Environmental Sciences (2023)

Environmental 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)). Environmental Sciences may also be taken as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Environmental Sciences as a single major for the BCC, BSc and BSc(Tech), students must gain 135 points including EARTH101, ENVSC101, ENVSC201 and ENVPL303; one of BIOEB202 or BIOMO203; one of CHEMY204 or ENVSC202; one of EARTH221, EARTH231 or EARTH241; and two papers in different subject areas from BIOEB303, BIOEB304, BIOEB305, BIOMO303, CHEMY304, EARTH313, EARTH321, EARTH322, EARTH331, EARTH341, EARTH342, or ENVSC302.

To complete Environmental Sciences as part of a double major for the BCC, BSc, BSc(Tech) or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points including EARTH101, ENVSC101, ENVSC201 and ENVPL303; one of BIOEB202 or BIOMO203; one of CHEMY204 or ENVSC202; one of EARTH221, EARTH231 or EARTH241; one of BIOEB303, BIOEB304, BIOEB305, BIOMO303, CHEMY304, EARTH313, EARTH321, EARTH322, EARTH331, EARTH341, EARTH342 or ENVSC302.

To complete a minor in Environmental Sciences, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the Environmental Sciences major, including at least 30 points above 100 level. Students must include ENVSC101 and ENVSC201.

On this page

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

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

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

  For further details, contact the Division of Health, Engineering, Computing and Science.

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

  To complete a postgraduate subject in Environmental 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 ENVSC prefix from the papers in List A, and a maximum of 30 points from the papers in List B. They must also complete any research requirement for their degree, typically ENVSC592 (60 points), ENVSC593 (90 points) or ENVSC594 (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: ENVSC501, ENVSC502, ENVSC503, ENVSC504 and ENVSC505.

  List B papers are: BIOEB502, BIOEB503, BIOEB504, BIOEB505, BIOEB506, BIOMO503, BIOMO512, CHEMY503, EARTH501, EARTH502, EARTH503, EARTH504, EARTH505, EARTH506, ENGEV544, ENGEV545, SCIEN511, SCIEN512 and SCIEN589.

• 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
  BIOEB102	Introduction to Ecology and Biodiversity - Mātai Hauropi a Kanorau Koiora	15.0	23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga)
  An introduction to the principles of ecology and biodiversity. Topics include population, community and ecosystem ecology, conservation biology, and the structure, functioning and environmental responses of animals and plants. Examples will include New Zealand ecosystems and biota. He whakataki tenei pepa i nga matapono o te matai ...
  CHEMY100	Chemistry in Context - Matū o te Ao	15.0	23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Tauranga)
  This paper covers a broad range of chemical concepts that are fundamental to the sciences and engineering. A strong emphasis is made to teach concepts through real-life examples from the world around us. He toro na tenei pepa i nga tumomo tuapapa o te matai matu kei te tuapapa o nga horopaki putaiao, pukaha hoki He kaha hangai te ...
  CHEMY101	Structure and Spectroscopy - Tūramaramatia i ngā Hanganga	15.0	23A (Hamilton) & 23C (Hamilton)
  A theoretical and practical course covering aspects of analytical and inorganic chemistry. This course is required for the chemistry major. He pepa tirotiro i nga tuahua o te wetewete i te matauranga matuwaro me tona kore paraumu, he pepa matua o roto o te tohu matuora.
  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...
  ENVSC101	Environmental Science - Pūtaiao Taiao	15.0	23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga)
  A scientific study of the interaction between humans and the environment including climate change, utilisation and exploitation of natural resources and the effects of human activities on biological, chemical and physical processes that form resources and control ecosystems. Ko te whainga matua o tenei pepa putaiao taiao ki te whak...

• 200 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  BIOEB202	Principles of Ecology	15.0	23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga)
  This paper covers the principles of ecology, including adaptation to the environment, intra- and inter-specific interactions, community and ecosystem dynamics, and biogeography. Weekend field trips and computer laboratory work are essential elements.
  BIOMO202	Genetics	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  This paper deals with genetics in the widest sense from the molecular and cellular to the applied and evolutionary. Both prokaryote and eukaryote genetics are discussed with respect to DNA replication, hereditary, gene expression and control, and the role of mutations at both the DNA and chromosomal levels. The paper provides a pat...
  BIOMO203	Microbiology	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  This paper will focus on microbial cell structure, function, and metabolism. Content and context will be drawn from both human and environmental examples. Students will acquire skills in microbiological laboratory techniques, data collection, data analysis, and report presentation. This paper is required for the Molecular and Cellu...
  CHEMY204	Analytical Chemistry	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  This paper covers aspects of analytical chemistry including characterisation using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR); qualitative and quantitative analysis of mixtures using gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The use of statistical methods in analytical chemistry will also be covered.
  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
  ENVSC201	Environmental Monitoring	15.0	23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga)
  An introduction to reasons for, and design and implementation of, environmental monitoring in New Zealand. Skills in data collection, management, presentation, and interpretation are developed for a range of environments using both field data collection and published data-sets.
  ENVSC202	Environmental Chemistry and Geochemistry	15.0	23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Tauranga)
  This paper is a broad introduction into environmental chemistry and geochemistry including the formation of the elements, chemical evolution of Earth, modern Earth surface processes, fossil fuels and biomarkers, global biogeochemical cycling, atmospheric chemistry and global climate change.

• 300 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  BIOEB303	Terrestrial Ecology	15.0	23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Tauranga)
  This paper explores ecological theory to understand the dynamics, functioning, and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems in New Zealand and across the globe. Labs, workshops, and a weekend field trip are core components of this paper.
  BIOEB304	Freshwater Ecology	15.0	23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Tauranga)
  An introduction to the ecology of lakes and rivers. Topics covered include the structure and function of major freshwater communities, fish and fisheries, human impacts and the management of inland waters.
  BIOEB305	Marine Ecology	15.0	23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga)
  An introduction to the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems. The paper explores the fundamentals of ecology (e.g. disturbance/recovery, recruitment, organism interactions with their environment, nutrient cycles, limits on productivity) in a marine setting. We also cover human impacts on marine environments including fishe...
  CHEMY304	Advanced Analytical Chemistry	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  This paper covers advanced aspects of analytical chemistry including mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Mossbauer and Raman spectroscopy, quality control and assurance, sampling techniques and method validation.
  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.
  ENVPL303	Environmental Assessment and Policy	15.0	23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga)
  This is a project-based paper that provides an understanding of how environmental assessments are prepared, and used to assist decision-making and inform policy implementation for complex environmental problems such as climate change impacts, freshwater quality, and environmental pollution.

• 400 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  LEGAL434	Environmental Law	15.0	23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Tauranga)
  This paper examines the foundations and principles of environmental and resource management law, their expression in key areas (biodiversity, climate change, freshwater, and oceans), and the planning, adjudication and compliance techniques used to implement the law.

• 500 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  BIOEB503	Terrestrial Ecology	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  This paper aims to develop students' understanding of ecological theory with a focus on terrestrial ecosystems, and of how theory can inform ecosystem management and our understanding of environmental problems. As well as exploring some of the big questions in contemporary ecology (both nationally and internationally), the paper fo...
  BIOEB504	Freshwater Ecology	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  This paper provides a critical examination of issues that freshwater ecosystems face, e.g., eutrophication, pollution, conservation, and utilisation and explores the research around methods to mitigate potentially competing interests.
  BIOEB505	Coastal and Estuarine Ecology	15.0	23X (Block)
  This paper emphasises multi-disciplinary science to better understand the functioning of soft-sediment ecosystems. The course will cover ecological principles through to the impacts associated with human activities and their management.
  BIOEB506	Environmental Physiology	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  An examination of selected topics in environmental physiology, considering how animals and plants interact with their environment and influence ecological processes in natural and managed ecosystems.
  BIOMO503	Microbiomes	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  This paper explores microbiomes in the environment and in association with multicellular organisms, including humans, to understand their critical ecological roles in ecosystem and host function and health.
  BIOMO512	Molecular Techniques for Environmental Science	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  This paper will introduce students of diverse scientific backgrounds to current and emerging molecular analytic and diagnostic techniques used across biological and environmental sciences.
  CHEMY503	Analytical Methodology	15.0	No occurrences
  An advanced study of analytical methodology and instrumental techniques, this will investigate sample extraction techniques, and instrument choice for a variety of sample matrices.
  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.
  ENVSC502	Conservation and Restoration: Theory and Practice	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  This paper examines the application of scientific principles and theories in conservation biology and restoration ecology, with particular reference to New Zealand examples showcasing management of species and ecosystems impacted by human activities.
  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.
  ENVSC504	Pollution and Environmental Contaminants	15.0	23B (Hamilton)
  This paper examines the ecological effects of chemical and non-chemical pollution. Analysing online databases and the scientific literature provides practical and theoretical understanding of the impacts of pollution and methods to measure such effects.
  ENVSC505	Environmental Systems: Biogeosciences across Scales	15.0	23A (Hamilton)
  This paper examines how core concepts in the multidisciplinary field of biogeochemistry provide a systems understanding across scales.
  ENVSC592	Dissertation	60.0	23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
  A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation - 60 points.
  ENVSC593	Environmental Sciences Thesis	90.0	23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
  An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research - 90 points.
  ENVSC594	Environmental Sciences Thesis	120.0	23I (Hamilton), 23I (Tauranga), 23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
  An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research - 120 points.
  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
  ENVSC800	Environmental Sciences MPhil Thesis	120.0	23X (Hamilton)
  No description available.

• 900 Level

  Code	Paper Title	Points	Occurrence / Location
  ENVSC900	Environmental Sciences PhD Thesis	120.0	23I (Hamilton), 23J (Hamilton), 23K (Hamilton), 23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
  No description available.