Earth Sciences
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.
The University of Waikato is uniquely placed to offer a thorough grounding in all aspects of the Earth Sciences. We are situated close to both North Island coasts, a short drive from the active Taupo Volcanic Zone, at the heart of the richest New Zealand farming region, and have New Zealand's longest river on our doorstep.
We are a leader in teaching and research related to the Earth’s environment, and offer you a learning experience that goes beyond the laboratory and lecture room - and out into the world.
The Earth Sciences major at Waikato consists of four main sub-disciplines: geology, soil science, hydrology and coastal processes. The first two years concentrate on fundamental knowledge and skills across all subdisciplines. In your final year, you’ll have the option to specialise in a specific area.
Facilities
As an Earth Sciences student at the University of Waikato, you will have access to the University's well-equipped laboratories, and will have the opportunity to examine features in the field and undertake field investigations using a wide range of techniques. You'll be working alongside, and learning from, well-respected researchers, industry professionals and academics.
Build a successful career
As a graduate you will gain the knowledge and skills to pursue a wide range of careers. Earth Sciences graduates are spread across New Zealand and around the world, working in careers ranging from Earth resources' exploration to environmental management and planning, and from scientific research to teaching.
Key information
| Study Locations: | Hamilton, Tauranga Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info. |
|---|---|
| Faculty: |
Study Earth Sciences in these qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Communication Studies
- Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours
- Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours
- Bachelor of Media and Creative Technologies (China only)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science (Technology)
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma
- Master of Arts
- Master of Arts (Applied)
- Master of Laws
- Master of Management Studies
- Master of Māori and Pacific Development
- Master of Philosophy
- Master of Science
- Master of Science (Research)
- Master of Science (Technology)
- Master of Social Sciences
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Postgraduate Diploma
Earth Sciences as a specialisation of
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Communication Studies
- Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours
- Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours
- Bachelor of Media and Creative Technologies (China only)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science (Technology)
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma
- Master of Arts
- Master of Arts (Applied)
- Master of Laws
- Master of Management Studies
- Master of Māori and Pacific Development
- Master of Philosophy
- Master of Science
- Master of Science (Research)
- Master of Science (Technology)
- Master of Social Sciences
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Postgraduate Diploma
Career opportunities
- Coastal Engineer
- Coastal Resource Manager
- Engineering Geologist
- Environmental Consultant
- Geologist
- Hydrologist
- Soil Conservator
- Volcanologist
- Water Resource Manager
- Hazard Manager
Papers
Available Earth Sciences papers
Prescriptions for the GradCert(EarthSc) and GradDip(EarthSc)
A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Earth Sciences at an advanced level in their first degree.
For further details, contact the School of Science.
Prescriptions for the PGCert(EarthSc), PGDip(EarthSc), BSc(Hons), MSc, MSc (Research) and MSc(Tech)
Students in masters degrees are normally required to take a thesis and a selection of papers. Normally, only 30 points from ENVSC coded paper may be taken as part of an Earth Sciences graduate qualification. Enrolment in papers towards the BSc(Hons) is only by invitation of the Graduate Convenor. Candidates for these graduate qualifications should select their papers in consultation with the Graduate Convenor.
To complete a BSc(Hons) in Earth Sciences, students must complete 120 points at 500 level, including at least 60 points from the papers listed for Earth Sciences, of which at least 30 points must be of research (normally ERTH591).
Prescriptions for the MPhil
The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis that critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
Prescriptions for the PhD
The Doctor of Philosophy is a three syear research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis that critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| EARTH101 | Introduction to Earth System Sciences | 19A (Hamilton) & 19A (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 | 19B (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 | 19A (Hamilton) |
| An introduction to the nature, composition and origin of earth resources and materials. Topics covered include: minerals in society and their properties; origin of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks; volcanological and sedimentary processes and the importance of earth materials as sources for resources used by society. | ||
| EARTH221 | Soil Science | 19B (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. | ||
| EARTH231 | Water Resources, Weather and Climate | 19A (Hamilton) |
| New Zealand's water resources are coming under increasing pressure for human use, while their management requires that they also provide for healthy freshwater ecosystems. This paper describes the key physical processes that influence the distribution of water in space and time from a New Zealand perspective. Topics covered include... | ||
| EARTH241 | Oceanography | 19B (Hamilton) |
| 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 | 19A (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 | 19A (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 | 19B (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 | 19A (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 | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper comprises two parts that together examine the role of pedology 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 digital techniques includ... | ||
| EARTH322 | Soil and Water Management | 19A (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 | 19B (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 | 19A (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 | 19B (Hamilton) & 19B (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 | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper investigates geological techniques used to reconstruct eruption processes and histories, and their application to Society, including volcanic facies analysis, tephra studies, volcanic glass and mineral studies, juvenile and lithic studies, and volcanic hazards. | ||
| EARTH502 | Land and Soil Evaluation | 19A (Hamilton) |
| Selected issues involved with land use and its intensification, including nitrogen budgeting and soil quality, are examined. Farm-scale soil and land-use capability (LUC) mapping are undertaken to illustrate their role in guiding management decisions to help reduce or mitigate environmental risks associated with particular land use... | ||
| EARTH503 | Coastal Processes: Analysis and Prediction | 19A (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 | 19B (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 | 19A (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 in Engineering Geology | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper focusses on the development and application of 2D and 3D conceptual and numerical models of Earth materials for engineering purposes. Discussion includes data acquisition, model development, and interpretation. | ||
| ENVS524 | Environmental Evaluation | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper explores the interface between science and environmental planning. Insight into the resource consent process and the role of science in supporting sustainable resource management under the RMA is developed. | ||
| ENVSC503 | Terrestrial Ecosystem-Atmosphere Exchange Processes | 19B (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 | 19C (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | ||
| ERTH595 | Earth Sciences Thesis | 19C (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | ||
| SCIEN511 | Scientific Supercomputing | 19C (Block) |
| A practical introduction to undertaking scientific research on a supercomputer. The paper assumes no prior knowledge. | ||
| SCIEN589 | Directed Study | 19A (Hamilton), 19A (Tauranga), 19B (Hamilton) & 19B (Tauranga) |
| No description available. | ||
| SCIEN592 | Dissertation | 19C (Hamilton) & 19C (Tauranga) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | ||
| SCIEN593 | Thesis | 19C (Hamilton) & 19C (Tauranga) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | ||
| SCIEN594 | Thesis | 19C (Hamilton) & 19C (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 | 19C (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
900 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| ERTH900 | Earth Sciences PhD Thesis | 19C (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | ||
Over summer I worked in a lab where I used X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy to undertake chemical analyses of rock samples.
Read stories from other students
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.
Science and Engineering Masters Fees Awards Closed
For students enrolling full-time in the first year MSc (research), MSc, MSc (Tech) ME or MEnvSci programme in the faculty of Engineering. Part-time applicants may be considered but any scholarship awarded will be on a pro-rata basis. The Scholarship will have a value of up to $2,000.
Terry Healy Memorial Award Closed
For students who are enrolled or are intending to enrol, part- or full-time in a masters or doctoral degree in Earth Sciences, and who are not receiving other awards providing significant funds or substantial financial assistance under a research contract. The value of the award will vary.
University of Waikato Research Masters Scholarship Closed
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.
Looking for more scholarships?
Contacts
Faculty of Science & Engineering
Phone: +64 7 838 4625 / 0800 438 254
Email: science@waikato.ac.nz
Website: sci.waikato.ac.nz
Facebook: facebook.com/WaikatoScienceEngineering