Māori Lands and Communities
» GEOG228 – Information Technology and Cartography
Year 3
300 Level – Papers are worth 20 points unless specified.
**Choose 20 points from the following 300 Level Biological Sciences papers
» BIOL312 – Applied Terrestrial Ecology
» BIOL313 – Applied Freshwater Ecology
» BIOL314 – Marine Biology and Monitoring
***Choose 20 points from the following 300 Level Earth Sciences papers:
» ERTH333 – Pedology and Land Evaluation (10 points)
» ERTH334 – Soil and Land Management (10 points)
» ERTH343 – Coastal Geomorphology and Management
» ERTH344 – Coastal Oceanography and Engineering
» ERTH345 – Catchment Hydrology (10 points)
» ERTH346 – Groundwater and Hydrological Analysis (10 points)
****Choose a further 20 points from the 300 Level papers listed above or CHEM304 – Special Topics in Chemistry (in an approved environmental chemistry topic)
Students are strongly advised to consider taking further papers from the lists above.
Other papers to consider including are any other ERTH or BIOL papers, or:
» CHEM306 – Advanced Analytical Chemistry
» ENMP341 – Environmental Technology 2
» GEOG306 – Disasters and Developments
» GEOG328 – Geographical Information Systems
