Study Abroad at UC Science

PHYS285: Technical and Professional Skills for Physicists (S1)

This is a laboratory-based course which involves learning experimental techniques, data acquisition and analysis, scientific writing and career skills.

ASTR211: Imaging the Universe (S2) 

This is a very hands-on astronomy course, with assessment by way of practical assignments. The syllabus includes topics such as: telescopes, CCDs, filters, general image processing methods, astrometry, coordinate systems and time, photometry and spectroscopy.

Includes a week long field trip to Mt John Observatory, one of UCs field sites, situated in beautiful Lake Tekapo. Lake Tekapo is a dark sky reserve, meaning the night skies are unpolluted, making it an excellent place for observations and discoveries of the southern sky.

PHYS381/ASTR381: Advanced Experimental Physics and Astronomy (S2)

This is a laboratory based course where students undertake the execution and write up of experiments in the university’s world class teaching laboratories. The analysis and interpretation of observations also develop complementary skills, such as scientific programming which are highly sought after by employers.

BIOL212 – Marine Biology and Ecology (S1)

This course provides an introduction to the biology and ecology of the marine environment. It focuses on marine communities and the biodiversity, ecology and adaptations of marine organisms.

A 3 day field trip to Kaikōura and laboratory sessions are an integral part of the course designed to complement lectures.

Kaikōura is a marine hotspot, with an abundance of wildlife and a dedicated marine management area. Due to the deep Kaikōura canyons that run alongside the coast, it makes for rare conditions which are optimal for a rich food chain.

Kaikōura is home to a New Zealand fur seal colony, resident Sperm Whales, Dusky Dolphins and many species of seabirds. There is also incredible intertidal zones due to the significant uplift from the 2016 Kaikōura earthquakes, making for great rock pooling.

BIOL275 – Freshwater Ecosystems/ Field Ecology (S1)

This course provides a fundamental grounding in the practical skills used in ecology, the study of relationships between organisms and their environment. There is a particular emphasis on the problems and issues affecting natural systems, and how ecological knowledge can be applied to achieve solutions.

The focus of the course is a four-day field trip to the UC Cass field station near Arthur’s Pass National Park at the base of the Southern Alps (Kā Tiritiri o te Moana).

Cass mountain research area is an hour and a half’s drive from Christchurch, consisting of 1775 ha of mountain land with a wide range of environments including montane grasslands, scrub, riverbed, scree, beech forest, swamp, bog, lake, stream and alpine habitats which can all be reached by day trips on foot.

Combined with laboratory sessions prior to develop core skills, the field course allows students to develop expertise in field experimental design and sampling, data analysis and interpretation, and identification of common species as well as providing practical experience in some wonderful high-country environments.

BIOL384 – Marine Ecosystems (S2)

This course advances the concepts of how marine species interact with each other and the environment to form functional populations and communities. This course is intended for those wishing to pursue a deeper understanding of how marine ecosystems function, and the natural and human-induced changes affecting them.

Students are taught hands-on field sampling techniques for monitoring biodiversity in nearshore marine benthic communities and give oral presentations and written reports that analyse problems, avenues to solutions and results of experimental testing.

The field trip is held at Living Springs in Banks Peninsula, set on 420ha of native bush and rural farmland that spans from the crater rim to the foreshore of Lyttelton Harbour.

WATR203: Freshwater Science Field Skills (Summer)

This course aims to develop the basic skills required to measure aspects of freshwater ecosystems including physical habitats, water chemistry, freshwater invertebrates, and fish.

Includes a week field trip to Cass Field Station, near Arthur’s Pass National Park at the base of the Southern Alps (Kā Tiritiri o te Moana).

Cass mountain research area is an hour and a half’s drive from Christchurch, consisting of 1775 ha of mountain land with a wide range of environments including montane grasslands, scrub, riverbed, scree, beech forest, swamp, bog, lake, stream and alpine habitats which can all be reached by day trips on foot.

CHEM 281: Practical Chemistry (S1)

This laboratory course presents some of the more common methods of characterisation which can be carried out on chemical compounds. It is important to have an awareness of how these can be applied, what information they offer and their limitations to be able to carry out the chemical detective work, which is research. The analysis of compounds and compound behaviour is essential in the understanding of chemistry and its place in our society.

BCHM 281: Practical Biochemistry (S2)

Practical biochemistry involves the preparation of all sorts of organic, inorganic, organometallic, and biological compounds, and the measurement of their properties and reactions. Because of the diversity of materials, a wide variety of laboratory techniques can be acquired in the course of carrying out synthesis, purification, and analysis. This laboratory course also presents some of the more common methods of chemical characterisation.

CHEM 381: Advanced Synthetic Techniques (S1)

This is a laboratory based course to develop technical skills in synthetic chemistry. The focus of the course is on the safe handling and manipulation of organic and inorganic compounds during synthetic sequences.

CHEM 382: Instrumental Methods (S2)

This course consists of a series of laboratory experiments and a mini project, all involving instrumental measurements in physical, analytical and environmental chemistry.

GEOG110: Human Geography; People, Process, Place (S1)

This course examines how places come to have certain characteristics and how this affects the people living in them. It will look at the economic, political, population and planning dimension of places.

ENVR209: Environmental Science and Resource Management (S2)

This course explores the debates and issues in environmental science and resource management using the core theme of agriculture and the environment. There is an emphasis on developing solutions to environmental issues.

The course takes a quantitative approach to environmental issues, teaching students to make informed decisions based on biophysical data integrated with policies and practices of management in the global and New Zealand context. Tikanga Māori aspects of agriculture and the environment will be covered.

GEOG211: Environmental Processes; Research Practice (S1)

The primary aim is for students to be provided with the skills they need to complete a research project from start to finish. This includes background concepts, hypothesis, planning what is required (including the skills they will need, fieldwork required, etc.), and executing the plan (i.e. undertaking the fieldwork), and writing up the results. The field skills gained are very important for future field-based roles.

Centred around a 4 day field trip with the development of a project from idea, investigation and write up. The field trip takes place at Cass Field Station near Arthur’s Pass National Park at the base of the Southern Alps (Kā Tiritiri o te Moana).

Cass mountain research area is an hour and a half’s drive from Christchurch, consisting of 1775 ha of mountain land with a wide range of environments including montane grasslands, scrub, riverbed, scree, beech forest, swamp, bog, lake, stream and alpine habitats which can all be reached by day trips on foot.

GEOG309: Research Methods in Geography (S2)

The primary goal of this course is to develop a students' ability to undertake research that supports resilient environments and communities.

The course takes a novel approach being based on a combination of problem-based and service learning in which students learn by being engaged in the research process working with a community partner.

The projects that groups undertake are intended to contribute towards practical outcomes for community partners such as the Avon-Otākaro Network, Trees for Canterbury, Environment Canterbury, and residents’ associations from different parts of the city.

The course includes a field trip to Living Springs for a workshop and an end of course conference, which is based in Banks Peninsula on 420ha of native bush.

ENVR356 – Field focused Research Methods in Environmental Science (S2)

(Frontiers Abroad students only)

This course links field modules and/or data collection with instruction in research methods and tutorials dedicated to working in research teams analyzing, processing and interpreting data.

As part of this course, students conduct their own independent research component as part of a larger team research project.  At the end of the course students will have completed a series of learning objectives, written a short journal-article style paper, and delivered a professional research presentation.

Includes a 5 day field trip to collect research data.

GEOG402: Resilient Cities (S1)

This course explores the contemporary and pressing issue of urban development, in a context where urbanisation globally is rapidly rising and increasing numbers of cities, both large and small, are subject to acute as well as long term stressors, such as traffic and pollution problems, social pressures, environmental hazards and climate change emergency.

It includes a focus on the growing need for cities to be resilient to the many challenges, and problematizes the concept of ‘resilience’, exploring its meaning, political context, its relation to place and a discussion of how community and governance processes are key to resilience in place.

Includes a practical and applied element, with research carried out in teams in Christchurch to give practical effect to theory, reading and discussion. This practical element is carried out in collaboration with local community organisations.

Christchurch currently exhibits a number of ecological restoration and urban regeneration opportunities, which can be tackled in alignment with climate change adaptation, with focus on socio-ecological resilience – making it a great study site.

GEOG415: Geography Internship (S2)

This course allows Geography students to apply their discipline specific skills within business, government, industry and non-profit organisations while gaining work-related experience.

GEOL113: Environmental Geohazards (S2)

This subject introduces students to the dynamic nature of earth, using case studies to understand how natural events can be hazardous to society and what strategies can reduce the impact of disasters.

GEOL240: Field Studies A - Mapping (S1)

Geological mapping involves the observation, recording, presentation and interpretation of field data, which are all fundamental skills required by practising geologists. This course will give you relevant field experience for future geology positions.

Students enrolling in GEOL240 will prepare a geologic map, cross-section, and written report for the Glens of Tekoa area of North Canterbury based on field data collected during a 6-day fieldtrip held during semester break.

A single day fieldtrip held over a weekend in the first term in the Port Hills will introduce the fundamental field skills needed for the fieldtrip, including navigation and field note collection. Labs over both terms will introduce students to geological map reading and interpretation skills.

GEOL241: Field Studies B - Field Techniques (S2)

Geological mapping involves the observation, recording and interpretation of field data, and is a fundamental skill required by all practicing geologists. GEOL241 introduces field techniques to students – these include identification and description of a variety of rock types, measuring stratigraphic columns, collection and interpretation of rock deformation structures, assessment of igneous rock relationships as well as geological mapping.

This course comprises 7 days of field geology, based in Kawatiri | Westport, during August/September during which a variety of field data will be collected.

Kawatiri/Westport is tucked between the mountains and the Tasman Sea on New Zealands West Coast. It is a geological wonderland, with limestone forms and high-quality bituminous coal, as well as a variety of important ecological habitats.

GEOL352: Field Studies A - Advanced Field Mapping (S1)

Field based course including a 5-6 field trip to either Kaikōura or Cass to undertake field mapping exercises.

GEOL351: Field Studies B - Advanced Field Techniques (S1)

This course involves extended field work aimed at broadening geological experience in the understanding and interpretation of rocks.

Includes a field trip to either the West Coast or Oamaru.

GEOL354: Geodynamics and Geohazards (S1)

Interdisciplinary course focussing on connections between potentially hazardous geological events and societal risk. 

GEOL356 – Field focused Research Methods in Environmental Science (S2)

(Frontiers Abroad students only)

This course links field modules and/or data collection with instruction in research methods and tutorials dedicated to working in research teams analyzing, processing and interpreting data.

As part of this course, students conduct their own independent research component as part of a larger team research project.  At the end of the course students will have completed a series of learning objectives, written a short journal-article style paper, and delivered a professional research presentation.

Includes a 5 day field trip to collect research data.

UC Science offers courses across a wide range of subjects. For more information on these, visit the links below.

• Astronomy
• Biochemistry
• Biological Sciences
• Biosecurity
• Chemistry
• Communication Disorders
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Economics
• Environmental Science
• Finance
• Financial Engineering
• Geography
• Geology
• Linguistics
• Mathematics
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Psychology
• Statistics