Introduction to Environmental Science

This course offers a general introduction to environmental science in an interdisciplinary context. The ENVR 101 course aims to build a knowledge platform and exposes students to the environmental problems and solutions of the modern era. Using an integrated approach across the chemical, biological, cultural and values/ethics aspects of environmental science, students will consider the problems and solutions across key topics including: Feeding the planet (Kai whenua and Kai Moana), Sustainable resource use and waste management, powering the planet, human health and environment, sustainable cities, and sustainable tourism. Students will learn through a combination of lectures and tutorials/workshops. Assessment will be via assignment, on-line quizzes and an exam.

15 points

Environmental Processes: Principles and Applications

The course explores the fundamental principles and applications of knowledge related to the surface of the earth in the sub-disciplines of geomorphology, climatology and hydrology. Systems studied include landforms, glaciers, climate, and rivers. The main objective of the course is to explain the spatial and temporal characteristics, and the interaction between these systems in an interdisciplinary manner by drawing extensively from New Zealand examples.

15 points

Any 30 points of 100-level Geography, or entry with approval of the Head of Department

GEOG201 prior to 2009.

Mountain Weather and Climates

This course provides a field and practical based approach to understanding contemporary mountain climates. Investigating how mountains modify weather systems and impact the local climate is essential in forecasting how New Zealand will be impacted by climate change. The course is centered on lectures and a residential field trip to the Cass Basin, Arthurs Pass. The learning is mostly project oriented and includes the development of a project from the initial idea, through the development of the skills and techniques required to conduct the fieldwork and produce a written project report. Assessment is based on a combination of assessed practicals and the field work research project report.

15 points

GEOG106 or ENVR101 or 15 points from CHEM, PHYS, GEOL, BIOL, ASTR, MATH at 100-level

Transport, Urban Development and Wellbeing

Nau mai ki GEOG222 - welcome to GEOG222. Transport fundamentally shapes our communities and affects our wellbeing. This course examines the role and influence of transport in shaping our towns and cities, and affecting our personal wellbeing. The course will have a particular focus on how transport and urban development can help face challenges like climate change. The course will also look at issues related to Maori, for example, how has urbanisation affected their wellbeing. As well as gaining increased understanding of transport, urban development and wellbeing through traditional learning approaches, students will also learn from transport, urban development and health professionals. They will develop a range of practical, applied and transferrable skills by addressing real world problems and present findings in both written and oral formats.

15 points

45 pts of 100 level including GEOG110 or GEOG106

Weather Systems

This course examines the processes responsible for day to day weather variations, and the operational techniques used in their analysis and forecasting. This includes both research and operational approaches to the study of synoptic scale weather systems and their impact. The processes studied include those that have an influence on the generation and decay of weather systems, but also those that affect the weather experienced in a local area, such as Canterbury. The emphasis is on factors important in short term weather changes, including stability/instability and atmospheric motion. These factors are studied in relation to air mass changes, as well as the effects of topography. Links between the general and synoptic scale atmospheric circulation are also studied, along with the effects of longer term change, such as the ENSO cycles.

15 points

GEOG211 and 15 points from Schedule S to the BSc

Health, Wellbeing and Environment

Human health and wellbeing are profoundly shaped by the environments in which we live. This course examines the influence of the physical, built and social aspects of the environment on health and wellbeing. In addition to gaining increased understanding of health-environment interactions, students will develop skills in tracking environmental exposures and in presenting research findings in both written and oral formats.

15 points

30 points of Geography at 200 level; or 30 points from Science, Arts or Health Sciences.

GEOG322