Freshwater Restoration and Recovery

The aim of this course is to provide students with an understanding of freshwater restoration. The course will explore the importance of restoration from physical, ecological and cultural perspectives, and will examine the current state of freshwater restoration practice both locally and globally. Students will gain insight into factors which may limit restoration success, and explore strategies to overcome these. The course will also examine key considerations when designing and implementing monitoring programmes, including data analysis and statistics.

15 points

Subject to approval of the Programme Director

Environmental Health

Environmental health is an integral aspect of the health of a community. Risks to environmental health include pollution, unsafe foods, and infectious diseases, and many of these risks are increasing as a result of growing populations globally, and the effects of climate change. This course provides the foundation for students to understand environmental health.

30 points

Subject to the approval of the Associate Dean - Academic.

Current Issues in Environmental Quality

This course comprises current issues in environmental chemistry. Examples include emerging contaminants, stable isotopes as tracers, air quality, global climate change, drinking water, contaminated land, radiochemistry, acid mine drainage and toxicology.

15 points

CHEM340 or ENCN281 or equivalent study

Applied and Molecular Microbiology

This course will help students develop as scholars and advance their research skills in areas of applied and molecular microbiology. With microbes being ubiquitous and ever more important to commerce, the course will offer opportunities to explore cultural and social perceptions of appropriate use of microbiological science. The course focuses on the critical evaluation of scientific evidence.

15 points

Subject to approval of the Head of School. RP: BIOL313, BIOL333, BCHM301/BCHM331

BIOL493

Environmental Geology and Mining

Environmental geology is a wide field which applies geological and geochemical principles to environmental management. Even in the age of climate change awareness, the majority of the world's energy still comes from fossil fuels, the use of which presents many challenges, not only in exploration but also in the downstream environmental effects. In addition, green technology requires mining for precious metals which will continue or even increase. Electric vehicles require 3.6 times more copper than internal combustion engine cars. Other metals in demand include zinc, lithium, nickel and aluminium, among others. The downstream environmental effects, risks and consequences of mining for these resources should be understood and be part of managing anthropogenic effects on the environment. This course explores these fields largely in the context of mineral extraction activities.

15 points

Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

Unravelling Environmental Histories

Recent geological histories of Canterbury will be investigated via a lab-based collaborative research project utilizing palaeontological data along with sedimentological and chemical records. It is recommended for all students interested in palaeontology, environmental science or Quaternary sciences.

15 points

Subject to the approval of Head of School