Semester Two 2012 Postgraduate courses

This course addresses the theoretical and practical aspects of adaptive management in complex social-ecological systems. Key concepts discussed include ecosystem complexity, ecosystem services, vulnerability, resilience, scientific uncertainty, precautionary principle, and adaptive management.

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

Coordinator: Luitgard Schwendenmann
Format: one 3 hour lecture per week for the first six weeks of Semester Two
Points: 15
Assessment: 50 % coursework, 50 % final examination
Prerequisites: none
Programme: this is one of the core options for the Environmental Management programme
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO
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A review of advanced principles, concepts and approaches to the sustainable management of natural resources. Case studies emphasise the need for conflict resolution, equitable allocation, and decentralised decision-making to address the social and environmental impacts of resource utilisation.

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

Coordinator: Vicky Walters
Format: one 2 hour lecture per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 50 % coursework, 50 % final examination
Prerequisites: none
Programme: this is one of the core options for both the Environmental Management and Geography programmes
Timetable S2 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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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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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: TBA
Format: taught as a four day intensive course, and usually offered in the first week of the Semester Two mid-semester break
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
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO
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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, plus a half-day session post-field trip; and usually offered in the second half of Semester Two
Points: 15
Assessment: 70% coursework, 30% final examination
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
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO
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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 ten 3 hour lectures, plus a ½ day workshop and a one day field trip, and usually offered in Semester Two
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
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO
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Examines globalising economic processes, localising forces, and the practices of economic actors in the production of emerging economic spaces. The course considers contemporary analytical and conceptual debates, including global value chains, geographic imaginaries, new economies, and diverse economies.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Richard Le Heron
Format: one 2 hour lecture per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% final examination
Prerequisites: none
Restriction: GEOG 724
Programme: this is one of the core options for the Geography programme
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO
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'Development' is place-dependent and takes place at a range of scales. This course considers economic, socio-cultural, geopolitical and environmental transformations of nations, regions, communities, and emerging or post-foundational political spaces focussing on examples from Pacific, Asia and New Zealand.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Nicolas Lewis
Format: one 2 hour lecture per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% final examination
Prerequisites: none
Restriction: GEOG 721
Programme: this is one of the core options for the Geography programme
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO
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Introduction to field of cartography, drawing contrasts with new approaches to geovisualisation facilitated by information visualisation and statistical graphics. Human perceptual and cognitive systems as related to visual displays. Principles of sound perceptual and cognitive map design. Planning, creation and delivery of cartographic and visualization-based projects. Review of emerging and future trends in this fast-changing field.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Pip Forer
Format: one 2 hour lecture per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 60% coursework, 40% final examination
Prerequisites: none
Programme: this is one of the core options for the Geographic Information Science and Geography programmes, and an approved course for the Environmental Management programme
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO
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Geothermal systems are dynamic and of vital significance to national energy requirements. The course overviews the geologic, hydrologic and geochemical features of geothermal systems with emphasis on those occurring in New Zealand. Topics include the geologic setting of geothermal fields, exploration, heat and mass transfer, fluid compositions and boiling and mixing, geology of reservoirs, fluid/mineral equilibria, alteration and reservoir geothermometry.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Paul Hoskin
Format: one 2 hour lecture per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 100% coursework
Prerequisites: none
Programme: this is one of the core options for both the Geology and Applied Geology programmes
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO
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Introduction to contemporary methods used to identify and assess natural hazards, and the techniques used for the probabilistic forecasting, spatial representation and communication of hazards. The course also explores the relationship between hazard information, risk mitigation and emergency management. There will be a strong focus on case studies.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Jan Lindsay
Format: one 2 hour lecture per week, plus one 2 day field trip
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Prerequisites: none
Programme: this is one of the core options for the Geology, Applied Geology and Geography programmes
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO
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New Zealand is an ideal location in which to investigate the interplay between tectonics and geomorphic processes. This will be demonstrated by combining relevant cases studies and field practise whereby students will develop skills in report writing and handling of some of the data, literature and tools necessary to conduct field research in active tectonics and landform generation.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Julie Rowland
Format: one 2-hour lecture per week, plus a 3-5 day field trip - timing to be negotiated
Points: 15
Assessment: 60% coursework, 40% final examination
Prerequisites: none
Restriction: GEOG 743, GEOLOGY 712, GEOLOGY 773
Programme: this is one of the core options for the Geology, Applied Geology and Geography programmes
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO
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Understanding how and why volcanoes erupt from magma processes in mantle to eruption at the surface. All tectonic settings and explosive and effusive processes are examined. Volcanic hazards and resource exploration in volcanic terrain is also covered.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Phil Shane
Format: one 2 hour lecture per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Prerequisites: none
Restriction: GEOLOGY 751
Programme: this is one of the core options for the Geology programme
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO
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An integrated account of aspects of advanced sedimentology from sediment source to sink. Critical examination of recent and ongoing, pure and applied, research into the dynamics of sedimentary environments and their recognition in the ancient record.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Lorna Strachan
Format: 2 hours a week plus a half day fieldtrip
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Prerequisites: no formal prerequisite, but knowledge of sedimentology and sedimentary processes at the level covered in GEOL 202 and/or GEOG 201 will be assumed
Programme: this is one of the core options for both the Geology and Applied Geology programmes
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO
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This course will provide an understanding of the principals and applications of physical and chemical hydrogeology in the environment. The course is structured around understanding the conceptual linkage of groundwater to geology, and acquiring the information needed to solve these problems using analytical and numerical models.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Barry O'Connor
Format: one 2-hour lecture per week plus laboratories
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Prerequisites: none
Programme: this is one of the core options for both the Geology programme.
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO

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