Our societies and environments are experiencing unprecedented change.
Decisions that are made by geologists, working together with communities and industries, will inform and guide future solutions that address global challenges.
Applied Geology focuses on taking theory and research in to the real world, and working together with engineers, planners, environmental managers and research scientists to better connect communities and enrich people’s lives.
Use your passion for science and people to build a rewarding career that makes a difference.
Why study Applied Geology?
Applied Geology provides unique opportunities to combine theory and practice with real-world experience to make a tangible contribution to local and global challenges.
New Zealand is one of the best places worldwide to study dynamic processes and global change. Postgraduate opportunities at Otago are tailored to your interests at master’s and PhD level, and many of our students work closely with industry partners to gain real-world experience.
Our graduates leave with high-level technical and generic skills that are directly transferable to the workplace or to further study at institutions around the world. Students with Otago postgraduate qualifications are highly regarded and find employment and research opportunities all over the world.
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Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Postgraduate Certificate in Science (PGCertSci)
A coursework programme, typically consisting of three papers, that can be completed with full-time (one-semester) or part-time (full-year) study
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
A one-year programme which builds on an undergraduate science degree, encompassing coursework and a chosen research topic
Master of Science (Applied) (MSc(Applied))
A coursework postgraduate degree with a research component. The MSc(Applied) can be completed in 12 months or in stages over a longer period.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
120 points from papers listed for the subject in schedule D.
Review relevant papers under Master of Science (Applied).
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Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
GEOL papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEOL112 | 2026, 2027 | Dynamic Earth: A New Zealand Perspective | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GEOL221 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| GEOL251 | 2026, 2027 | Minerals and Rocks | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GEOL252 | 2026, 2027 | Field Studies and NZ Geology | 18 points | Semester 1 (17 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 1 |
| GEOL261 | 2026, 2027 | Geophysics | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| GEOL262 | 2026, 2027 | Geochemistry | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| GEOL263 | 2026, 2027 | Paleoenvironments and Basin Evolution | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| GEOL264 | 2026, 2027 | Magmas and Volcanoes of Zealandia | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| GEOL265 | 2026, 2027 | Natural Hazards of NZ and Beyond | 18 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| GEOL272 | 2026, 2027 | Evolution of New Zealand Biota | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| GEOL273 | 2026, 2027 | Modern and Ancient Sedimentary Systems | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| GEOL274 | 2026, 2027 | Metamorphism, Mineralisation, Tectonics | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| GEOL275 | 2026, 2027 | Rock Deformation | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| GEOL276 | 2027 | Geological Resources and Sustainability | 18 points | Not offered in 2027 |
| GEOL302 | 2026, 2027 | Independent Project | 18 points | Full Year |
| GEOL304 | 2026, 2027 | Accelerated Independent Project | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| GEOL321 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| GEOL341 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| GEOL344 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Field Studies | 18 points | 1st Non standard period (2 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), 1st Non standard period (1 February 2027 - 23 June 2027) |
| GEOL353 | 2026, 2027 | Earth Evolution and Plate Tectonics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GEOL361 | 2026, 2027 | Geophysics | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027 |
| GEOL362 | 2026, 2027 | Geochemistry | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| GEOL363 | 2026, 2027 | Paleoenvironments and Basin Evolution | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| GEOL364 | 2026, 2027 | Magmas and Volcanoes of Zealandia | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| GEOL365 | 2026, 2027 | Natural Hazards of NZ and Beyond | 18 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| GEOL372 | 2026, 2027 | Evolution of New Zealand Biota | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| GEOL373 | 2026, 2027 | Modern and Ancient Sedimentary Systems | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| GEOL374 | 2026, 2027 | Metamorphism, Mineralisation, Tectonics | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| GEOL375 | 2026, 2027 | Rock Deformation | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| GEOL376 | 2027 | Geological Resources and Sustainability | 18 points | Not offered in 2027 |
| GEOL401 | 2026, 2027 | Current Topics and Advanced Methods in Geoscience | 20 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 28 May 2027), 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 23 June 2028) |
| GEOL402 | 2026 | Advanced Research Methods in Geoscience 1 | 10 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| GEOL403 | 2026 | Advanced Research Methods in Geoscience 2 | 10 points | Semester 1 |
| GEOL450 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic 1 | 10 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| GEOL451 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic 2 | 10 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| GEOL461 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Topics in Geophysics 1 | 10 points | Semester 1 |
| GEOL462 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Topics in Geochemistry | 10 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| GEOL463 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Topics in Paleobiology and Evolution | 10 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| GEOL464 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Topics in Igneous Processes | 10 points | Semester 1 |
| GEOL465 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Topics in Structural Geology | 10 points | Semester 1 |
| GEOL471 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Topics in Geophysics 2 | 10 points | Semester 2 |
| GEOL472 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Topics in Environmental Geochemistry | 10 points | Semester 2 |
| GEOL473 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Topics in Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology | 10 points | Semester 2 |
| GEOL474 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Topics in Metamorphism and Mineralisation | 10 points | Semester 2 |
| GEOL475 | 2026, 2027 | Earthquake Science | 10 points | Semester 2 |
| GEOL480 | 2026, 2027 | Research Project | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (10 November 2025 - 7 November 2026), 2nd Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 28 May 2027), 2nd Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 28 May |
| GEOL490 | 2026, 2027 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 28 May 2027), 1st Non standard period (9 November 2026 - 5 November 2027), 2nd Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 9 June 2028) |
| GEOL495 | 2026, 2027 | Master's Thesis Preparation | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 28 May 2027), 1st Non standard period (9 November 2026 - 5 November 2027), 2nd Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 9 June 2028) |
Contacts
Professor Andrew Gorman
Department of Geology
Tel +64 3 479 7519
Email andrew.gorman@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/geology
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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