Population Studies and Demography (2024)

Population Studies cover a broad range of subjects including health, economics, geography and demography. It concerns the study of populations across such themes as ageing, social policy, fertility, mortality, migration, families and households, health equity, labour force and income and ethnicity. Within this broad group, demography is specifically concerned with the advanced, empirical analysis of population structure and trends. An important element is the application to social, economic environment and other areas of policy formulation and monitoring.


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  • Prescriptions for the PGCert(PopStud&Dem), PGDip(PopStud&Dem), BSocSc(Hons) and MSocSc

    To complete a BSocSc(Hons) in Population Studies and Demography, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including POPST509 (or equivalent) at least 30 points in research (normally POPST591) and at least 30 points from other POPST coded 500 level papers.

    To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the MSocSc in Population Studies and Demography, a student must have completed either:

    a) a BSocSc and have gained at least a B average in the 300 level papers, or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, or

    b) a BSocSc(Hons) in Population Studies and Demography (or equivalent) with at least second class honours (second division), or a PGDip in Population Studies and Demography (or equivalent) with and have gained at least a B average, and

    c) have satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject(s) being presented for the Degree, at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board.

    Completion requirements for the MSocSc in Population Studies and Demography vary according to admission criteria.

    Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study of the regulations for the MSocSc. Within the 180 points students must also complete ALPSS500, including POPST509 (or equivalent) and 45 points from POPST coded papers.

    Students admitted under b) above must complete 120 points, including at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study of the regulations for the MSocSc.

  • 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.

  • 500 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    ALPSS590Directed Study30.024X (Hamilton)
    This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their major under the guidance of academic staff.
    ALPSS591Research Project30.024X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga)
    A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 12,500 words maximum).
    ALPSS592Dissertation60.024X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga)
    A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 25,000 words maximum).
    GEOGY520Human Dimensions of Environmental Change30.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper examines the increasing risks imposed on human communities by global environmental change. The paper establishes a platform for the critical analysis of human-environment relations by introducing students to important theoretical developments including the role of culture-nature dualisms, theories on population-environme...
    GEOGY558Applied Geographic Information Systems for Research and Planning15.024A (Hamilton)
    GIS is used widely in a range of industries and government agencies, and graduates competent in GIS are sort after for employment. This paper is designed as an introduction to GIS for graduate students and is co-taught with GEOGY328. It covers all aspects of GIS analysis, including remote sensing and model building. ArcGIS Pro is u...
    MAORI571Decolonising Theory and Indigenous Studies30.024B (Online)
    A seminar programme on indigenous consciousness, knowledge, values and ethics and their applications to contemporary issues such as research ethics, environmental values and cultural practices.
    PACIS500Critical Pacific Studies30.024B (Hamilton)
    This paper provides an opportunity to critically engage the foundational ideas, texts, theoretical work, methods and perspectives of Pacific studies. These will be considered in the light of the history, politics, tensions, and potential of Pacific studies as a discipline.
    POLSC501Policy Analysis: Theory and Practice30.024A (Hamilton)
    This paper introduces students to the fundamentals of policy analysis, and develops skills for higher-level research in public policy. A key focus is developing critical awareness of policy processes, of the drivers of change, and of the role of both 'evidence' and public participation in policy-making, in the pursuit of inclusive ...
    POPST500Official Social Statistics15.024X (Hamilton) & 24X (Online)
    This paper provides an overview of key areas of Official Statistics. Topics covered include data sources; legal and ethical framework of official statistics; introductory demography; collection and analysis of health, social and economic data; data visualisation; data matching and integration; the system of National Accounts.
    POPST501Population Health and Equity30.0No occurrences
    This paper explores population health in Aotearoa/New Zealand and internationally, emphasising the broader determinants of wellbeing and equity. It introduces aspects of epidemiology, considers historical, indigenous and contemporary perspectives of health, and explores relationships between health, community and society.
    POPST507Family and Whānau Demography30.0No occurrences
    This paper introduces students to key theories and contemporary debates in the field of family demography. Particular emphasis will be placed on applying a critical population lens that can be used to understand demographic phenomena. The classes are seminar style and comprise a blend of structured lectures and in-class discussions focused on weekly readings drawn from Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. Particular attention is given to the demography of indigenous populations and ethnic racial-minorities.
    POPST509Research Methods for Population Analysis15.024B (Hamilton) & 24B (Online)
    This paper provides students with hands-on experience conducting population research, working with real world data to analyse to investigate population issues. Students will gain a sound understanding of how to access, analyse and interpret data and how to communicate their findings, skills directly applicable to a range of policy,...
    POPST593Population Studies and Demography Thesis90.024X (Hamilton)
    An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research on a demographic or population studies topic.
  • 800 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    POPST800Population Studies and Demography MPhil Thesis120.024X (Hamilton)
    No description available.
  • 900 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    POPST900Population Studies and Demography PhD Thesis120.024I (Hamilton), 24J (Hamilton), 24K (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton)
    No description available.

2024 Catalogue of Papers information current as of : 12 March 2024 7:59pm

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