Course details

Summary

New Zealand, on the active margin of the Pacific with its volcanoes, earthquakes, dramatic geomorphology and 500 million years of geological history, is one of the best places on Earth to study geological processes. Our position in mid-southern latitudes and relative proximity to Antarctica means that New Zealand is a key location for climate change research.

Geologists are directly involved in the monitoring, prediction and assessment of hazards such as volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides and tsunamis. The geologist has an important role in land planning processes and in assessing environmental impact.

Geologists have developed one of the most exciting new scientific theories of the twentieth century - plate tectonics - which explains the origin and locations of all the major geological features and Earth building processes of the planet. Geologists also search for the natural resources which sustain our technological society, not least of all, water. The construction of buildings, bridges, roads, dams and reservoirs requires geological expertise.

Courses

100-level courses

You can take one, two or all three of the 100-level courses, depending on preference. However, it is normally necessary to take and pass two in order to gain entry into 200-level Geology courses. To major in this subject, students need to take GEOL 111 and one of the other two courses.

GEOL 111 Planet Earth: An Introduction to Geology (required)

GEOL 113 Environmental Geohazards

GEOL 115 The Dynamic Earth System

These courses involve lectures and one practical class per week plus one day in the field.

GEOL 113 Environmental Geohazards is an optional first-year course that will be of interest to Science and non-Science students alike and can be credited towards a Bachelor of Arts as well as the Bachelor of Science.

Students should also note that 60 points from the following subjects at 100-level is required for entry into honours in Geology: Astronomy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics.

200-level and beyond

The six core 200-level Geology courses develop and expand on much of the first-year material. Important geological principles and techniques are taught here, such as the interpretation of sediments, volcanic processes, how rocks deform in the Earth's crust, how ancient geological events are dated and the identification of minerals and rocks using the microscope.

GEOL240 Field Studies A - Mapping and GEOL241 Field Studies B - Field Techniques are field studies courses in which students learn the techniques of geological observation, data collection and field mapping.

The 300-level courses cover a wide range of topics for the student majoring in Geology.

Career opportunities

A career in Geology offers a very wide spectrum of work environments and employment opportunities. Geology graduates find positions as research scientists, policy analysts, exploration geophysicists, mining and exploration geologists, practitioner engineering geologist with consultancies, natural hazard analysts and consultants, coal and petroleum geologists, teachers, GIS specialists, environmental impact officers and consultants, hydro-geologists, seismic interpreters, resource advisors, research technicians, soil technicians and research assistants, museum curators, and more.

They are employed in the mining and petroleum industries, national and local government, planning and conservation organisations, university teaching and research, secondary teaching, museums and science centres, energy companies, consulting and engineering firms, research institutes and exploration firms.

Further study

The Certificate in Science can be used as a stepping stone to a Bachelor of Science.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Certificate in Arts. Applicants must have completed New Zealand University Entrance through NCEA; or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or any other equivalent overseas qualification.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.