Environmental Science courses

Environmental Science postgraduate courses

• ENVSCI 701 Research Practice in Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences
• ENVSCI 704 Modelling of Environmental and Social Systems
• ENVSCI 711 Assessing Environmental Effects
• ENVSCI 713 Air Quality and Atmospheric Processes
• ENVSCI 714 Water Quality Science
• ENVSCI 716 Aquatic Ecological Assessment
• ENVSCI 733 Biodiversity Management and Conservation
• ENVSCI 734 Landscape and Restoration Ecology
• ENVSCI 737 Applied Terrestrial Ecology
• ENVSCI 738 Water and Society
• ENVSCI 796 A&B MSc Thesis in Environmental Science (Full Time)
• ENVSCI 799 A&B MSc Thesis in Environmental Science (Part Time)

In addition, Environmental Science students can choose to take the following courses:

• ENVMGT 742 Ecosystem Complexity and Adaptive Management
• ENVMGT 744 Resource Management
• GEOG 745 Hydrogeomorphology and River Restoration
• GEOG 746 Dynamic Coasts
• GEOG 748 Fragile Coasts, Vulnerable Communities
• GEOG 749 Climate and Society
• GEOG 771 Spatial Analysis and Geocomputation
• GEOL 705 Geohazards

Programme description

At postgraduate level, Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary, applied scientific study of natural and managed environments. The application of your existing science skills and the scientific approach to environmental problem solving is emphasized. The central philosophy is that it provides the knowledge to enable society to sustainably manage the environment, through education and research. The programme includes aspects of environmental effects assessment and monitoring, water quality, air quality, freshwater and terrestrial ecology, environment restoration, sustainable management of ecosystems, rare species management, biodiversity monitoring, pest invasions, risk assessment, waste minimization and contaminated site assessment.

Some courses are delivered as a learning module (at least one full week of lectures, followed by a self directed research project) to allow attendance by people in full-time jobs and those from out of Auckland. Core courses are, however, given in a one day per week format.

Changing courses

Choose carefully at the beginning.

It is however, possible to add and delete courses within the first two weeks of each semester, without penalty (ie tuition fees are refunded for deletions). After this time, you may not enrol in new courses for that semester, and if you are unable to continue a course a “withdrawal” appears on your academic record.

Timetable information

Please be aware timetable information provided below is for general guidance and times are subject to change. While we endeavour to keep this as up to date as possible, students should NOT base their enrolment on the timetable information provided below. All students must check on SSO (Student Services Online) as this contains the latest and most accurate timetable information.

Visit Student Services Online

Students will consider multiple ways of knowing and understanding research in a broader context and in relation to disciplinary specific examples. Students will be challenged to critically analyse ways of understanding and thinking and use this knowledge to: assemble and represent information, perform analyses and predict outcomes, validate or critique the process, and communicate or question findings.

This course is taught in: First Semester, City Campus (S1 C)

Coordinator: TBA
Format: weekly lectures and tutorials
Points: 15
Assessment: 100 % coursework
Prerequisites: none
Programme: this course is required for the following programmes: Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Geography, Geographical Information Science, Geology and Applied Geology
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO

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The following themes are emphasised: (i) building and using models to investigate environmental and social problems, (ii) understanding the utility of modelling in various disciplines, and (iii) appreciating how dynamic phenomena can be represented and analysed computationally. The course provides an understanding of modelling concepts, approaches and applications, and methods for determining the suitability of a particular modelling approach for a given task.

The Course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: George Perry, David O'Sullivan
Format: taught as four day intensive course, usually offered in the week before Semester Two starts
Points: 15
Assessment: 100 % coursework
Prerequisites: no formal requirement, but knowledge equivalent to that covered in courses such as STATS 101, MATH 108, GEOG 250, BIOSCI 209, ENVSCI 310 will be assumed
Programme: this is one of the core options for the Environmental Science, Geography and Geographic Information Science programmes
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO

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A focus on the interdisciplinary, scientific assessment of environmental activities within the New Zealand context. Methodologies used in the assessment, monitoring and regulation of environmental effects, trends and risks will be critically assessed. Aspects of the RMA, including consenting procedures and the role of public and professional participants in the process, will be discussed.

The Course is taught in: First Semester, City Campus (S1 C)

Coordinator: TBA
Format: taught as six 3 hour sessions, plus one field-day; and usually offered in the second-half of Semester One
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination or test
Prerequsites: no formal prerequisites, but graduate level scientific knowledge is assumed
Programme: this is a required course for the Environmental Science programme and an approved course for the Environmental Management programme
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO

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Monitoring, modelling and management will be considered with emphasis on air quality standards and guidelines and applications of science and technology to indoor and outdoor air pollution prevention, mitigation and remediation. Case studies and practical work will link the theoretical and practical aspects of air quality science.

The Course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2C).

Coordinator: Jenny Salmond
Format: taught as six 5 hour sessions, and usually offered in the second-half of Semester Two
Points: 15
Assessment: 60 % coursework, 40 % test or final examination
Prerequisites: none
Programme: this is one of the core options for both the Environmental Science and Geography programmes
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO

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An overview of all potential water contaminants, their sources and behaviour. Includes demonstrations of monitoring techniques and modelling systems for water quality impact prediction and assessment of effects for both point and non-point sources. Identification of major national and global water quality issues. Application of science and technology to water pollution assessment, prevention, and treatment. Case studies and practical (field and laboratory) work.

The Course is taught in: First Semester, City Campus (S1 C)

Coordinator: Kevin Simon
Format: Taught as a 4-day intensive course (2-5 April).
Points: 15
Assessment: 70 % coursework, 30 % test or final examination
Prerequisites: none
Programme: this is one of the core options for the Environmental Science programme

Application of science to freshwater ecological assessment, management and restoration. Assessment techniques and interpretation of risks associated with natural and anthropogenic disturbance of aquatic ecosystems. Monitoring and reporting of condition and health of aquatic environments. Relevant policy, strategic and legislative frameworks, and national and regional perspectives on applied freshwater management. Course includes case studies and practical work (including field trip).

The Course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Kevin Simon
Format: taught as a 4-day intensive course (27-30 August)
Points: 15
Assessment: 70% coursework, 30% test or final examination
Prerequisites: none, but an understanding equivalent to BIOSCI 330 is assumed
Programme: this is one of the core options for the Environmental Science programme

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The management of species, ecosystems and conservation areas, including potential synergies and conflicts between different uses. Biosecurity and the management of invasive species in a conservation context . Biodiversity management and conservation in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. National and international mechanisms for the sustainable management of natural resources

The Course is taught in: First Semester, Tamaki Campus (S1 T)

Coordinator: Luitgard Schwendenmann
Format: taught as a 4-day intensive course (12-15 March)
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Prerequisites: none, but an understanding equivalent to BIOSCI 394 is assumed
Programme: this is one of the core options for the Environmental Science programme and an approved course for the Environmental Management programme
Capacity: This course is limited to 45 students

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The integration of ecological principles and ecological services at the landscape level for both management and restoration. Topics include: the ecology of fragmented ecosystems such as demography, metapopulation issues, ecological genetics, biota-physical environment interactions, the consequences and techniques for restoration of damaged ecosystems and mitigation of the effects of development. Emphasis will be on sustainable solutions including biophysical, legal, social, cultural and economic considerations. Includes overnight field trip.

The Course is taught in: First Semester, City Campus (S1 C)

Coordinator: Neil Mitchell
Format: taught as a 3-day field trip, plus two full days post-field trip.
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Fieldtrip: A three day residential course based at the Leigh Marine Laboratory, (usually early May).
Prerequisites: ENVSCI 311 or other Stage III course in ecology or equivalent
Programme: this is one of the core options for the Environmental Science programme

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The dynamics of change in terrestrial ecosystems with a focus on forest and wetland environments. The effects of factors such as climate change and fire in New Zealand’s terrestrial ecosystems will be considered. Students will be introduced to modern methods for vegetation assessment and monitoring, including multivariate statistical methods. Students are required to participate in a residential field course as this is a major component of ENVSCI 737.

The Course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: George Perry
Format: taught as a 6-day field trip (9-14 September) plus a half-day session post-field trip and a full day session post-field trip
Points: 15
Assessment: 100% coursework
Prerequisites: no formal prerequisites but assumes knowledge of ecology equivalent to BIOSCI 394 or BIOSCI 396 and data analysis equivalent to GEOG 250 or BIOSCI 209
Programme: this is one of the core options for both the Environmental Science and Geography programmes, and an approved course for the Environmental Management programme
Capacity: this course is limited to 35 students

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How modern lifestyles influence, and are influenced by, water resources are explored to develop ideas for sustainable infrastructure in future settlements. The importance of human behaviour in water system function is unpacked along with mechanisms to influence those behaviours.

The Course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Sam Trowsdale
Format: taught as 3 hour lectures, plus two 1-day field trips
Points: 15
Assessment: 100% coursework
Prerequisites: none
Programme: this is one of the core options for both the Environmental Science and Geography programmes, and an approved course for the Environmental Management programme

Course homepage