ENVR101-26S1 (C) Semester One 2026

Introduction to Environmental Science

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 16 February 2026
End Date: Sunday, 21 June 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 1 March 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 10 May 2026

Description

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.

This course offers a general introduction to environmental science in an interdisciplinary context. ENVR101 aims to build a knowledge platform and expose you to the environmental problems and solutions of the modern era. Using an integrate approach across the chemical, biological, cultural and values/ethics aspects of environmental science, we will consider the problems and solutions across key topics including: Feeding the Planet | Kai Whenua Kai Moana, Sustainable Resource Use & Management and Powering the Planet. You will learn through a combination of lectures and tutorials/workshops. Assessment will be via assignment, on-line quizzes, workshops, and an end of semester exam.

Learning Outcomes

The goal of this course is to introduce students to the principles for understanding our environment and contemporary environmental challenges and solutions. After successfully completing this course students will:

- Understand and describe the principles of the physical systems that influence the environment.
- Understand and describe the human factors that influence the environment.
- Understand the nature of contemporary environmental science issues.
- Apply their understanding of the principles of environmental science to real-world problems with a New Zealand focus.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

Employable, innovative and enterprising

Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

Biculturally competent and confident

Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.

Engaged with the community

Students will have observed and understood a culture within a community by reflecting on their own performance and experiences within that community.

Globally aware

Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Timetable 2026

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 11:00 - 12:00 C3 Lecture Theatre
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 14:00 - 15:00 C2 Lecture Theatre
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May
Lecture C
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Friday 10:00 - 11:00 C2 Lecture Theatre
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May
Optional A (Optional)
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 10:00 - 11:00 Jack Erskine 443
16 Mar - 22 Mar
18 May - 24 May
02 Thursday 15:00 - 16:00 Jack Erskine 445
16 Mar - 22 Mar
18 May - 24 May
03 Monday 09:00 - 10:00 Rehua 427 Technology Workshop
16 Mar - 22 Mar
18 May - 24 May
Workshop A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 10:00 - 12:00 Ernest Rutherford 164 Geog/Geol Lab
2 Mar - 15 Mar
23 Mar - 29 Mar
27 Apr - 3 May
11 May - 17 May
25 May - 31 May
02 Thursday 15:00 - 17:00 Ernest Rutherford 164 Geog/Geol Lab
2 Mar - 15 Mar
23 Mar - 29 Mar
27 Apr - 3 May
11 May - 17 May
25 May - 31 May
03 Monday 09:00 - 11:00 Ernest Rutherford 164 Geog/Geol Lab
2 Mar - 15 Mar
23 Mar - 29 Mar
27 Apr - 3 May
11 May - 17 May
25 May - 31 May
04 Monday 13:00 - 15:00 Ernest Rutherford 164 Geog/Geol Lab
2 Mar - 15 Mar
23 Mar - 29 Mar
27 Apr - 3 May
11 May - 17 May
25 May - 31 May
05 Tuesday 09:00 - 11:00 Ernest Rutherford 164 Geog/Geol Lab
2 Mar - 15 Mar
23 Mar - 29 Mar
27 Apr - 3 May
11 May - 17 May
25 May - 31 May
06 Tuesday 12:00 - 14:00 Ernest Rutherford 164 Geog/Geol Lab
2 Mar - 15 Mar
23 Mar - 29 Mar
27 Apr - 3 May
11 May - 17 May
25 May - 31 May
07 Wednesday 09:00 - 11:00 Ernest Rutherford 164 Geog/Geol Lab
2 Mar - 15 Mar
23 Mar - 29 Mar
27 Apr - 3 May
11 May - 17 May
25 May - 31 May
08 Wednesday 14:00 - 16:00 Ernest Rutherford 164 Geog/Geol Lab
2 Mar - 15 Mar
23 Mar - 29 Mar
27 Apr - 3 May
11 May - 17 May
25 May - 31 May

Timetable Note

3 x 1 hour lectures per week
3 x 1 hour tutorials across the semester
6 x 2 hour workshops across the semester

Course Coordinator

Sally Gaw

Lecturers

Jamie Shulmeister and Matiu Prebble

Tutor

Georgie Douglas

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Workshop Activities 25% Due dates to be advised
Online Quiz 1 5% Open 18 - 22 March 2024
Online Quiz 2 5% Open 29 April - 3 May 2024
Online Quiz 3 5% Open 27 - 31 May 2024
Briefing Note 03 Apr 2024 20%
Final Exam 40% date to be advised once official exam schedule published

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,099.00

International fee $5,388.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Faculty of Science .

All ENVR101 Occurrences

  • ENVR101-26S1 (C) Semester One 2026