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.

Geology, the science of the Earth, is concerned with understanding:

The Earth's internal structure and composition, its dynamic character (earthquakes, volcanoes, plate tectonics), and the processes that occur within it

The processes that shape the surface of the Earth, and the materials that constitute its surface layers

The origin, occurrence, extraction and conservation of the Earth's natural resources - minerals, fossil fuels, soils, water

The place of the Earth within the Solar System

The history of life on Earth.

An understanding of Geology/Earth Science has direct relevance for students majoring in disciplines such as Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Ecology, Environmental Science, Geography, Marine Science, Physics, Surveying, and Zoology (as well as those who intend to major in Geology).

Increasingly, understanding of geological principles and processes is essential for those concerned with awareness of natural hazards, civil engineering problems, impacts of global change, the responsible utilisation of Earth's natural resources, pollution and waste disposal, and environmental and resource planning and monitoring.

The study of Geology at Otago highlights the exciting and dynamic geological history of New Zealand, and the origin of the New Zealand fauna and flora.

Papers

GEOL 480 Research Project

GEOL 401 Current Topics and Advanced Methods in Geoscience

Three further 400-level GEOL papers

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.