Sustainable Coasts
Qualifications
Overview
Sustainable Coasts offers study in the diverse ecosystems, functions, and dynamic changes of coastlines and ocean life.
Aotearoa New Zealand as an island nation has a unique history and cultural narrative with its coastal settlements and marine resources. More knowledge is needed on the long-term effects our actions have on coastal climates, especially as climate change, pollution, and human exploitation lead to rapid changes on our shores. Rising sea levels, land erosion, over-fishing, debris pollution, and tsunamis are but a few examples of issues we need to urgently manage.
At UC, you will explore the biological, geographical, and social effects of coasts and surrounding urban and natural environments, and find sustainable solutions to their preservation and ongoing use.
- With fieldwork a strong focus in the degree, UC’s location in Waitaha Canterbury gives you prime access to the East and West coastlines of Te Waipounamu South Island, and the opportunity to utilise UC’s field stations around the region, for example Kawatiri Westport.
- Our experts are actively involved in research and management of disaster and long-term risk affecting our coastlines, from earthquakes to tsunamis and floods.
UC offers a major in Sustainable Coasts as part of the Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours.
Sustainable Coasts major
The following courses are required throughout the degree:
200-level
- BIOL 212 Marine Biology and Ecology
- BIOL 275 Field Ecology
- GEOG 201 Environmental Process: Principles and Applications
- GEOG 215 Environmental Hazards and Disasters
300-level
Plus one course chosen from:
- BIOL 309 Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Biologists
- BIOL 377 Global Change and Biosecurity
- BIOL 378 Population Ecology and Conservation
- GEOG 323 Geospatial Analysis in the Social and Environmental Sciences
- GEOG 324 Web GIS and Geoinformatics
400-level
Across the globe, we have become heavily reliant on our coasts and oceans. More than half of the world’s population live in coastal settlements, and entire economies are based on using fishing and marine resources, and freight transport systems.
Climate changes causing land erosion, changing ecosystems, and rising sea levels, and human exploitation through over-fishing, pollution, and infrastructure has demonstrated an increasing need for experts on maintaining a sustainable relationship with our coastal regions.
This degree will make you invaluable for roles in government and policy, environmental NGOs, research, public education, consultancies, disaster management and response, fisheries, civil planning and resilience, and conservation.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Environmental Science.
Contact us
Te Kura Aronukurangi | School of Earth and Environment
Phone +64 3 369 0655
Email earthandenvironment@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Level 2, Beatrice Tinsley building – see campus maps
Postal address
Te Rāngai Pūtaiao | College of Science
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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