Coastal Studies

This course explores the processes that form and change coastal environments in New Zealand, the Pacific and worldwide. Topics examined include a selection of: sea level change today and into the future, waves and currents, the role of sediments in how beaches work to protect land and interact with oceans, plus sessions focussed on the wonders and practical realities of wetlands, tropical reefs, and human interactions with coastal environments. You will gain an understanding of models of the coastal zone, as well as an experience of field methods and laboratory techniques used in coastal investigations. The course was developed based on direct industry feedback and involvement. There is also an optional one-day field-trip, where there is an opportunity to put your learnings into practice and measure waves, currents and beach profiles, and to collect sediment and ecological data for analysis in labs, all using up-to-date professional techniques.

15 points

30 points of 200-level Geography, including GEOG201, or in special cases with approval of the Head of Department.

Snow, Ice and Climate

This course examines the physical processes involved with the formation and evolution of mountain glaciers and seasonal snow, including processes such as surface mass balance, dynamics and hydrology. The course develops knowledge by drawing on key research, and encourages students to critically evaluate published work. The supporting lab programme will enable students to develop a range of transferable skills by working with real data and equipment, for example, ground penetrating radar (GPR), snowpit analysis, and simple glacier models.

15 points

30 points of 200-level Geography and a further 15 pts at 200-level from any of GEOG, ENVR, GEOL, ANTA, WATR, BIOL, or in special cases with approval of the Head of School.

Environmental and climate modelling

This is a hands-on course in which students will learn the fundamentals of modelling the Earth’s climate system. Using the Python programming language, students will develop parameterisations for simple climate models, and learn how to run more advanced models. Students will learn how models are used to support decision making through geoinformatics and science in the areas of: climate change; air pollution; the ozone layer; numerical weather prediction, and its application in renewable energy and agricultural meteorology. Particular focus will be given to how these issues affect Aotearoa New Zealand and the wider Pacific.

15 points

(COSC131 or COSC121 or BIOL209) AND (PHYS285 or ENVR201 or ENVR209 or GEOG201)

PHYS430

Global Change Ecology and Biosecurity

A discussion of major concepts in community and ecosystems ecology in the context of anthropogenic changes to the environment and pressure from invasive exotic species.

15 points

BIOL209 and BIOL274