Course details

Summary

The Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) is a one-year programme which builds on an undergraduate science degree. The diploma encompasses both papers and a research topic, and can be taken full-time or part-time. It provides entry to the Master of Science (MSc) degree by thesis only.

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.

Papers

• ECOL 480 Research Project, or ECOL 490 Dissertation
• ECOL 411 Reading Ecology

Papers to a total of 120 points from BTNY 465, BTNY 467, ECOL 450, GEOG 454, GEOG 459, GEOG 460, GEOG 461, GEOG 471, GEOL 427, MARI 427, MARI 432, SURV 509, SURV 519, ZOOL 410, ZOOL 411, ZOOL 415, ZOOL 416, ZOOL 417, ZOOL 418 or other suitable papers as approved by the Programme Director

Entry criteria

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences).

Every applicant shall have fulfilled one of the following conditions: have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Science majoring in the subject or subjects of study proposed; have been admitted with the status of one who is entitled to proceed to the diploma; have a qualification acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and produce evidence satisfactory to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of ability to proceed to the diploma.

English Language Requirements

IELTS - Score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); Internet-based TOEFL Score of 95 with a minimum writing score of 22.; Paper-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 587 (TWE 4.5); Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination - Grade 4 or higher; Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 64 with no communicative skills score below 57; University of Otago Foundation Studies Ltd: Completion of 'English for Postgraduate Academic Purposes' with a grade of C or higher.