Breadcrumbs

Map NZ Map World

MSc - Environmental Sciences as a main subject

The Master of Science is valued for its flexibility and excellence, and can be tailored to suit your needs.  You can select your papers from a range of subjects and the mix of research and taught papers are customised to suit your interests and goals.

The pressure on our environment is increasing as the human population grows. Environmental Sciences provide a basis for understanding environmental problems, and finding solutions to them.


Apply to enrol

Key information

Years: 1 - 1.5
Points: 120 - 180
Start Dates: Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Estimated Fees* (Domestic): $8,050 - $9,039 per year
Estimated Fees* (International): $38,915 (120 points) or $58,370 (180 pts)
Entry Requirements: Postgraduate International
Area of Study:
*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

  • Agricultural Adviser
  • Biosecurity Officer
  • Coastal Resource Manager
  • Consent Planner
  • Environmental Analyst
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Hydrologist
  • Oceanographer
  • Water Resource Manager

Degree Planner

Prescriptions for the PGCert(EnvSci), PGDip(EnvSci), BSc(Hons), MSc, MSc(Res) and MSc(Tech)

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 ENVSC592 (60 points), ENVSC593 (90 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, SCIEN511, SCIEN512 and SCIEN589.

500 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
BIOEB503Terrestrial Ecology15.023A (Hamilton)
This paper aims to develop students' understanding of ecological theory with a focus on terrestrial ecosystems, and of how theory can inform ecosystem management and our understanding of environmental problems. As well as exploring some of the big questions in contemporary ecology (both nationally and internationally), the paper fo...
BIOEB504Freshwater Ecology15.023A (Hamilton)
This paper provides a critical examination of issues that freshwater ecosystems face, e.g., eutrophication, pollution, conservation, and utilisation and explores the research around methods to mitigate potentially competing interests.
BIOEB505Coastal and Estuarine Ecology15.023X (Block)
This paper emphasises multi-disciplinary science to better understand the functioning of soft-sediment ecosystems. The course will cover ecological principles through to the impacts associated with human activities and their management.
BIOEB506Environmental Physiology15.023B (Hamilton)
An examination of selected topics in environmental physiology, considering how animals and plants interact with their environment and influence ecological processes in natural and managed ecosystems.
BIOMO503Microbiomes15.023A (Hamilton)
This paper explores microbiomes in the environment and in association with multicellular organisms, including humans, to understand their critical ecological roles in ecosystem and host function and health.
BIOMO512Molecular Techniques for Environmental Science15.023B (Hamilton)
This paper will introduce students of diverse scientific backgrounds to current and emerging molecular analytic and diagnostic techniques used across biological and environmental sciences.
CHEMY503Analytical Methodology15.0No occurrences
An advanced study of analytical methodology and instrumental techniques, this will investigate sample extraction techniques, and instrument choice for a variety of sample matrices.
EARTH501Volcanic Techniques and Applications15.023B (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.
EARTH503Coastal Processes: Analysis and Prediction15.023A (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.
EARTH504Geohazard Risk15.023B (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.
EARTH506Sedimentary Geology15.023A (Hamilton)
A paper examining the application of sedimentary geological and geophysical principles, and models of Earth materials, to the exploration and analysis of sedimentary basins in New Zealand.
ENVSC502Conservation and Restoration: Theory and Practice15.023A (Hamilton)
This paper examines the application of scientific principles and theories in conservation biology and restoration ecology, with particular reference to New Zealand examples showcasing management of species and ecosystems impacted by human activities.
ENVSC503Greenhouse Gas Fluxes from Land15.023A (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.
ENVSC504Pollution and Environmental Contaminants15.023B (Hamilton)
This paper examines the ecological effects of chemical and non-chemical pollution. Analysing online databases and the scientific literature provides practical and theoretical understanding of the impacts of pollution and methods to measure such effects.
ENVSC505Environmental Systems: Biogeosciences across Scales15.023A (Hamilton)
This paper examines how core concepts in the multidisciplinary field of biogeochemistry provide a systems understanding across scales.
ENVSC592Dissertation60.023X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation - 60 points.
ENVSC593Environmental Sciences Thesis90.023X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research - 90 points.
ENVSC594Environmental Sciences Thesis120.023I (Hamilton), 23I (Tauranga), 23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research - 120 points.
SCIEN512Data Analysis and Experimental Design15.023A (Hamilton)
This paper covers aspects of research design for experiments, and methods for analysis of scientific data using modern statistical techniques.
SCIEN589Directed Study15.023A (Hamilton), 23A (Tauranga), 23B (Hamilton), 23B (Tauranga), 23C (Hamilton) & 23C (Tauranga)
No description available.
SCIEN592Dissertation60.023X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
SCIEN593Thesis90.023X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
SCIEN594Thesis120.023I (Hamilton), 23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.

New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.

Dr Stella Frances Memorial Scholarship  Not currently accepting applications

For students who are enrolled or are intending to enrol in the final year of a masters degree at the University of Waikato and are undertaking research that applies to the conservation or environmental issues in the Waikato region.

Tess Embling Memorial Scholarship  Not currently accepting applications

For full and part-time students, who are enrolled in or are intending to enrol in the first year of a Masters degree in the Division of Health, Engineering, Computing and Science in 2023. The scholarship will have a value of up to $5,000.

Looking for more scholarships?

Visit our Scholarship Finder


Documents


Contacts

School of Science
Phone: 0800 924 528 or +64 7 838 4625
Email: [email protected]
Website: sci.waikato.ac.nz
Facebook: facebook.com/WaikatoScience