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.

This diploma offers people who hold a bachelor's degree in a major in an unrelated area the opportunity to study science in-depth. It is designed to provide a qualification for graduates seeking to qualify for entry to postgraduate qualifications in science, change career direction, or to extend or upgrade their existing qualifications.

The GradDipSc may be awarded with Distinction.

Qualification structure and duration

Students take courses from the Bachelor of Science schedule and are required to pass courses totalling a minimum of 120 points including 90 points at 300-level.

Further study

This qualification is an ideal pathway into postgraduate study.

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.

Entry criteria

Graduate diplomas require a bachelor's degree. If you gained your qualifications overseas, these will need to be assessed to ensure they are of an equivalent standard.

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.