Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours
BEnvSci(Hons)
Duration
4 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Master of Science
- Master of Disaster Risk and Resilience
- Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal
- Master of Water Resource Management
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Duration
4 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Master of Science
- Master of Disaster Risk and Resilience
- Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal
- Master of Water Resource Management
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Overview
Do you want to do your part for the environment? This degree will give you skills and the practical learning you’ll need to address the pressing environmental issues we face — in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally.
Various disciplines of science intersect in this programme to create a layered understanding of complex sustainability challenges we face — for example in freshwater resources, marine contamination, coastal erosion, biosecurity, natural disasters, and climate change. You will assess impact resulting from disasters, ecological change, and historical and current human activity.
Through classroom, lab, and field studies, you will learn research, data analysis, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills. This degree also combines mātauranga Māori with environmental research to unlock the potential of indigenous knowledge.
- Only degree of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Extensive lab and field work-based learning, with a final-year work experience component credited to degree.
- Unique focus on merging Mātauranga Māori and scientific knowledge to broaden your understanding and approach to environmental issues and future developments, using Ki Uta Ki Tai | From the Mountains to the Sea — the full journey and interconnectedness of the natural world.
Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
For information on gaining admission to UC please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.
Recommended preparation
The BEnvSci(Hons) is open to all students with entry to the University.
While no particular background is required, secondary school subjects such as biology, chemistry, geography, and sustainability are good preparation. Most important is a passion for the environment and our role as kaitiaki protectors of our natural world.
Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours majoring in Environmental Hazards and Disasters – example degree structure
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Compulsory courses
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Major courses
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Elective courses
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Zero-points, zero-fees courses
(1) Students must complete at least 60 points of elective courses. 30 points must be chosen from Group 1.
Each small block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points or more.
This diagram is an example only – other combinations are possible.
The Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours requires a minimum total of 480 points:
- 270 points of compulsory Environmental Science core courses
- a minimum of 135 points of courses towards a major
- a minimum of 60 points of elective courses.
All students must also complete 400 hours of practical work placement through ENVR 200 Environmental Science Work Experience (0 points, 0 fees).
The degree takes 4 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 8 years.
For study planning help, contact Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC | UC Liaison Office (new students) or a Te Rāngai Pūtaiao | College of Science Student Advisor (advancing students).
Limited entry into fourth year
All 300-level courses in the degree must be completed before proceeding to the final year. ENVR 302 and ENVR 304 must also both be completed with a B Grade Point Average.
If you are not successful in gaining a place, you may instead be awarded the Bachelor of Environmental Science, or you can normally credit completed courses to the Bachelor of Science or other UC degrees.
The Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours is a highly flexible, interdisciplinary degree, including introductory courses in biophysics, ecology, and geographic sciences; a range of course options from other degrees; hands-on fieldwork and internship placements; and courses towards a major subject from the second year.
See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.
Major subjects
Compulsory courses
All students in the BEnvSci(Hons) complete the following courses in each year of the degree:
100-level
- ENVR 101 Introduction to Environmental Science
- BIOL 112 Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
- GEOG 106 Global Environmental Change
- SCIE 101 Science, Society and Me
- STAT 101 Statistics 1
- CHEM 111 Chemical Principles and Processes or CHEM 114 Foundations of Chemistry
CHEM 114 is recommended if you have not taken Year 13 chemistry (or equivalent) at secondary school.
200-level
- ENVR 201 Environmental Science and Practice
- BIOL 274 Principles of Ecology
- GEOG 206 Resource and Environmental Management
Plus one of:
- BIOL 209 Biological Data Analysis
- GEOG 205 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Science
- GEOG 208 Remote Sensing for Geospatial Analysis
300-level
- ENVR 302 Professional and Field Skills for Environmental Scientists
- ENVR 304 Challenges in Environmental Science
- PSYC 341 Environmental Psychology
ENVR 302 and ENVR 304 must both be completed with a B Grade Point Average.
400-level
You must complete all 300-level courses in the degree before taking the 400-level courses.
- ENVR 411 Case Studies in Environmental Science
- ENVR 415 Assessing and Communicating Environmental Effects and Risks
- ENVR 480 Research Project
Work placement course
All students must also complete 400 hours of practical work placement arranged through UC with ENVR 200 Environmental Science Work Experience (0 points, 0 fees).
You can choose to fulfil these requirements during the summer months in either year 2 or 3 of the degree.
Elective courses
All students must complete a minimum of 60 points (up to 75 depending on your chosen major) from a range of course options.
Group 1
Choose a minimum of 30 points from the following:
Or any language courses chosen from:
Group 2
Choose your remaining points from the following:
UC offers postgraduate studies in Environmental Science:
- Bachelor of Science with Honours
- Postgraduate Certificate in Science
- Master of Science
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Graduates may also study a variety of related subjects in these programmes, such as Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Disaster Risk and Resilience, Geography, or Water Resource Management.
You may also consider specialist studies available:
There are several opportunities for Environmental Science graduates, such as within regional, local, and central government agencies (for instance Manatū Mō Te Taiao | Ministry for the Environment, Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment, and Te Papa Atawhai | Department of Conservation), Crown research institutes, private organisations, or consultancies.
In this degree, you will develop culturally responsive knowledge that will inform your scientific knowledge. You can work in advisory roles, to ensure your community’s voice is reflected in public policy and research.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
Contact us
For study planning help, contact Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC | UC Liaison Office (new students) or a Te Rāngai Pūtaiao | College of Science Student Advisor (advancing students).
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see Te Rāngai Pūtaiao | College of Science.
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).