Studying Environmental Science at Canterbury
Environmental Science is more that just a subject stream, we have determined that it is important enough to warrant it being an endorsement to the degree. What this means is that rather than just gaining a BSc in Biological Sciences you gain a BSc in Biological Sciences (Environmental Sciences). This tells prospective employers that you have a degree that is much wider than just biology and that it has a focus on environmental issues.
Environmental Science is bigger than just biology, it includes subjects such as law, chemistry, geography, geology and forestry. It is all about identifying aspects of the environment and having the right tools to manage it. So to graduate with Environmental Science you need to be much broader than a single subject area. Obviously you will not be able to study all of the listed areas in depth, but you should aim to take a wide range of topics in your first year and at least two subject areas in your second year.
Career paths
Graduates with an endorsement in Environmental Science are likely to find employment with organisations involved with managing the environment, such as Christchurch City Council, Ecan, DoC, Cawthron Institute, Landcare.
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
GEOG 106 Global Environmental Change
15 points of CHEM
15 points of GEOG
Recommended
GEOL 113 Environmental Geohazards
SCIM
101 Science, Maori and Indigenous Knowledge
Optional
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
GEOG 205 Introduction to GIS
We recommend you follow the guidelines from
the streams listed below to choose courses of
interest for your 200-level.
• Biosecurity
• Biotechnology
• Ecology
• Microbiology
• Plant Biology
Year 3
Essential
At least 60 points in your major (BIOL).
We recommend you follow the guidelines from
the streams listed below to choose courses of
interest for your 300-level.
• Biosecurity
• Biotechnology
• Ecology
• Microbiology
• Plant Biology