Environmental Sciences Subject regulations
Environmental Sciences are interdisciplinary with a focus on ecology, soil and water environments and
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.
Other qualifications
Prescriptions for:
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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 STEM Office.
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PGCert(EnvSci), PGDip(EnvSci), BSc(Hons), MSc and MSc(Res) 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 SCIEN520 (45 points), SCIEN523 (45 points), ENVSC592 (60 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, SCIEN501, SCIEN502, SCIEN503, SCIEN511, SCIEN512 and SCIEN589.
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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.
Environmental Sciences papers
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
BIOEB102
Introduction to Ecology and Biodiversity - M膩tai Hauropi a Kanorau Koiora
An introduction to the principles of ecology and biodiversity. Topics include population, community and ecosystem ecology, conservation biology, and... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) & 26B (Tauranga) |
|
CHEMY100
Chemistry in Context - Mat奴 o te Ao
This paper covers a broad range of chemical concepts that are fundamental to the sciences and engineering. A strong emphasis is made to teach... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26A (Tauranga) |
|
CHEMY101
Chemistry: A Toolkit for Science - M膩tai Mat奴: He taputapu taiao
A theoretical and practical course covering aspects of analytical and inorganic chemistry. This course is required for the chemistry major. |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
EARTH101
Introduction to Earth, Ocean, and Environmental Sciences - Ng膩 P奴taiao Whenua, Moana, me te Taiao
A lecture and laboratory paper that explores the interacting processes that affect the surface of the Earth, producing landforms and resources, with... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26A (Tauranga) |
|
ENVSC101
Environmental Science - P奴taiao Taiao
A scientific study of the interaction between humans and the environment including climate change, utilisation and exploitation of natural resources... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) & 26B (Tauranga) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
BIOEB202
Principles of Ecology
This paper covers the principles of ecology, including adaptation to the environment, intra- and inter-specific interactions, community and ecosystem... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) & 26B (Tauranga) |
|
BIOMO202
Genetics
This paper deals with genetics in the widest sense from the molecular and cellular to the applied and evolutionary. Both prokaryote and eukaryote... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
BIOMO203
Microbiology
This paper will focus on microbial cell structure, function, and metabolism. Content and context will be drawn from both human and environmental... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
CHEMY204
Analytical Chemistry
This paper covers aspects of analytical chemistry including high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrometry (MS), sample collection... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
EARTH221
Soil Science
An introduction to the nature, formation, and classification of soils, their physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological properties, and issues... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) |
|
EARTH231
Water Resources, Weather and Climate
Introduction to atmospheric and hydrological processes affecting water resources in Aotearoa / New Zealand, including the distribution of water in... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
EARTH241
Oceanography
This paper introduces students to the broad scale properties, issues, and research importance of the global ocean via the main disciplines of... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) & 26B (Tauranga) |
|
ENVSC201
Environmental Monitoring
An introduction to reasons for, and design and implementation of, environmental monitoring in New Zealand. Skills in data collection, management... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) & 26B (Tauranga) |
|
ENVSC202
Environmental Chemistry and Geochemistry
This paper is a broad introduction into environmental chemistry and geochemistry including the formation of the elements, chemical evolution of... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26A (Tauranga) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
BIOEB303
Terrestrial Ecology
This paper explores ecological theory to understand the dynamics, functioning, and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems in New Zealand and across... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
BIOEB304
Freshwater Ecology
Freshwater ecology is the study of how organisms in freshwater ecosystems interact with each other and their environment. This paper will introduce... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26A (Tauranga) |
|
BIOEB305
Marine Ecology
An introduction to the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems. The paper explores the fundamentals of ecology (e.g. disturbance/recovery... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) & 26B (Tauranga) |
|
CHEMY304
Advanced Analytical Chemistry
This paper covers advanced aspects of analytical chemistry including inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Mossbauer and Raman... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) |
|
EARTH313
Engineering Geology
Engineering Geology is the application of the principles of Earth Sciences to ensure hazards associated with landslides or unfavourable soil and rock... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
EARTH322
Soil and Land Management
This paper integrates an understanding of land and soil processes that occur at paddock to catchment to national scales with an emphasis on how land... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
EARTH331
Hydrology
This paper examines aspects of the hydrological cycle at a regional scale, focussing on catchments in the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) |
|
EARTH341
Coastal Oceanography
This paper focuses on the physical oceanography of the coastal zone. Topics include estuarine circulation, wind driven currents on the shelf... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26A (Tauranga) |
|
ENVPL303
Environmental Assessment and Policy
This is a project-based paper that provides an understanding of how environmental assessments are prepared, and used to assist decision-making and... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
LEGAL434
Environmental Law
This paper examines the foundations and principles of environmental and resource management law, their expression in key areas (biodiversity, climate... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26A (Tauranga) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
BIOEB503
Terrestrial Ecology
This paper aims to develop students' understanding of ecological theory with a focus on terrestrial ecosystems, and of how theory can inform... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
BIOEB504
Freshwater Ecology
This paper explores how advances in ecological theory and scientific methods can deliver new insights into the structure and functioning of... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
BIOEB505
Coastal and Estuarine Ecology
This paper emphasises multi-disciplinary science to better understand the functioning of soft-sediment ecosystems. The course will cover ecological... |
15 | 26X (Block) |
|
BIOEB506
Environmental Physiology
An examination of selected topics in environmental physiology, considering how animals and plants interact with their environment and influence... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) |
|
BIOMO503
Microbiomes
This paper explores microbiomes in the environment and in association with multicellular organisms, including humans, to understand their critical... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
BIOMO512
Molecular Techniques for Environmental Science
This paper will introduce students of diverse scientific backgrounds to current and emerging molecular analytic and diagnostic techniques used across... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) |
|
CHEMY503
Analytical Methodology
An advanced study of analytical methodology and instrumental techniques, this will investigate sample extraction techniques, and instrument choice... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
EARTH501
Volcanic Techniques and Applications
This paper investigates geological techniques used to reconstruct eruption processes and histories, and their application to society, including... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) |
|
EARTH503
Coastal Processes: Analysis and Prediction
This paper considers techniques to predict coastal processes for management and research, including assessment of which processes to observe, how to... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
EARTH504
Geohazard Risk
This seminar paper evaluates the methodologies used to characterise risk associated with geohazards, and assesses the impact of strategies employed... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) |
|
EARTH506
Advanced Sedimentary Geology
A paper that builds on the foundational knowledge of sedimentary geology established at the undergraduate level. It focuses on examining the... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
EARTH508
Rock Failure
This paper considers structural geology and rock mechanics within Engineering Geology, including strength of intact rocks, rock joints and fault... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) |
|
ENVSC502
Conservation and Restoration: Theory and Practice
This paper examines the application of scientific principles and theories in conservation biology and restoration ecology, with particular reference... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
ENVSC503
Greenhouse Gas Fluxes from Land
Processes and factors controlling exchanges of water, carbon and greenhouse gases in natural or managed ecosystems, methodologies to quantify them... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
ENVSC504
Pollution and Environmental Contaminants
This paper examines the ecological effects of chemical and non-chemical pollution. Analysing online databases and the scientific literature provides... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) |
|
ENVSC505
Environmental Systems: Biogeosciences across Scales
This paper examines how core concepts in the multidisciplinary field of biogeochemistry provide a systems understanding across scales. |
15 | 26B (Online) |
|
ENVSC592
Dissertation
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation - 60 points. |
60 | 26X (Hamilton) & 26X (Tauranga) |
|
ENVSC594
Environmental Sciences Thesis
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research - 120 points. |
120 | 26X (Hamilton) & 26X (Tauranga) |
|
SCIEN501
Science Research Methods
This paper is an introduction to professional practice as a scientist and is required for MSc(Res) degree students. This paper may be taken by MSc... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26A (Tauranga) & 26B (Hamilton) & 26B (Tauranga) |
|
SCIEN502
Science and M膩tauranga M膩ori
This paper will provide science students with a foundational understanding of both scientific and M膩tauranga M膩ori perspectives on topical issues and... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26A (Tauranga) |
|
SCIEN503
Science Communication in Society and the Workplace
This paper discusses ways in which science can be communicated by scientists to others. It includes interacting with mainstream media, how to... |
15 | 26C (Hamilton) |
|
SCIEN512
Data Analysis and Experimental Design
This paper covers aspects of research design for experiments, and methods for analysis of scientific data using modern statistical techniques. |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
SCIEN520
Dissertation
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, in the form of an individual project based on the analysis of existing data. |
45 | 26X (Hamilton) & 26X (Tauranga) |
|
SCIEN523
Dissertation
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, in the form of a project based on the analysis of existing data. All students... |
45 | 26C (Hamilton) |
|
SCIEN589
Directed Study
Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26A (Tauranga) & 26B (Hamilton) & 26B (Tauranga) & 26C (Hamilton) & 26C (Tauranga) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
| ENVSC800 Environmental Sciences MPhil Thesis | 120 | 26X (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
| ENVSC900 Environmental Sciences PhD Thesis | 120 | 26I (Hamilton) & 26I (Tauranga) & 26J (Hamilton) & 26K (Hamilton) & 26X (Hamilton) & 26X (Tauranga) |
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BIOEB102 Introduction to Ecology and Biodiversity - M膩tai Hauropi a Kanorau Koiora
An introduction to the principles of ecology and biodiversity. Topics include population, community and ecosystem ecology, conservation biology, and...
Points 15This paper covers a broad range of chemical concepts that are fundamental to the sciences and engineering. A strong emphasis is made to teach...
Points 15A theoretical and practical course covering aspects of analytical and inorganic chemistry. This course is required for the chemistry major.
He pepa...Points 15A lecture and laboratory paper that explores the interacting processes that affect the surface of the Earth, producing landforms and resources, with...
Points 15A scientific study of the interaction between humans and the environment including climate change, utilisation and exploitation of natural resources...
Points 15 -
BIOEB202 Principles of Ecology
This paper covers the principles of ecology, including adaptation to the environment, intra- and inter-specific interactions, community and ecosystem...
Points 15This paper deals with genetics in the widest sense from the molecular and cellular to the applied and evolutionary. Both prokaryote and eukaryote...
Points 15This paper will focus on microbial cell structure, function, and metabolism. Content and context will be drawn from both human and environmental...
Points 15This paper covers aspects of analytical chemistry including high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrometry (MS), sample collection...
Points 15An introduction to the nature, formation, and classification of soils, their physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological properties, and issues...
Points 15Introduction to atmospheric and hydrological processes affecting water resources in Aotearoa / New Zealand, including the distribution of water in...
Points 15This paper introduces students to the broad scale properties, issues, and research importance of the global ocean via the main disciplines of...
Points 15An introduction to reasons for, and design and implementation of, environmental monitoring in New Zealand. Skills in data collection, management...
Points 15This paper is a broad introduction into environmental chemistry and geochemistry including the formation of the elements, chemical evolution of...
Points 15 -
BIOEB303 Terrestrial Ecology
This paper explores ecological theory to understand the dynamics, functioning, and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems in New Zealand and across...
Points 15Freshwater ecology is the study of how organisms in freshwater ecosystems interact with each other and their environment. This paper will introduce...
Points 15An introduction to the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems. The paper explores the fundamentals of ecology (e.g. disturbance/recovery...
Points 15This paper covers advanced aspects of analytical chemistry including inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Mossbauer and Raman...
Points 15Engineering Geology is the application of the principles of Earth Sciences to ensure hazards associated with landslides or unfavourable soil and rock...
Points 15This paper integrates an understanding of land and soil processes that occur at paddock to catchment to national scales with an emphasis on how land...
Points 15This paper examines aspects of the hydrological cycle at a regional scale, focussing on catchments in the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand...
Points 15This paper focuses on the physical oceanography of the coastal zone. Topics include estuarine circulation, wind driven currents on the shelf...
Points 15This is a project-based paper that provides an understanding of how environmental assessments are prepared, and used to assist decision-making and...
Points 15 -
LEGAL434 Environmental Law
This paper examines the foundations and principles of environmental and resource management law, their expression in key areas (biodiversity, climate...
Points 15 -
BIOEB503 Terrestrial Ecology
This paper aims to develop students' understanding of ecological theory with a focus on terrestrial ecosystems, and of how theory can inform...
Points 15This paper explores how advances in ecological theory and scientific methods can deliver new insights into the structure and functioning of...
Points 15This paper emphasises multi-disciplinary science to better understand the functioning of soft-sediment ecosystems. The course will cover ecological...
Points 15An examination of selected topics in environmental physiology, considering how animals and plants interact with their environment and influence...
Points 15This paper explores microbiomes in the environment and in association with multicellular organisms, including humans, to understand their critical...
Points 15This paper will introduce students of diverse scientific backgrounds to current and emerging molecular analytic and diagnostic techniques used across...
Points 15An advanced study of analytical methodology and instrumental techniques, this will investigate sample extraction techniques, and instrument choice...
Points 15This paper investigates geological techniques used to reconstruct eruption processes and histories, and their application to society, including...
Points 15This paper considers techniques to predict coastal processes for management and research, including assessment of which processes to observe, how to...
Points 15This seminar paper evaluates the methodologies used to characterise risk associated with geohazards, and assesses the impact of strategies employed...
Points 15A paper that builds on the foundational knowledge of sedimentary geology established at the undergraduate level. It focuses on examining the...
Points 15This paper considers structural geology and rock mechanics within Engineering Geology, including strength of intact rocks, rock joints and fault...
Points 15This paper examines the application of scientific principles and theories in conservation biology and restoration ecology, with particular reference...
Points 15Processes and factors controlling exchanges of water, carbon and greenhouse gases in natural or managed ecosystems, methodologies to quantify them...
Points 15This paper examines the ecological effects of chemical and non-chemical pollution. Analysing online databases and the scientific literature provides...
Points 15This paper examines how core concepts in the multidisciplinary field of biogeochemistry provide a systems understanding across scales.
Points 15A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation - 60 points.
Points 60An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research - 120 points.
Points 120This paper is an introduction to professional practice as a scientist and is required for MSc(Res) degree students. This paper may be taken by MSc...
Points 15This paper will provide science students with a foundational understanding of both scientific and M膩tauranga M膩ori perspectives on topical issues and...
Points 15This paper discusses ways in which science can be communicated by scientists to others. It includes interacting with mainstream media, how to...
Points 15This paper covers aspects of research design for experiments, and methods for analysis of scientific data using modern statistical techniques.
Points 15A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, in the form of an individual project based on the analysis of existing data.
Points 45A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, in the form of a project based on the analysis of existing data. All students...
Points 45Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff.
Points 15 -
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ENVSC900 Environmental Sciences PhD ThesisPoints 120
2026 Subject regulation information current as at 6 May 2026 01:00am