EARTHSCI (Earth Sciences)
Stage I
EARTHSCI 105G - Earth’s Natural Hazards (15 pts)🏳
New Zealand experiences many natural hazards caused by the Earth’s natural processes through earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, weather bombs, storm surge, tsunami, flooding and wildfires. Focuses on spatial and temporal occurrences of disasters, hazard preparedness and recovery, and societal responses that affect and, sometimes, compound the magnitude of disasters. Case studies are drawn from contemporary and ancient societies. Economics
Stage II
EARTHSCI 202 - 4.5 Billion Years of Earth and its Life (15 pts)🏳
Earth’s surface is dynamic, constantly interacting with the oceans and atmosphere while recycling its rocks. Rocks contain Earth’s physical and biologic history, recording life-changing events such as mass extinctions and global glaciations. Through the introduction of multidisciplinary techniques, the course explores how rocks are used to reveal Earth’s long history, and how they help give a glimpse into its future.
EARTHSCI 203 - Earth’s Resources and Future (15 pts)🏳
Humans depend on Earth’s mineral and energy resources, but they are finite and their use creates environmental wastes. The course focuses on mineral and rock formation, and how they can be interpreted to understand the natural processes operating in the Earth System. Examines the expanding and changing use of resources and the need for stewardship of Earth for our future.
EARTHSCI 208 - Buckled and Broken: Our Stressed Planet (15 pts)🏳
Introduces techniques used to analyse and understand folds, faults and stresses within the Earth. Focuses on how to interpret and extract useful information from geologic maps, construct geologic cross-sections, and synthesise analytical results into a coherent structural history, while gaining an appreciation of the relevance of such studies to modern society.
EARTHSCI 209 - Special Topic (15 pts)🏳
EARTHSCI 220 - Practice in Earth Sciences 1 (15 pts)🏳
A practical and field based course that introduces and develops theory and work flows to enable students to read, document and interpret landforms and landscapes in 4-D. Students will be required to participate in a residential field experience and undertake independent field work.
Stage III
EARTHSCI 303 - Sedimentary Systems (15 pts)🏳
An advanced course that critically examines ancient and contemporary sedimentary systems. State of the art techniques and technologies (sedimentology, geomorphology, modelling) are used to examine the physical and biological processes in freshwater and marine environments. The application of sedimentary systems in the context of Earth’s resources and the current energy transition are highlighted.
EARTHSCI 307 - Earth's Changing Climate (15 pts)🏳
An exploration of long-term climatic and environmental variability from deep time to the present - all placed in the context of our warming world. Emphasis is on the nature and drivers of climate change, and the tools used for analysis of past climate impacts on Earth landscapes, the hydrosphere and the biosphere.
EARTHSCI 308 - Tectonic and Magmatic Systems (15 pts)🏳
Explores the tectonic and magmatic evolution of Earth and planetary systems, including their formation, composition, and how they deform. Students are exposed to seminal literature covering the various geological, geochemical, geophysical, and modelling tools and methods used for deciphering Earth deformation and magmatism, and the critical feedbacks between these processes. Recommended preparation: EARTHSCI 203, 208
EARTHSCI 309 - Special Topic (15 pts)🏳
EARTHSCI 315 - Analytical Skills in Geology (15 pts)🏳
A laboratory and field-based course expanding a student’s ability to collect, synthesise and analyse the range of datasets encountered in Earth Sciences, in disciplines such as geochemistry, sedimentology, structural geology and geophysics. Activities focus around a residential geological field-trip, where students develop advanced quantitative field skills in geologically diverse settings, and provide a report synthesising and interpreting their collected data.
EARTHSCI 320 - Practice in Earth Sciences 2 (15 pts)🏳
A practical and field based course that embeds theory and work flows to enable students to read, document and interpret complex and vulnerable landforms and landscapes in 4-D. Students will be required to participate in a residential field experience and undertake independent field work.
EARTHSCI 361 - Imaging the Subsurface (15 pts)🏳
Geophysical imaging of the subsurface utilises contrasting rock and fluid properties. Applications include environmental, engineering, resource, hazard, and tectonic studies. Students will acquire and interpret geophysical data by attending a one-day field trip and through laboratory sessions.
EARTHSCI 372 - Engineering Geology (15 pts)🏳
An integration of quantitative and qualitative concepts in geology as applied to engineering projects. Fundamentals of soil and rock mechanics will be introduced. Topics covered in the course include landslides, dewatering schemes, contaminant transport, foundations, mines (open-pit and underground), dams, tunnels, urban geology, and transportation infrastructures. Case studies are used in lectures to demonstrate the importance of geology and water to engineering projects. Fieldwork is required.
EARTHSCI 390 - Directed Study (15 pts)🏳
EARTHSCI 399 - Capstone: Earth Sciences (15 pts)🏳
Conducting an Earth Science investigation involving a range of skills, as practised in research and industry careers. Students will undertake an independent research project involving field, desktop and/or laboratory work, and communicate the results in written and oral formats. Skills gained include ability to design a research project, collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative Earth Science data, and research communication.
Postgraduate 700 Level Courses
EARTHSCI 703 - Hydrothermal Systems (15 pts)🏳
Active hydrothermal systems are dynamic and significant to national energy requirements, hazards assessment and understanding planetary evolution. Geologic, hydrologic, and geochemical features of hydrothermal systems are considered with an emphasis on hydrothermal systems, sustainable geothermal energy extraction, mechanisms underpinning hydrothermal eruptions, and the potential role of hydrothermal systems in origin of/early life scenarios and the search for extra-terrestrial life.
EARTHSCI 704 - Directed Study in Earth Sciences (15 pts)🏳
EARTHSCI 705 - Geohazards (15 pts)🏳
Contemporary methods used to identify and assess natural hazards, techniques used for the probabilistic forecasting, spatial representation and communication of hazards. How the relationship between hazard information, risk mitigation and emergency management is addressed. There will be a strong focus on the use of case studies.
EARTHSCI 709 - Special Topic (15 pts)🏳
EARTHSCI 714 - Faults and Fluids (15 pts)🏳
Fault-fluid interaction is critical in earthquake dynamics and hydrothermal systems that have implications for geothermal energy, ore mineralisation and, via hydrothermal alteration, land stability. We will explore the fundamentals of these interactions and their relevance to hazard and resource challenges of society today. This course will be anchored by a strong in-person field component.
EARTHSCI 720 - Environmental Geochemistry (15 pts)🏳
Provides a broad overview of applications of geochemistry across multiple disciplines. In addition, this course will help determine the suitability of different analytical techniques to different problems while providing practical experience in collecting and evaluating geochemical data. Subject areas are wide-reaching and include, geology, environmental science, biology, archaeology, and forensic sciences. No formal prerequisite but knowledge of introductory chemistry will be assumed.
EARTHSCI 732 - Exploring Environmental Change (15 pts)🏳
Sedimentary and biological records show that extreme, rapid and short-lived climatic and environmental changes occurred in the past. Case studies are used to introduce the tools used to identify and interpret abrupt environmental changes during the Last Glacial Period and Holocene that may have implications for the present and our future.
EARTHSCI 752 - Volcanoes (15 pts)🏳
Volcanoes were an important part in the formation of Earth’s crust and atmosphere and influenced the evolution of life. Today, volcanoes play an important role in society from hazards and resources to recreation. This course covers how and why volcanoes erupt from magma processes in the mantle to eruption at the surface.
EARTHSCI 754 - Integrated Sedimentology and Tectonics (15 pts)🏳
Develops an advanced and practical understanding of how sedimentary and tectonic processes relate to one another. Case studies, field work, guest lectures and discussions will allow critical examination of the latest research into the dynamics of tectonic and sedimentary environments.
EARTHSCI 770 - Engineering Geological Mapping (15 pts)🏳
A field-based course which provides hands-on experience in outcrop mapping, geomorphic mapping, and simple field testing of rocks and soils for geotechnical purposes.
EARTHSCI 771 - Advanced Engineering Geology (15 pts)🏳
Advanced engineering geology focused on engineering practice. Interpretation of in-situ testing and laboratory test data (including groundwater) for the derivation of design parameters for input into numerical modeling software. The topics covered include, but are not limited to, design and analysis of site investigation, advanced core logging, slope stability analysis, rock fall assessment, introduction to numerical modeling, liquefaction and seismic hazard assessment for engineering design.
EARTHSCI 772 - Hydrogeology (15 pts)🏳
Introduces aquifers and aquifer properties; the various processes and techniques utilised in the discovery, development and assessment of groundwater resources; groundwater in construction; groundwater contamination.