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Te Ahu Taiao: Bachelor of Environment Studies 

Programme Overview

Level of Study: 7

Environmental issues have never been more pressing and expertise in land and the environment never more in demand. This programme prepares students for careers in environmental science, resource management, conservation and education. With the knowledge and technical skills gained over three years, graduates will be equipped to manage and develop corporate, community and agency programmes relating to field biology, environmental management and sustainability. The degree programme will:

  • Provide opportunities for students to participate in science studies;
  • Develop expertise and knowledge in environment studies and field biology across a wide range of ecological disciplines;
  • Enable students to develop te reo, kawa and tikanga knowledge of the rohe in which the programme is being delivered;
  • Promote the validity and application of Māori values and knowledge to environmental management.
Duration: 3 years
Location: Whakatāne and Tāmaki Makaurau
Start Date: 11/02/2013
Finish Date: 17/11/2013
Applications Close: 21/01/2013
Delivery Mode: Mixed mode
2013 Annual Fee: $4622
N.B. You will be required to contribute toward the cost of study. The fee above is based on the 2013 domestic fees schedule. While the fees are indicative, you can expect that final tuition fees will not exceed the amount shown.

Entry Details

Entry is open to applicants who meet the following requirements:
Minimum Age: 16 years old
Minimum Qualifications:

Student entry is open to applicants who:

  • have successfully completed a relevant Level 4 certificate;
  • or have obtained a minimum of 42 credits at Level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, including a minimum of 14 credits at Level 3 or higher in Biology and one other subject from the NZQA-approved subject list (refer to programme document).
Additional Qualifications: Students wishing to enrol in the Bachelor of Environment Studies must provide evidence of their ability to successfully pursue and complete a Bachelor degree.
Special Entry Requirements Students who do not meet these criteria, but have special circumstances that warrant further consideration, can be admitted through an interview and testing process at the discretion of the Head of the School of Undergraduate Studies.

Career Opportunities:

Career pathways in environmental science, conservation or education;

Participation in corporate, community and agency programmes based around field biology, environmental care or resource sustainability.

Further Study:

Tertiary study at Postgraduate level:

  • Master of Indigenous Studies;
  • Master of Māori Studies.

Detailed Course Information (Year 1)

Course Code: MAO101
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Te Whakatōtanga 1: Beginners Māori Language
Description: This course is a basic introduction to Māori language, teaching: pronunciation, basic greetings, nominal sentences, counting, verbal sentences and ownership through a communicative methodology
Course Code: MAO102
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Te Whakatōtanga 2: Beginners Māori Language
Description: This course follows on from MAO101 and develops conversational and communication skills with regard to: relationships between people, possessions, likes and dislikes, weather, seasons, expressions of feelings as well as everyday activities such as shopping, trips, social events and health issues.
Course Code: MAO104
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Te Tipuranga 1: Elementary Māori Language
Description: This course develops conversational skills in everyday activities such as: habits, routines, events, giving instructions, forms of travel, past and present activities, current events and literature in Māori.
Course Code: MAO105
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Te Tipuranga 2: Elementary Māori Language
Description: This course follows on from MAO104 and develops communication and conversational skills in making invitations and suggestions, plans for the future, seeking and giving permission, selling and purchasing, and Māori tribal and oral traditions.
Course Code: TAI141
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Animal Diversity
Description: To introduce classification and organisation, form and function in the animal kingdom.
Course Code: TAI142
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Multicellular Protists, Fungi and Plants
Description: To introduce classification and organisation, form and function in the protist, fungi and plant kingdoms.
Course Code: TAI143
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Kaitiakitanga and Resource Management
Description: To explore and understand fundamental issues of resource management in the New Zealand context, recognising its dual cultural perspectives and aspirations.
Course Code: TAI144
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Earth Science
Description: To examine major processes and outcomes in earth’s geology and physical geography and introduce the New Zealand setting.
Course Code: TAI145
Course Type: Core
Course Title: New Zealand Environments and Ecology
Description: To introduce students to the basic concepts and terms used in ecology. Students will develop an understanding of New Zealand’s terrestrial and aquatic environments and explore the reasons behind the unique and vulnerable nature of our biodiversity. Māori cultural identity and the relationships to the natural environment will be examined.
Course Code: TAI146
Course Type: Core
Course Title: New Zealand Conservation Studies
Description: To provide an understanding of the New Zealand environment and associated ecosystems and examine societal attitudes toward its management.
Course Code: TAI147
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Field Surveys
Description: To provide an appreciation of the procedures used to collect and analyse data generated in environmental surveys and how to report these findings.
Course Code: TAI148
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Introduction to Archaeology
Description: An introduction to archaeology, with particular reference to New Zealand’s archaeological history, from early Māori origins to the initial period of western contact. Covers tropical Polynesian adaptations to New Zealand’s temperate climate, the rich material culture and arts of Māori, resource use and environmental change, development of classic Māori society, and the emerging field of historic archaeology.

Detailed Course Information (Year 2)

Course Code:ng> MAO201
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Te Puāwaitanga 1: Intermediate Māori Language
Description: This is an intermediate-level Māori language course that reinforces the knowledge acquired in MAO105 and further develops skills in conversation, communication, translation and the interpretation of oral and tribal traditions.
Course Code: MAO202
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Te Puāwaitanga 2: Intermediate Māori Language
Description: This course follows on from MAO201 and teaches skills in communicating about problems and solutions, plans, hopes and intentions as well as formal oratory. The course also develops skills in research and writing in the Māori language.
Course Code: TAI242
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Soil Science and Land Use
Description: An introduction to the nature and formation of soils and their place in the landscape, their classification, distribution pattern and uses as a finite resource in New Zealand. Issues of soil quality, land degradation, soil nitrogen and phosphorus cycling, and sustainable management will be investigated.
Course Code: TAI244
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Description: To gain a basic, practical understanding of GIS concepts, techniques and real world applications.
Course Code: TAI245
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Principles of Ecology
Description: TAI245 covers the principles of ecology, including adaptation to environment, species interactions, population dynamics and biogeography.
Course Code: TAI246
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Restoration Ecology
Description: TAI246 provides a broad overview of restoration ecology. This course will focus on using knowledge of ecosystem functioning to facilitate the recovery of damaged ecosystems and investigate the implementation of restoration projects such as planning, evaluating success, legislation and financing.
Course Code: TAI247
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Field Research in Practice
Description: TAI247 enables students to practice field research skills by completing a field research project involving (1) project design (2) data collection (3) data analysis (4) writing a scientific report and (5) giving a presentation.
Course Code: TAI248
Course Type: Core
Course Title: New Zealand Archaeology – Protecting Māori Heritage
Description: TAI248 investigates Māori land-based (cultural sites and landscape) and built heritage (buildings) of significance to Māori.
Course Code: TAI249
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Introduction to Hydrology
Description: TAI249 investigates the principles of hydrology and the basic concepts and strategies in the study of water.

Detailed Course Information (Year 3)

Course Code: MAO301
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Te Pakaritanga 1: Advanced Māori Language
Description: This is an advanced Māori language course which follows on from MAO202. Students learn how to communicate about future plans, offer and respond to advice, express approval and disapproval, debate and discuss issues and express deep thoughts, reasons and opinions on various issues. The course also develops oral and written research skills in Māori.
Course Code: TAI341
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Marine Ecology
Description: TAI341 investigates the application of ecological principles to the management of marine ecosystems, communities and species. This paper also covers human impacts on marine environments, including fisheries.
Course Code: TAI342
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Freshwater and Estuarine Ecology
Description: TAI342 investigates the application of ecological principles to the management of freshwater and estuarine ecosystems, communities and species. This paper also covers human impacts on freshwater and estuarine environments, including fisheries.
Course Code: TAI343
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Terrestrial Ecology
Description: TAI343 investigates the application of ecological principles to the management of terrestrial ecosystems, communities and species. This paper also covers human impacts on terrestrial environments.
Course Code: TAI344
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Māori Environmental Planning
Description: TAI344 is an examination of Māori environmental values and attitudes, customary and contemporary Māori approaches to managing natural resources and an analysis of the Treaty of Waitangi and selected resource statutes from a Māori perspective.
Course Code: TAI346
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Water Use and Management
Description: TAI346 explains the key themes, concepts, and tools associated with water management. This course covers determinants of availability and scarcity, assessment and management from basin to user, economics and governance, the management and sustainability of irrigated agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, and environmental, social and political dimensions of water use.
Course Code: TAI347
Course Type: Core
Course Title: Negotiated Study
Description: To provide students with an opportunity to complete an investigation into a topic related to their area of study. Students are encouraged to work on projects of interest with other agencies involved in environmental work. Topics to be negotiated with the course coordinator to ensure a reasonable spread across potential other agencies and iwi organisations.

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