Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Environmental Science

Environmental Science aims to understand the environment, using input from a wide variety of science disciplines, including biology, chemistry, geography, earth sciences, physics and engineering. The programme works especially well in conjunction with social sciences such as economics and human geography.

Environmental Science focuses on the environmental effects of human activity and is dedicated to protecting and restoring natural heritage, minimising human impact and reversing environmental degradation.

Your BSc programme will consist of a number of courses worth 15 points each, totalling 360 points. 

You must complete the following courses plus a capstone course in your final year of study. The capstone course is a student-led project where you integrate and apply your learning to a real-world problem in your chosen major or specialisation. For Environmental Science we recommend the capstone course, ENVSCI 399. For other capstone options, see our Capstone courses page.

30 points required from:

• ENVSCI 101 Environment, Science and Management (available in Semesters 1 and 2)
• STATS 101 Introduction to Statistics (S1 and S2)

30 points required from:

• ENVSCI 201 Natural and Human Environmental Systems (S1)
• ENVSCI 203 Modelling Environmental Systems (S2)

15 points from:

• BIOSCI 206 Principles of Ecology (S1)
• BIOSCI 220 Quantitative Biology (S1 and S2)
• CHEM 260 Introduction to Green Chemistry (S2)
• EARTHSCI 262 Geomorphology (S2)
• GEOG 205 Environment and Society (S2)
• GEOG 250 Geographical Research in Practice (S1)
• GEOG 261 Climate and Society (S1)
• GEOG 262 Geomorphology (S2)
• GISCI 241 Remote Sensing (S2)
• GISCI 242 Spatial Analysis for Human Environments (S1)
• MARINE 202 Principles of Marine Science (S1)

30 points:

• ENVSCI 301 Environmental Science in Practice (S1)
• ENVSCI 303 Environmental Science, Risk and Society (S2)

15 points:

• BIOSCI 394 Terrestrial Ecology and Conservation (S1) 
• GEOG 352 Landscape, Environment and Heritage (S1)
• GISCI 341 Remote Sensing of Surface Processes (S2)
• MARINE 302 Dynamics of Marine Systems (S2)
• MARINE 303 Freshwater and Estuarine Ecology (S1)
• CHEM 360 Contemporary Green Chemistry (S1)
  

If you began your degree prior to 2019 we recommend you seek advice to make sure you are taking the correct courses.

Visit your online help and support centre, AskAuckland. 

If you choose to do a double major in your BSc, we recommend the following subjects to complement Environmental Science: Anthropological Science, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Geography, Geographic Information Science, Geophysics, Physics and Statistics.

Some students will feel more prepared for our Environmental Science courses if they have already studied some science subjects in high school.

Find out which school subjects will help you feel prepared by reading our Subject guide for school students.

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