BSc - Earth Sciences as a major
If you're intrigued by the natural world around you, or enjoy understanding how things work, Waikato's Bachelor of Science (BSc) is what you're looking for. Putting into practice what you learn in your lectures is a major part of this degree. You will gain hands-on experience with some of the most up-to-date and high-tech computing facilities and laboratory equipment.
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: | Semester A (February) and Semester B (July) |
| Fees (Domestic): | $7,130 (approx) per year |
| Fees (International): | $29,705-$31,795 per year |
| Entry Requirements: | Undergraduate International |
| Faculty: | |
| *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 in Earth Sciences
If no point value is listed, papers are worth 15 points. This structure applies to study starting in 2019.
Year 1
100 Level Science
List A
100 Level Science
List A
100 Level Science
List A
100 Level Science
List C
Elective
Elective
Year 2
100/200 Level
Science List C
Elective
Elective
Elective
Year 3
300 Level
EARTH Paper
300 Level
EARTH Paper
300 Level
EARTH Paper
Career Start
List B
Elective
Elective
Elective
- Major
- Elective
- Compulsory
300 Level EARTH papers
Choose 45 points from the following:
BSc Papers
Lists A, B and C
List A
Science electives: A range of STEM papers to broaden your scientific skill set.
Choose 45 points from the following:
- APHYS111 Physics in Context
- BIOEB101 Concepts of Biology
- BIOBE102 Introduction to Ecology and Biodiversity
- BIOMO101 Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology
- CHEMY100 Chemistry in Context
- CHEMY101 Structure and Spectroscopy
- CHEMY102 Chemical Reactivity
- 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
- PHILO102 Introduction to Logic
List B
Career Start papers: Project or research papers which draw on your experiences in the degree to prepare you for your chosen career.
Choose one from the following:
List C
Numeracy skills papers: Across your degree, you should take two papers which increases your confidence in quantitative science. In many cases this will be met through papers ordinarily selected.
Choose 30 points from the following:
- MATHS168 Preparatory Mathematics
- MATHS165 General Mathematics
- MATHS135 Discrete Structures
- MATHS101 Introduction to Calculus
or ENGEN184 Calculus for Engineers - MATHS102 Introduction to Algebra
or ENGEN183 Linear Algebra and Statistics for Engineers - COMPX101 Introduction to Computer Science
or ENGEN103 Engineering Computing - STATS111 Statistics for Science
or STATS121 Introduction to Statistical Methods - PHYSC100 General Physics
or PHYSC101 Physics for Engineers and Scientists
or ENGEN110 Engineering Mechanics - MATHS2XX Any 200 Level Mathematics
- STATS2XX Any 200 Level Statistics
- CHEMY202 Physical Chemistry
or CHEMY204 Analytical Chemistry - COMPX2XX Any 200 Level Computer Science
- EARTH251 Spatial Analysis in Geosciences
or ENVPL202 Cartography and Spatial Analysis - ENGEN201 Engineering Mathematics 2
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 major for the BSc and BSc(Tech) degrees. Earth Sciences may also be taken as a second major, subject to academic approval of the school of studies in which the student is enrolled.
To complete Earth Sciences as a single major, students must gain 135 points, including EARTH101, EARTH102, EARTH211, EARTH221, EARTH231 and EARTH241, and at least 45 points from 300-level Earth Sciences papers.
To complete Earth Sciences as part of a double major, students must gain 120 points, including EARTH101, EARTH102, EARTH211, EARTH221, EARTH231 and EARTH241, 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 is contained in brochures available from the School of Science office or website.
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| EARTH101 | Introduction to Earth System Sciences | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (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 | 20A (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. | ||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| EARTH211 | Earth Resources and Materials | 20A (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 ch... | ||
| EARTH221 | Soil Science | 20B (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 | 20A (Hamilton) |
| Introduction to physical processes that influence the distribution of water in space and time within Aotearoa-New Zealand. Topics include mid-latitude weather and atmospheric precipitation processes that ultimately affect the availability of water across Aotearoa-New Zealand's diverse landscapes: a description of surface water reso... | ||
| EARTH241 | Oceanography | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (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 | Spatial Analysis in Geosciences | 20A (Hamilton) |
| An introduction to quantitative spatial analysis in the geosciences, including production of maps and cross-sections of geomorphology and Earth materials from field and aerial image interpretation, use of 3D models of Earth materials, and an appreciation of volumes and stresses in the Earth's crust. | ||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| EARTH311 | Volcanology | 20A (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 geothermal and mineral resources. | ||
| EARTH312 | Sedimentary Geology | 20B (Hamilton) |
| The ultimate goal of sedimentary geology is to reconstruct the history of the Earth's surface. 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 stratig... | ||
| EARTH313 | Engineering Geology | 20A (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... | ||
| EARTH321 | Pedology and Land Evaluation | 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper comprises two parts that provide the fundamentals of pedology and examine its role in land-use related issues and land management. Part (1): the stratigraphy of soils, their formation and classification in New Zealand; the occurrence and variability spatially of soils, and how they can be mapped using classical and digit... | ||
| EARTH322 | Soil and Water Management | 20A (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 and Water Resources | 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces students to the techniques of both resource and hazard analysis of fresh water. There is focus on groundwater modelling for resource studies, at the regional level and for analysis of pumped wells. There are also aspects of surface water application, including hydro power studies. Hazard aspects will include t... | ||
| EARTH341 | Coastal Oceanography | 20A (Hamilton) |
| 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. | ||
| EARTH342 | Coastal Geomorphology and Management | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (Tauranga) |
| This paper focuses on understanding of coastal processes, sediments, and evolution of coastal landforms as a basis for coastal management. Topics covered include coastal sediments and processes; coastal landforms, their origin and evolution; coastal hazards and their mitigation; and case studies of coastal issues. | ||
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| EARTH501 | Volcanic Techniques and Applications | 20A (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. | ||
| EARTH502 | Land and Soil: Resources and Risks | 20A (Hamilton) |
| In this paper students initially gain practical experience in large-scale soil mapping and in evaluating land-use capability (LUC) on a research farm. They then examine various issues associated with land use, especially its intensification, including the management of farm dairy effluent, soil degradation, and soil contamination. ... | ||
| EARTH503 | Coastal Processes: Analysis and Prediction | 20A (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 | 20B (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. | ||
| EARTH505 | River Dynamics | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This module investigates the processes that control the evolution of river form and structure over timescales of storm events to decades, through a combination of theory, environmental remote sensing and numerical modelling. | ||
| EARTH506 | Geological Models | 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper focusses on the development and application of 2D and 3D conceptual and numerical models of Earth materials. Discussion includes data acquisition, model development, and interpretation. | ||
| ENVSC503 | Greenhouse Gas Fluxes from Land | 20A (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. | ||
| ERTH591 | Dissertation | 20X (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | ||
| ERTH595 | Earth Sciences Thesis | 20X (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | ||
| SCIEN511 | Scientific Supercomputing | 20B (Hamilton) |
| A practical introduction to undertaking scientific research on a supercomputer. The paper assumes no prior knowledge. | ||
| SCIEN512 | Data analysis and experimental design | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers aspects of research design for experiments, and methods for analysis of scientific data using modern statistical techniques. | ||
| SCIEN589 | Directed Study | 20A (Hamilton), 20A (Tauranga), 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (Tauranga) |
| No description available. | ||
| SCIEN592 | Dissertation | 20X (Hamilton) & 20X (Tauranga) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | ||
| SCIEN593 | Thesis | 20X (Hamilton) & 20X (Tauranga) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | ||
| SCIEN594 | Thesis | 20X (Hamilton) & 20X (Tauranga) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | ||
800 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| ERTH800 | Earth Sciences MPhil Thesis | 20X (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
900 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| ERTH900 | Earth Sciences PhD Thesis | 20I (Hamilton) & 20X (Hamilton) |
| 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 Closed
For students who are enrolled in the thesis year of a MSc, MSc(Research), MPhil or PhD qualification in Earth Sciences. The value of the scholarship will vary.
DairyNZ Masters Scholarship Closed
For students who are enrolled in the final year or have completed a Bachelors degree in Science, agricultural science, agricultural business or economics and are eligible to enrol in a masters degree at a New Zealand University. Up to three scholarships of $30,000 will be available each year + tuition fees.
Terry Healy Memorial Award Open
For students who are enrolled or are intending to enrol, part- or full-time in a masters or doctoral degree in Earth Sciences, and are not already receiving other funding or substantial financial assistance under a research contract.
Closing Date: 31 Oct 2019
University of Waikato Research Masters Scholarship Open
For students intending to enrol full-time in a 500-level thesis of 90 points or more as part of their first master's degree at the University of Waikato. 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 Oct 2019
Looking for more scholarships?
Contacts
Faculty of Science & Engineering
Phone: +64 7 838 4625 / 0800 438 254
Email: contact-hecs@waikato.ac.nz
Website: sci.waikato.ac.nz
Facebook: facebook.com/WaikatoScienceEngineering