Earth Sciences (2023)

Earth Sciences is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Climate Change (BCC), Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Bachelor of Science (Technology) (BSc(Tech)). Earth Sciences may also be taken as a second major in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Earth Sciences as a single major for the BCC, BSc and the BSc(Tech), students must gain 135 points, including EARTH101, EARTH102, 60 points from EARTH211, EARTH221, EARTH231, EARTH241, EARTH251, and at least 45 points from 300-level Earth Sciences papers.

To complete Earth Sciences as part of a double major for the BCC, BSc, BSc(Tech) or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points, including EARTH101, EARTH102, 60 points from EARTH211, EARTH221, EARTH231, EARTH241, EARTH251, and at least 30 points from 300-level Earth Sciences papers.

Students with a special interest in physical geography should consult with the subject convenor before selecting their papers. The majority of papers in Earth Sciences include both laboratory practical and field work.

Further information regarding papers, staff and research details can be found in brochures available from the School of Science office or website.

On this page

• Prescriptions for the GradCert(EarthSc) and GradDip(EarthSc)
• Prescriptions for the PGCert(EarthSc), PGDip(EarthSc), BSc(Hons), MSc, MSc(Res) and MSc(Tech)
• Prescriptions for the MPhil
• Prescriptions for the PhD
• 100 Level
• 200 Level
• 300 Level
• 500 Level
• 800 Level
• 900 Level

• Prescriptions for the GradCert(EarthSc) and GradDip(EarthSc)

  A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Earth Sciences at an advanced level in their first degree.

  For further details, contact the School of Science.

• Prescriptions for the PGCert(EarthSc), PGDip(EarthSc), BSc(Hons), MSc, MSc(Res) and MSc(Tech)

  To complete a postgraduate subject in Earth Sciences, students must complete a minimum of 60 points (for PGDip a minimum of 90 points) of taught papers in the subject at 500 level, including at least 30 points with an EARTH prefix from papers in List A, and a maximum for 30 points from List B. They must also complete any research requirement for their degree, typically EARTH592 (60 points), EARTH593 (90 points) or EARTH594 (120 points), as well as any other degree requirements. Candidates should select their papers in consultation with the Postgraduate Convenor, and enrolment in BSc(Hons) is only by invitation of the Postgraduate Convenor.

  List A papers are: EARTH501, EARTH502, EARTH503, EARTH504, EARTH505, EARTH506, EARTH508 and EARTH509.

  List B papers are: ENVSC503, SCIEN511, SCIEN512 and SCIEN589.

• Prescriptions for the MPhil

  The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

• Prescriptions for the PhD

  The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

• 100 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  EARTH101	Introduction to Earth System Sciences - Pūtaiao Pūnaha Whenua	15.0	23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Tauranga)
  A lecture and laboratory paper that explores the interacting processes that affect the surface of the Earth, producing landforms and resources, with a focus on physical processes. Topics covered include coastal processes and hazards; climate change; weathering; erosion and mass movement; soil formation; the hydrological cycle; rive...
  EARTH102	Discovering Planet Earth - Tūhuratia Papatūānuku	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  This paper explores the Earth's interior and its dynamic interaction with the crust, including: the major rocks and minerals; interpreting the rock record and geologic maps; the geological time scale and fossils; plate tectonics; volcanism; earthquakes. He tuhura no tenei pepa i te kopu o Papatuanuku me tona pahekoheko hihiri i te ...

• 200 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  EARTH211	Earth Resources and Materials	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  An introduction to the nature, composition and origin of Earth materials and resources. Topics covered include mineral properties and their uses; process origins of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks; and the importance of Earth materials as a societal resource. The paper also encompasses the petrographic and analytical cha...
  EARTH221	Soil Science	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  An introduction to the nature, formation, and classification of soils, their physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological properties, and issues of soil quality, land degradation and sustainable management. The paper also encompasses the properties, genesis, and distribution of the soils of New Zealand and their use.
  EARTH231	Water Resources, Weather and Climate	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  Introduction to physical processes that influence the distribution of water in space and time within Aotearoa-New Zealand. Topics include mid-latitude weather and atmospheric precipitation processes that ultimately affect the availability of water across Aotearoa-New Zealand's diverse landscapes: a description of surface water reso...
  EARTH241	Oceanography	15.0	23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga)
  This paper introduces students to the broad scale properties, issues, and research importance of the global ocean via the main disciplines of oceanography: particularly biological, chemical, geological and physical oceanography
  EARTH251	Applied Earth Sciences	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  This paper integrates an understanding of land/soil and water processes that occur at paddock to catchment to national scales. The focus is on land management practices and land evaluation to optimise resource use for productive purposes while avoiding or minimising unwanted environmental effects. Topics include: soil degradation, ...

• 300 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  EARTH311	Volcanology	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  A study of pyroclastic rocks, physical volcanology, volcanic hazards, the origin of magmas, crystallisation of rock-forming minerals and phase equilibria, petrology and trace element geochemistry of volcanic rocks, and geothermal and mineral resources.
  EARTH312	Sedimentary Geology	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  This paper explores the links between sedimentary rocks and past environments through two major strands: reconstructing depositional environments and understanding the effects of sea-level change on sedimentary processes (sequence stratigraphy). A third strand explores the environmental and economic aspects of sedimentary geology, ...
  EARTH313	Engineering Geology	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  Engineering Geology is the application of the principles of Earth Sciences to ensure hazards associated with landslides or unfavourable soil and rock conditions are idetified in engineering or environmental work. This paper gives an introduction to the field of engineering geology. Topics covered include: landslide processes and th...
  EARTH322	Soil and Water Management	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  This paper integrates an understanding of land/soil and water processes that occur at paddock to catchment to national scales. A focus is on management practices that optimise resource use for productive purposes with attention to avoidance or minimisation of environmental effects. Topics include soil degradation, soil fertility, ...
  EARTH331	Hydrology	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  This paper examines aspects of the hydrological cycle at a regional scale, focussing on catchments in the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand, including lake processes. The paper is predominantly practical and involves the measurement and analysis of hydrological processes, emphasising precipitation, river flow and runoff processe...
  EARTH341	Coastal Oceanography	15.0	23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Tauranga)
  This paper focuses on the physical oceanography of the coastal zone. Topics include estuarine circulation, wind driven currents on the shelf, longwaves, resonance, seiching, methodologies for quantifying processes and coastal responses, waves and surfzone processes.

• 500 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  EARTH501	Volcanic Techniques and Applications	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  This paper investigates geological techniques used to reconstruct eruption processes and histories, and their application to society, including volcanic facies analysis, tephra studies (tephrochronology), volcanic glass and mineral studies, juvenile and lithic studies, and volcanic hazards.
  EARTH503	Coastal Processes: Analysis and Prediction	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  This paper considers techniques to predict coastal processes for management and research, including assessment of which processes to observe, how to obtain and analyse data, and using results for prediction.
  EARTH504	Geohazard Risk	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  This seminar paper evaluates the methodologies used to characterise risk associated with geohazards, and assesses the impact of strategies employed to avoid or mitigate this risk.
  EARTH506	Sedimentary Geology	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  A paper examining the application of sedimentary geological and geophysical principles, and models of Earth materials, to the exploration and analysis of sedimentary basins in New Zealand.
  EARTH508	Rock Slope Stability	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  This paper considers rock mechanics within Engineering Geology, including: strength of intact rocks and rock joints; engineering hazards; slope stability modelling; and an applied site investigation project.
  EARTH592	Dissertation	60.0	23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
  A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
  EARTH593	Earth Sciences Thesis	90.0	23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
  An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
  EARTH594	Earth Sciences Thesis	120.0	23I (Hamilton), 23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
  An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
  ENVSC503	Greenhouse Gas Fluxes from Land	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  Processes and factors controlling exchanges of water, carbon and greenhouse gases in natural or managed ecosystems, methodologies to quantify them, and approaches to mitigate undesirable anthropogenic consequences.
  SCIEN512	Data Analysis and Experimental Design	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  This paper covers aspects of research design for experiments, and methods for analysis of scientific data using modern statistical techniques.
  SCIEN589	Directed Study	15.0	23A (Hamilton), 23A (Tauranga), 23B (Hamilton), 23B (Tauranga), 23C (Hamilton) & 23C (Tauranga)
  No description available.
  SCIEN592	Dissertation	60.0	23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
  A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
  SCIEN593	Thesis	90.0	23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
  An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
  SCIEN594	Thesis	120.0	23I (Hamilton), 23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
  An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.

• 800 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  EARTH800	Earth Sciences MPhil Thesis	120.0	23X (Hamilton)
  No description available.

• 900 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  EARTH900	Earth Sciences PhD Thesis	120.0	23I (Hamilton), 23J (Hamilton), 23K (Hamilton), 23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
  No description available.