BSc(Tech) - Earth Sciences as a major
Major, Second Major
The Bachelor of Science (Technology) degree provides you with an opportunity to gain practical, relevant work experience as part of your undergraduate degree. This will help you to step into the professional world in your chosen career and successfully integrates theoretical learning with hands-on experience.
The demand for experts in Earth Sciences continues to grow as we look to better manage our soil, water, minerals, energy and coastal and marine resources, as well as understand natural hazards such as floods, earthquakes, tsunami, landslides and volcanic eruptions.
Apply to enrol
Key information
| Years: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Points: | 360 |
| Start Dates: | Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July) |
| Estimated Fees* (Domestic): | $7,608 per year |
| Estimated Fees* (International): | $38,305 per year |
| Entry Requirements: | Undergraduate International |
| Area of Study: | |
| All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). *Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. | |
Career opportunities
- Coastal Engineer
- Coastal Resource Manager
- Engineering Geologist
- Environmental Consultant
- Geologist
- Hydrologist
- Soil Conservator
- Volcanologist
- Water Resource Manager
- Hazard Manager
Degree Planner
Degree planner — BSc(Tech) in Earth Sciences
If no point value is listed, papers are worth 15 points. This structure applies to study starting in 2021.
Year 1
One from List A:
Science Fundamentals
One from List A:
Science Fundamentals
One from List C:
Science Numeracy
Elective
Elective
Year 2
200 level
EARTH paper
200 level
EARTH paper
200 level
EARTH paper
200 level
EARTH paper
One from List C:
Science Numeracy
Elective
Elective
Year 3
300 level
EARTH paper
300 level
EARTH paper
300 level
EARTH paper
300 level
Science paper
Elective
Elective
- Major
- Compulsory
- Elective
- Placement
200 level EARTH papers
Choose 60 points from:
- EARTH211 Earth Resources and Materials
- EARTH221 Soil Science
- EARTH231 Water Resource, Weather and Climate
- EARTH241 Oceanography
- EARTH251 Applied Earth Sciences
300 level EARTH papers
Choose 45 points from:
This information is provisional and subject to change.BSc(Tech) Papers
Lists A and C
List A: Science Fundamentals
Choose three papers (45 points) from the following:
- APHYS111 Physics in Context
- BIOEB101 Concepts of Biology
- BIOEB102 Introduction to Ecology and Biodiversity
- BIOMO101 Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology
- BIOMD101 Introduction to Human Biology
- CHEMY100 Chemistry in Context
- CHEMY101 Structure and Spectroscopy
- CHEMY102 Chemical Reactivity
- CLIMT101 Introduction to Climate Change
- EARTH101 Introduction to Earth System Sciences
- EARTH102 Discovering Planet Earth
- ENGEN111 Electricity and Electronics
- ENGEN112 Materials Science and Engineering
- ENGEN180 Foundations of Engineering
- ENVSC101 Environmental Science
- PHYSC100 General Physics
List C: Science Numeracy
Choose two papers (30 points) from the following:
- COMPX101 Introduction to Programming
or COMPX102 Object-Oriented Programming
or ENGEN103 Engineering Computing - MATHS101 Introduction to Calculus
or ENGEN101 Engineering Mathematics 1A - MATHS102 Introduction to Algebra
or ENGEN102 Engineering Mathematics 1B - MATHS135 Discrete Structures
- MATHS165 General Mathematics
- MATHS168 Preparatory Mathematics
- PHYSC100 General Physics
or PHYSC101 Physics for Engineers and Scientists
or ENGEN110 Engineering Mechanics - DATAX111 Statistics for Science
or DATAX121 Introduction to Statistical Methods - CHEMY202 Physical Chemistry
or CHEMY204 Analytical Chemistry - COMPX201 Data Structures and Algorithms
or COMPX202 Mobile Computing and Software Architecture
or COMPX223 Database Practice and Experience
or COMPX241 Software Engineering Development
or COMPX242 Software Engineering Process
or CSMAX101 The World of Data - ENGEN201 Engineering Mathematics 2
- Any 200-level MATHS paper
- Any 200-level DATAX paper
Papers
Papers available within Earth Sciences
Earth Sciences offers a broad understanding of Earth's landscape features and processes and includes a range of branches of the subject, including soil science, hydrology, geomorphology, physical geography, volcanology, sedimentary geology, coastal marine studies, engineering geology and environmental science.
Earth 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)). Earth Sciences may also be taken as a second major in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.
To complete Earth Sciences as a single major for the BCC, BSc and the BSc(Tech), students must gain 135 points, including EARTH101, EARTH102, 60 points from EARTH211, EARTH221, EARTH231, EARTH241, EARTH251, and at least 45 points from 300-level Earth Sciences papers.
To complete Earth Sciences as part of a double major for the BCC, BSc, BSc(Tech) or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points, including EARTH101, EARTH102, 60 points from EARTH211, EARTH221, EARTH231, EARTH241, EARTH251, and at least 30 points from 300-level Earth Sciences papers.
Students with a special interest in physical geography should consult with the subject convenor before selecting their papers. The majority of papers in Earth Sciences include both laboratory practical and field work.
Further information regarding papers, staff and research details can be found in brochures available from the School of Science office or website.
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| EARTH101 | Introduction to Earth System Sciences - Pūtaiao Pūnaha Whenua | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (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... | |||
| EARTH102 | Discovering Planet Earth - Tūhuratia Papatūānuku | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| This paper explores the Earth's interior and its dynamic interaction with the crust, including: the major rocks and minerals; interpreting the rock record and geologic maps; the geological time scale and fossils; plate tectonics; volcanism; earthquakes. He tuhura no tenei pepa i te kopu o Papatuanuku me tona pahekoheko hihiri i te ... | |||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| EARTH211 | Earth Resources and Materials | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| An introduction to the nature, composition and origin of Earth materials and resources. Topics covered include mineral properties and their uses; process origins of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks; and the importance of Earth materials as a societal resource. The paper also encompasses the petrographic and analytical cha... | |||
| EARTH221 | Soil Science | 15.0 | 24B (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 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| Introduction to atmospheric and hydrological processes affecting weather and climate in Aotearoa, including the distribution of water in space and time. Topics include mid-latitude weather and atmospheric precipitation processes and how they interact with the land to affect hydrological regimes across Aotearoa, including the potent... | |||
| EARTH241 | Oceanography | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (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 | |||
| EARTH251 | Applied Earth Sciences | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| A field-based paper involving data collection and spatial analysis across several Earth Science sub-disciplines to determine the processes operating on our landscape. This includes geological mapping, geomorphological analysis in the field and from aerial images, stream gauging, as well as soil characterization and mapping. The pap... | |||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| EARTH311 | Volcanology | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| A study of pyroclastic rocks, physical volcanology, volcanic hazards, the origin of magmas, crystallisation of rock-forming minerals and phase equilibria, petrology and trace element geochemistry of volcanic rocks, and volcanic resources. | |||
| EARTH312 | Sedimentary Geology | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| This paper explores the links between sedimentary rocks and past environments through two major strands: reconstructing depositional environments and understanding the effects of sea-level change on sedimentary processes (sequence stratigraphy). A third strand explores the environmental and economic aspects of sedimentary geology, ... | |||
| EARTH313 | Engineering Geology | 15.0 | 24A (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 identified in engineering or environmental work. This paper gives an introduction to the field of engineering geology. Topics covered include: landslide processes and t... | |||
| EARTH322 | Soil and Water Management | 15.0 | 24A (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 | 24B (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 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (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. | |||
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| EARTH501 | Volcanic Techniques and Applications | 15.0 | 24B (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 | 24A (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 | 24B (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 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| A paper that builds on the foundational knowledge of sedimentary geology established at the undergraduate level. It focuses on examining the application of sedimentological, stratigraphical, and geophysical principles to mapping Earth materials and building cross sections through sedimentary basins. | |||
| EARTH592 | Dissertation | 60.0 | 24X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | |||
| EARTH593 | Earth Sciences Thesis | 90.0 | 24X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | |||
| EARTH594 | Earth Sciences Thesis | 120.0 | 24X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | |||
| ENVSC503 | Greenhouse Gas Fluxes from Land | 15.0 | 24A (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. | |||
| SCIEN512 | Data Analysis and Experimental Design | 15.0 | 24A (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 | 24A (Hamilton), 24A (Tauranga), 24B (Hamilton), 24B (Tauranga), 24C (Hamilton) & 24C (Tauranga) |
| No description available. | |||
800 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| EARTH800 | Earth Sciences MPhil Thesis | 120.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | |||
900 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| EARTH900 | Earth Sciences PhD Thesis | 120.0 | 24I (Hamilton), 24J (Hamilton), 24K (Hamilton), 24X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga) |
| No description available. | |||
Scholarships and prizes
Selected scholarships for Earth Sciences students.
New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.
Broad Memorial Fund Not currently accepting applications
For students who are enrolled full-time or part-time in the thesis year of a masters degree (e.g. MSc, MSc(Research)), MPhil or PhD qualification in Earth Sciences.
Terry Healy Memorial Award Accepting applications
For students who are currently enrolled part- or full-time in a masters or doctoral degree in an Earth Sciences subject and have not previously received the Award.
Preference will be given to students involved in marine sciences, but applications will be considered for all areas appropriate to the current research activities of the Earth Sciences subject in the School of Science.
Closing Date: 31 October 2023
University of Waikato Research Masters Scholarship Accepting applications
For students enrolled, or intending to enrol, in a 500-level thesis of 90-or 120-points as part of their first master's degree. International students must have completed at least 120-points of study at a New Zealand university in order to be eligible for this Scholarship.
Closing Date: 31 October 2023
Looking for more scholarships?
Contacts
School of Science
Phone:
Email: [email protected]
Website: sci.waikato.ac.nz
Facebook: facebook.com/WaikatoScience