Studying Ecology at Canterbury
Ecology is the study of organisms and how they relate to their environment. Evolution is a closely related area of study that focuses on how organisms change to adapt to their local surroundings. Related courses are also offered on plant systematics (the study of plant classification and evolutionary relationships) and animal behaviour.
Ecology is an increasingly important field, as we struggle to protect plants and animals from growing human impacts. Ecologists and evolutionists try to understand our endangered native organisms such as kiwi, kakapo and rare plants, and they also try to predict or mitigate the effects of exotic pests such as possums and old man’s beard. This work can take them to a wide range of beautiful and unique areas in New Zealand and beyond.
The School has teaching and research strengths in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecology.
Career paths
Graduates who specialise in Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour may take up careers like:
- District conservation officer for the Department of Conservation in Tekapo, Haast...
- Monitoring of ecological values along streams, rivers and estuary for the Christchurch City Council
- Field technician in Landcare Research’s programme to help meet Kyoto agreements on global warming
- Member of project team with a private environmental consulting company
- Operating an aquaculture facility for a Marlbrough Sounds seafood company
Postgraduate
BSc (Hons) - Students complete a fourth year of study
comprising four 400-level papers and a research project.
PGDipSc - Students complete a fourth year of study comprising
four 400-level papers.
MSc - Students complete a fourth year of study comprising
four 400-level papers (part I), then proceed to a research project (part
II), written up as a thesis.
PhD - Students complete a 3-4 year research project written
up as a thesis. Entry is after successful completion of either BSc(Hons)
or an MSc.
Planning Your Degree
Below is a guide to help you select courses that will give you a well rounded degree in ecology.
Year 1
Essential
BIOL
111 Cellular Biology & Biochemistry
BIOL
112 Ecology, Evolution & Conservation
BIOL
113 Diversity of Life
Recommended
CHEM
112 General Chemistry B*
MATH
101 Methods of Mathematics **
GEOG 106 Global Environmental Change
GEOG 108 Resources and Sustainability
GEOL 111 Planet Earth: An Introduction to
Geology
GEOL 112 Understanding Earth History
* Unless
you have 9 NCEA level 3 credits in chemistry
it is essential that you take a CHEM 114 before
CHEM 111 and CHEM 112.
** Note: Unless you have good NCEA level 3 credits
in maths, it is essential that you take a minimum
of 15 points in MATH (MATH101).
Optional
CHEM
111 General Chemistry A*
FORE
111 Trees, Forests and Environment
SCIM
101 Science, Maori and Indigenous Knowledge
STAT 101 Statistics 1***
*** Biology majors are required to take BIOL
209 Introduction to Biological Data Analysis (or
equivalent preparation e.g. STAT 201, PSYC 206).
Entry to this course does not require STAT 101,
but if you haven’t done maths or stats at level
12 or 13, then think about doing STAT 101 in your
first year.
Year 2
Essential
BIOL
209 Introduction to Biological Data Analysis
BIOL
270 Ecology
BIOL
271 Evolution
At least 45 points from:
BIOL
210 Vertebrate Biology
BIOL
211 Insect Biology
BIOL
212 Marine Biology and Ecology
BIOL
215 Plant Diversity & Systematics
BIOL 255 Plant Ecophysiology
BIOL
272 Principles of Animal Behaviour
BIOL
273 New Zealand Biodiversity and Biosecurity
Year 3
Essential
BIOL
309 Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Biologists §
At least 60 points from:
BIOL 354 Animal Ecophysiology
BIOL
371 Evolutionary Biology
BIOL
373 Behavioural Ecology
BIOL
374 Marine Ecosystems
BIOL
375 Freshwater Ecosystems
BIOL
377 Global Change and Biosecurity
BIOL
378 Conservation and Ecology of Populations
BIOL
379 Sustaining Native Biodiversity on Primary Production Systems
§ Note students wishing to progress to 4th year in any Biology major are expected to have taken BIOL 309.