Environmental Sciences
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.
The growing human population is expected to exceed 9 billion within the next 40 years. The need to provide for increasing human demands, while protecting and sustainably managing the environment, is one of our greatest global challenges. Environmental Science is at the core of this challenge.
A major in Environmental Sciences at Waikato encompasses ecology, earth sciences, and environmental chemistry as well as many other disciplines. It is about understanding and managing human impacts on our land, biodiversity, freshwater, oceans, atmosphere and climate while providing the food, water, energy, and mineral resource needs that are critical to our survival.
At Waikato we take a strong interdisciplinary approach so you will gain skills in applying the biological, chemical and earth sciences to understand and manage the impacts of human activities on the environment.
Waikato is a great region in which to base your Environmental Science studies. We have easy access to a wide range of natural environments as well as some of the most intensive farming and processing industries in New Zealand. Our field trips and study examples include coastal estuarine environments, the Waikato and Waihou Rivers, a wide range of lakes. World heritage listed Whangamarino wetland, leading international examples of predator pest control at Maungatautari, and many native forest ecological restoration sites are all within easy reach of the University of Waikato.
Facilities
As an Environmental Sciences student at the University of Waikato, you will have access to the University's well-equipped laboratories, becoming familiar with complex research equipment and techniques. You'll be working alongside, and learning from, well-respected researchers, industry professionals and academics.
Key information
| Study Locations: | Hamilton, Tauranga Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info. |
|---|---|
| Area of Study: |
Study Environmental Sciences in these qualifications
Study Environmental Sciences as a specialisation of
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Climate Change
- Bachelor of Communication
- 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 Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science (Technology)
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma
- Master of Philosophy
- Master of Science
- Master of Science (Research)
- Master of Science (Technology)
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Postgraduate Diploma
Career opportunities
- Agricultural Adviser
- Biosecurity Officer
- Coastal Resource Manager
- Consent Planner
- Environmental Analyst
- Environmental Scientist
- Hydrologist
- Oceanographer
- Water Resource Manager
Papers
Available Environmental Sciences papers
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOEB102 | Introduction to Ecology and Biodiversity - Mātai Hauropi a Kanorau Koiora | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga) |
| An introduction to the principles of ecology and biodiversity. Topics include population, community and ecosystem ecology, conservation biology, and the structure, functioning and environmental responses of animals and plants. Examples will include New Zealand ecosystems and biota. He whakataki tenei pepa i nga matapono o te matai ... | |||
| CHEMY100 | Chemistry in Context - Matū o te Ao | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Tauranga) |
| This paper covers a broad range of chemical concepts that are fundamental to the sciences and engineering. A strong emphasis is made to teach concepts through real-life examples from the world around us. He toro na tenei pepa i nga tumomo tuapapa o te matai matu kei te tuapapa o nga horopaki putaiao, pukaha hoki He kaha hangai te ... | |||
| CHEMY101 | Structure and Spectroscopy - Tūramaramatia i ngā Hanganga | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23C (Hamilton) |
| A theoretical and practical course covering aspects of analytical and inorganic chemistry. This course is required for the chemistry major. He pepa tirotiro i nga tuahua o te wetewete i te matauranga matuwaro me tona kore paraumu, he pepa matua o roto o te tohu matuora. | |||
| EARTH101 | Introduction to Earth System Sciences - Pūtaiao Pūnaha Whenua | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23A (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... | |||
| ENVSC101 | Environmental Science - Pūtaiao Taiao | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga) |
| A scientific study of the interaction between humans and the environment including climate change, utilisation and exploitation of natural resources and the effects of human activities on biological, chemical and physical processes that form resources and control ecosystems. Ko te whainga matua o tenei pepa putaiao taiao ki te whak... | |||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOEB202 | Principles of Ecology | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga) |
| This paper covers the principles of ecology, including adaptation to the environment, intra- and inter-specific interactions, community and ecosystem dynamics, and biogeography. Weekend field trips and computer laboratory work are essential elements. | |||
| BIOMO202 | Genetics | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper deals with genetics in the widest sense from the molecular and cellular to the applied and evolutionary. Both prokaryote and eukaryote genetics are discussed with respect to DNA replication, hereditary, gene expression and control, and the role of mutations at both the DNA and chromosomal levels. The paper provides a pat... | |||
| BIOMO203 | Microbiology | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper will focus on microbial cell structure, function, and metabolism. Content and context will be drawn from both human and environmental examples. Students will acquire skills in microbiological laboratory techniques, data collection, data analysis, and report presentation. This paper is required for the Molecular and Cellu... | |||
| CHEMY204 | Analytical Chemistry | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers aspects of analytical chemistry including characterisation using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR); qualitative and quantitative analysis of mixtures using gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The use of statistical methods in analytical chemistry will also be covered. | |||
| EARTH221 | Soil Science | 15.0 | 23B (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 | 23A (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 | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) & 23B (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 | |||
| ENVSC201 | Environmental Monitoring | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga) |
| An introduction to reasons for, and design and implementation of, environmental monitoring in New Zealand. Skills in data collection, management, presentation, and interpretation are developed for a range of environments using both field data collection and published data-sets. | |||
| ENVSC202 | Environmental Chemistry and Geochemistry | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Tauranga) |
| This paper is a broad introduction into environmental chemistry and geochemistry including the formation of the elements, chemical evolution of Earth, modern Earth surface processes, fossil fuels and biomarkers, global biogeochemical cycling, atmospheric chemistry and global climate change. | |||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOEB303 | Terrestrial Ecology | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Tauranga) |
| This paper explores ecological theory to understand the dynamics, functioning, and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems in New Zealand and across the globe. Labs, workshops, and a weekend field trip are core components of this paper. | |||
| BIOEB304 | Freshwater Ecology | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Tauranga) |
| An introduction to the ecology of lakes and rivers. Topics covered include the structure and function of major freshwater communities, fish and fisheries, human impacts and the management of inland waters. | |||
| BIOEB305 | Marine Ecology | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga) |
| An introduction to the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems. The paper explores the fundamentals of ecology (e.g. disturbance/recovery, recruitment, organism interactions with their environment, nutrient cycles, limits on productivity) in a marine setting. We also cover human impacts on marine environments including fishe... | |||
| CHEMY304 | Advanced Analytical Chemistry | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers advanced aspects of analytical chemistry including mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Mossbauer and Raman spectroscopy, quality control and assurance, sampling techniques and method validation. | |||
| EARTH313 | Engineering Geology | 15.0 | 23A (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 idetified in engineering or environmental work. This paper gives an introduction to the field of engineering geology. Topics covered include: landslide processes and th... | |||
| EARTH322 | Soil and Water Management | 15.0 | 23A (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 | 23B (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 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23A (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. | |||
| ENVPL303 | Environmental Assessment and Policy | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga) |
| This is a project-based paper that provides an understanding of how environmental assessments are prepared, and used to assist decision-making and inform policy implementation for complex environmental problems such as climate change impacts, freshwater quality, and environmental pollution. | |||
400 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEGAL434 | Environmental Law | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23A (Tauranga) |
| This paper examines the foundations and principles of environmental and resource management law, their expression in key areas (biodiversity, climate change, freshwater, and oceans), and the planning, adjudication and compliance techniques used to implement the law. | |||
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOEB503 | Terrestrial Ecology | 15.0 | 23A (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... | |||
| BIOEB504 | Freshwater Ecology | 15.0 | 23A (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. | |||
| BIOEB505 | Coastal and Estuarine Ecology | 15.0 | 23X (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. | |||
| BIOEB506 | Environmental Physiology | 15.0 | 23B (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. | |||
| BIOMO503 | Microbiomes | 15.0 | 23A (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. | |||
| BIOMO512 | Molecular Techniques for Environmental Science | 15.0 | 23B (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. | |||
| CHEMY503 | Analytical Methodology | 15.0 | No 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. | |||
| EARTH501 | Volcanic Techniques and Applications | 15.0 | 23B (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 | 23A (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 | 23B (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 | 23A (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. | |||
| ENVSC502 | Conservation and Restoration: Theory and Practice | 15.0 | 23A (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. | |||
| ENVSC503 | Greenhouse Gas Fluxes from Land | 15.0 | 23A (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. | |||
| ENVSC504 | Pollution and Environmental Contaminants | 15.0 | 23B (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. | |||
| ENVSC505 | Environmental Systems: Biogeosciences across Scales | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper examines how core concepts in the multidisciplinary field of biogeochemistry provide a systems understanding across scales. | |||
| ENVSC592 | Dissertation | 60.0 | 23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation - 60 points. | |||
| ENVSC593 | Environmental Sciences Thesis | 90.0 | 23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research - 90 points. | |||
| ENVSC594 | Environmental Sciences Thesis | 120.0 | 23I (Hamilton), 23I (Tauranga), 23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research - 120 points. | |||
| SCIEN512 | Data Analysis and Experimental Design | 15.0 | 23A (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 | 23A (Hamilton), 23A (Tauranga), 23B (Hamilton), 23B (Tauranga), 23C (Hamilton) & 23C (Tauranga) |
| No description available. | |||
| SCIEN592 | Dissertation | 60.0 | 23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | |||
| SCIEN593 | Thesis | 90.0 | 23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | |||
| SCIEN594 | Thesis | 120.0 | 23I (Hamilton), 23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | |||
800 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENVSC800 | Environmental Sciences MPhil Thesis | 120.0 | 23X (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | |||
900 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENVSC900 | Environmental Sciences PhD Thesis | 120.0 | 23I (Hamilton), 23J (Hamilton), 23K (Hamilton), 23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Tauranga) |
| No description available. | |||
Scholarships and Prizes
Selected scholarships for Environmental Sciences students.
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?
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