Postgraduate study in Biosecurity and Conservation
What can you study in Biosecurity and Conservation?
You will work on a wide range of biosecurity, biodiversity and conservation topics, and network with future employers, gaining the confidence and skills to contribute to the rapidly growing fields of biosecurity and conservation.
Skill development includes writing risk assessments for new-to-New Zealand species, developing incursion response plans, biodiversity management plans and research proposals, as well as gaining advanced science communication skills.
If you are a Master of Science (MSc) student, research interests open to exploration include:
- Comparative stress physiology of grey-faced petrels
- Improving outcomes for water quality monitoring in Samoa via environmental DNA
- The impact of hedgehogs on urban forest fragments
- The ecological relationship between Cook’s scurvy grass (Lepidium oleraceum s.s.) and seabirds
- The legacy effect of soil conditions on ecological restoration of retired pastures
- The spatial extent of biodiversity outcomes from mammalian predator pest management
- The establishment and dispersal of invasive insects
- Impacts of introduced herbivores on sand dune restoration
- Estimating a damage function for feral pig impacts
- The importance of invertebrates in decomposing coarse woody debris
- Trophic interactions between geckos and honeydew-producing scale insects
- Pollination ecology of native New Zealand orchids and the role of introduced species
Structuring your postgraduate programme in Biosecurity and Conservation
Master of Science (MSc) in Biosecurity and Conservation 120-point (one-year) research masters
Master of Science (MSc) in Biosecurity and Conservation 240-point (two-year) research masters
15 points:
BIOSCI 761 MSc Thesis Proposal or ENVSCI 701 Research Practice in Environmental Science
45 points from:
- BIOSCI 747 Biosecurity and Invasion Biology
- BIOSCI 748 Weed and Pest Management
- ENVSCI 733 Biodiversity Management and Conservation
At least 30 points from:
- BIOSCI 724 Marine Ecology
- BIOSCI 730 Entomology and Biosecurity
- BIOSCI 735 Advanced Behavioural Ecology
- BIOSCI 751 Plant-microbial Interactions
- ENVMGT 743 Environmental Policy
- ENVMGT 746 Collaborative Environmental Management (not available in 2019)
- ENVSCI 716 Aquatic Ecological Assessment
- ENVSCI 737 Applied Terrestrial Ecology
120 points:
Up to 30 points from 700-level related subjects:
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Biosecurity and Conservation
45 points from:
- BIOSCI 747 Biosecurity and Invasion Biology
- BIOSCI 748 Weed and Pest Management
- ENVSCI 733 Biodiversity Management and Conservation
45 points from:
- BIOSCI 761 MSc Thesis Proposal or ENVSCI 701 Research Practice in Environmental Science
- BIOSCI 724 Marine Ecology
- BIOSCI 730 Entomology and Biosecurity
- BIOSCI 733 Molecular Ecology and Evolution
- BIOSCI 734 Terrestrial Plant Ecology
- BIOSCI 735 Advanced Behavioural Ecology
- BIOSCI 738 Advanced Biological Data Analysis
- BIOSCI 751 Plant-microbial Interactions
- ENVMGT 742 Social Dimensions of Global Environmental Change
- ENVMGT 743 Environmental Policy
- ENVMGT 746 Collaborative Environmental Management (not available in 2019)
- ENVSCI 716 Aquatic Ecological Assessment
- ENVSCI 734 Restoration and Landscape Ecology
- ENVSCI 737 Applied Terrestrial Ecology
30 points from 700-level related subjects:
Prerequisite courses
Prior to applying for the MSc 120-point research masters it is recommended you have completed BIOSCI 761 MSc Thesis Proposal or ENVSCI 701 Research Practice in Environmental Science.
Courses
Explore the postgraduate courses you can take for the Biosecurity and Conservation specialisation:
Where can postgraduate study in Biosecurity and Conservation take you?
Potential opportunities for our graduates include employment throughout the biosecurity and conservation sector.
Jobs related to Biosecurity and Conservation
- Biodiversity ranger
- Biosecurity officer
- Biosecurity or biodiversity technical advisor
- Environmental officer
- Environmental scientist
- Incursion response investigator
- Museum collections technician
- Operations manager
- Pest control technician
- Research technician
- Researcher
- Science communicator
Scholarships and awards
Each year we award scholarships and prizes to thousands of students.
Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for, search available scholarships or begin an application by visiting Scholarships and awards.
Help and advice
Student Hubs
Visit your hubs for help and advice on any aspect of your studies and life at University.
The Student Hubs are your physical gateway to Waipapa Taumata Rau | the University of Auckland.
The Student Hubs services are available seven days a week at the City, Grafton, Epsom and Tai Tonga campuses and six days a week at Tai Tokerau, with friendly staff available to provide you with advice on any aspect of your studies and life at the University.