Program Overview

Environmental Science Major - Bachelor of Science

The Environmental Science major in the Bachelor of Science degree is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become environmental problem solvers. This major provides an in-depth understanding of the science that supports healthy water, air, soils, and ecosystems.

What You Study

The Environmental Science major covers the structure and functions of ecosystems and the role of humans as a key driver of environmental condition and change at global, regional, and local scales. Students develop a sound understanding of environmental science, as well as practical field and laboratory skills, combined with data analysis.

Core Courses

All Bachelor of Science students need to complete core courses that help develop transferable skills and support work in all other courses in the degree.

• In Year 1, students choose one of two courses: DIGD507 Mahitahi | Collaborative Practices or SCIE504 Science and Society.
• Students also choose one natural sciences course from a list that includes:
  • ASTR500 Introductory Astronomy
  • BIOL500 Foundations of Life
  • BMED500 Introduction to Biomedical Science
  • CHEM500 Chemistry in Our World
  • CHEM501 Principles of Chemistry
  • CHEM502 Biological and Solution Chemistry
  • CONS500 Biodiversity
  • EASC500 Our Dynamic Earth
  • ENVS502 Environmental Science Skills
  • ENVS503 Our Total Environment
  • FOOD502 Food Science
  • FOOD503 Food Technology
  • GESC500 Mapping Our Environment
  • HEAL512 Te Tiriti Ora
  • HEAL514 Understanding Human Body Systems
  • MAOH501 Hauora Mori and Environment
  • MASC500 Introduction to Marine Science
  • MASC501 Marine Science Techniques
  • MELS501 Histology and Cytology
  • MICR501 Microbial Life
  • PHYS501 Physics for Scientists and Engineers
  • SOSC585 Climate Action
• Additionally, students choose one mathematical and computer sciences course from a list that includes:
  • COMP500 Programming Concepts and Techniques
  • COMP503 Object Oriented Programming
  • MATH502 Algebra and Discrete Mathematics
  • MATH504 Introductory Mathematics for Science
  • MATH505 Algebra and Calculus I
  • STAT500 Applied Statistics
  • STAT502 Introductory Probability and Statistics
• Students also choose one course from either the natural sciences or mathematical and computer science courses listed above.

Year 2 Courses

In Year 2, students complete the following course:

• SCIE606 Vision Mtauranga: Science Practice in Aotearoa And one of:
• CHEM604 Instrumental Analysis
• SCIE600 Scientific Inquiry

Year 3 - Final-year Project

In Year 3, students complete a project in an area related to their major. This project gives students an important competitive edge for their career and is good preparation for postgraduate study.

• Courses completed for this project include:
  • SCIE707 Science Capstone Project A
  • SCIE708 Science Capstone Project B

Environmental Science Major Courses

If majoring in Environmental Science, this is the main subject area students specialize in. It makes up one third of the degree and consists of eight environmental science-related courses studied throughout the degree.

Year 1 Courses

• ENVS502 Environmental Science Skills
• ENVS503 Our Total Environment

Year 2 Courses

• ENVS604 Environmental Assessment and Monitoring
• ENVS605 Environmental Cycles and Flows
• ENVS606 Environmental Pressures, Threats and Risks

Year 3 Courses

• ENVS705 Advanced Environmental Science Skills
• ENVS706 Environmental Problem Solving and Decision Making
• ENVS707 Environmental Science Policy and Practice

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Environmental Science major can pursue careers in:

• Conservation organizations
• Environmental consulting
• Government research and monitoring agencies
• Local councils in environmental, public health, and waste management and monitoring services
• Science teaching (after completing an additional year of teacher education)
• Scientific laboratory analysis

Related Programs

Other majors in the Bachelor of Science include:

• Analytics
• Biological Science
• Biomedical Science
• Chemistry
• Food Science
• Marine Science
• Mathematical Modelling and Computation

Postgraduate study options are also available, including:

• Bachelor of Science (Honours)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Science
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science
• Master of Science
• Master of Science (Research)

Key Features

• Pathway to rewarding environmental careers
• Incorporates the UN Sustainability Development Goals
• Hands-on learning in the natural environment
• Flexibility: tailor your degree with a second major, minor, or electives of your choice
• Complete an industry-related project in your final year

Skills You Will Develop

The outcomes for graduates of the Bachelor of Science are outlined in the Graduate Profile, which includes skills such as:

• Environmental problem-solving
• Scientific data interpretation and communication
• Environmental management and policy
• Practical field and laboratory skills
• Data analysis

These skills are essential for a career in environmental science and prepare students for a wide range of professional opportunities.