Undergraduate Degrees in EcologyThe undergraduate degrees offered in Ecology are the three-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) and four-year Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)).
Bachelor of Science BScThe BSc is a programme of papers with a combined value of not fewer than 360 points. The degree must include at least 180 points above 100-level, of which at least 72 points must be for papers above 200-level. It may include up to 90 points from papers offered for other degrees. Many students choose to take a BSc double major, combining Ecology with another subject. In such cases, students must take 144 points at 300 level or above, 72 points will be in Ecology-approved subjects, and the other 72 points will be taken in their other major subject. No cross-crediting is permitted at 300-level and above. Many students are also opting for international exchange arrangements. That is, studying for a part of their degree overseas. The University of Otago supports a wide range of exchange programmes. If you are interested in such options then you should discuss these with the Course Director who can provide advice. Subsequent approvals are required by the Course Director and the Division of Sciences.
As an Ecology major, your course must include: Required 100-level papers
Required 200-level papersPlus at least 18 points from the following Level 2 papers; (NB. Not all papers are available in all years. Please check with respective departments.)
Required 300-level papersStudents majoring in Ecology must have passed STAT 110 or STAT 115 before taking Ecology 300-level papers. Plus at least 18 points from the following Level 3 papers;
Plus a further 18 points from the following Level 3 papers; (NB. Not all papers are available in all years. Please check with respective departments.)
The remainder of the 360 credit points that you require to complete your degree can be made up from a wide range of science subjects at 100, 200 and 300 level in areas as diverse as Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Genetics, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Microbiology, Physics, Physiology, Statistics and Zoology. You are also permitted to include some non-science papers to a limit of 90 points. Remember that papers at 200 or 300 level often have prerequisites that must have been passed in earlier years, and you should take this into account when planning your programme. The University Calendar contains all relevant details of papers, their credit point values, pre- and co-requisites and restrictions, and it should be consulted. Make sure you seek advice on your course programme - we are here to help you.
Bachelor of Science with HonoursWhy take a BSc Hons degree?Some PhD candidates in Ecology were previously Honours Students. The BSc Hons degree can be viewed as a fast-track programme for academically able students who aspire to achieve a PhD degree or MSc by thesis only. Others who do not wish to study for more than four years may take the BSc Hons degree simply to ensure a stronger qualification that enhances their prospects of a career in this field. Many students choose to continue their studies by completing the ordinary three-year BSc degree, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Ecology), Wildlife Management, or Natural History Filmmaking and Communication, or a Master of Science degree in Ecology or a related subject such as Environmental Science or Regional and Resource Planning. If you perform well in your first and second years of study, and have passed at a satisfactory level papers which total 252 points (including at least 108 points at 200 level), you may be invited into the Ecology Honours course at the end of the second year. To be an Honours candidate you must have completed BIOL 112, 113, ECOL 111, GEOG 101 or EAOS 111, and STAT 110 or STAT 115, and ECOL 211, 212 and obtained at least 18 points from BTNY 221, 223, 225, CHEM 201, 205, GENE 222, GEOG 281-290, GEOL 252, 263, 272, INFO 233, MARI 201, 202, SURV 208, STAT 241-261, ZOOL 221-223, a further 54 points at 200-level or above, and a further 18 points. Applications for entry to this course should reach the Administrator, Division of Sciences, preferably by 10 December, though late applications are considered. In their third year, Ecology Honours students take ECOL 313 and ZOOL 316, 18 points from BTNY 323, GEOG 390, GEOL 372, MARI 301, 302, ZOOL 315, 318, 319, 54 points from BTNY 322, 323, 325, 326, CHEM 304, GENE 312, GEOG 388-395, GEOL 372, MARI 301, 302, SURV 310, ZOOL 313, 315, 318, 319, and 18 further points at 200-level or above. Not all papers are offered in all years, check with respective departments.
The Fourth Year Honours CourseThe fourth year BSc Hons course in Ecology consists of a choice of four papers, plus a 48 point research project. Combined Honours is also offered, for example in Ecology and Zoology, or Ecology and Botany. This course requires the approval of the Course Director and the relevant Head of Department. Normally it would be expected that Combined Honours Ecology students would take ECOL 490 and another 24 point paper relevant to ecology but differing from the other Combined Honours subject to reflect a breadth of training. The requirements for the BSc Hons degree are ECOL 490 plus 96 points from BTNY 465-469, ECOL 450, GEOG 454, 459-461, 471, GEOL 427, MARI 425, 427, 432, SURV 208 or SURV 310, ZOOL 410, 411, 413, 416, 417, 418. Most of the fourth-year courses build on material presented during the second and third year courses, and reflect the research interests of staff. Fourth year teaching is generally by directed reading, seminars and internal assignments. Subject to approval by the Course Director, a paper from another department that is not listed below may be substituted for one of the prescribed papers. Year 4Other approved papers(NB. Not all papers are available in all years. Please check with respective departments)
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