Course details

Summary

The Bachelor of Science (BSc) is a three-year undergraduate degree which enables each student to develop his or her own interests in a science subject (science major) and related subjects. Students have the flexibility to combine their major subject with other science subjects, as well as subjects from other disciplines across the University.

Ecology is the study of animals and plants in relation to their environment. Revived interest in environmental and ecological issues and the public and governmental concern and debate over such matters has created a need for scientifically trained ecologists. An Ecology degree produces graduates with a background which will enable them to make rational judgments on ecological matters, either as professional ecologists or as educated members of the public.

Courses in Ecology are taught by staff from the Departments of Botany, Geography and Zoology. The Otago region encompasses a wide range of habitats, from marine to alpine and from semi-arid to per humid. Many of the papers offered by the various departments have fieldwork components which will give students an insight into these habitats.

Programme Requirements

Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Ecology

100-level

BIOL 112 Animal Biology

BIOL 123 Plants: How They Shape the World

ECOL 111 Ecology and Conservation of Diversity

STAT 110 Statistical Methods, or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics

At least one of:

EAOS 111 Earth and Ocean Science

GEOG 101 Physical Geography

MARI 112 Global Marine Systems

200-level

ECOL 211 Ecology of Communities and Ecosystems

ECOL 212 Ecological Applications

STAT 210 Statistical Methods 2

One of AQFI 252, BTNY 201, BTNY 202, BTNY 203, CHEM 201, CHEM 204, CHEM 205, GENE 222, GEOG 282, GEOG 283, GEOG 284, GEOG 285, GEOG 286, GEOG 287, GEOG 288, GEOG 289, GEOG 290, GEOG 298, GEOG 299, GEOL 252, GEOL 263, GEOL 272, MARI 202, OCEN 201, STAT 241, STAT 242, STAT 251, STAT 261, SURV 208, ZOOL 221, ZOOL 222, ZOOL 223

300-level

ECOL 313 Ecology Field Course

Two of AQFI 352, BTNY 301, GEOG 390, GEOL 372, MARI 301, MARI 302, ZOOL 315, ZOOL 316, ZOOL 318, ZOOL 319

One other paper from AQFI 352, BTNY 302, BTNY 303, CHEM 304, ECOL 314, GENE 312, GEOG 388, GEOG 389, GEOG 390, GEOG 392, GEOG 393, GEOG 394, GEOG 395, GEOG 397, GEOG 398, GEOG 399, GEOL 372, MARI 301, MARI 302, SURV 319, ZOOL 313, ZOOL 315, ZOOL 316, ZOOL 318, ZOOL 319 or another suitable 300-level paper approved by the Programme Director.

Plus

126 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above.

Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science

Students majoring in Ecology must pass STAT 110 or STAT 115 and STAT 210 before taking 300-level ECOL papers

Total 360

Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) is also available.

A specific aim of the Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) degree is to develop advanced theoretical and research skills and in so doing to provide a platform for an advanced professional or academic career.

Entry criteria

The minimum requirement for students is the completion of a high school qualification plus satisfactory completion of one year's study at an approved tertiary institution or successful completion New Zealand Foundation Year programme.

We also accept the following International qualifications: International Baccalaureate: IB Diploma with a minimum of 26 points; GCE Advanced Levels: minimum grade of 8.

English Language Requirements:

IELTS score of 6.0 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); Internet-based TOEFL Score of 80 (writing 20); Paper-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 550 (TWE 4.5); CIE Cambridge International Examinations Grade E or better in AS English; Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) - Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) - Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); GCE 'A' Level or 'AS' Level English Language or English Literature - grade C or higher; GCE 'AS' Level General Paper (English) - grade C or higher; APIEL (Advanced Placement International English Language) Examination - grade 3 or higher; IB International Baccalaureate - English at Higher or Standard level in Language A: literature, Language A: language and literature, or at Higher level in Language B; Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 58 with no communicative skills score below 50.