Is the Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours a stronger degree for the future than a Bachelor of Science majoring in Environmental Science?
It depends on what you want to do. If you are wanting to study environmental science with another major then the BSc is a good option. If you are looking for a specialised environmental science degree with a particular environmental focus such as freshwater or environmental change, the Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours will suit you best.
Is the Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours more hands-on and outdoors in comparison to the Bachelor of Science?
The core for the BEnvSci(Hons) is an expanded version of the Environmental Science major in the BSc. The amount of practical and field trip activity will depend on your major, but you will be doing lab work and field work within the core of the environmental science degree.
Do students opt-in for Honours or do all students undertake Honours projects. How is the Honours portion of the degree structured?
The Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours is a 4-year Honours degree, just like Engineering.
A student needs to pass ENVR301 and 302 with a B average or better to be permitted to continue on to Honours.
The Honours year consists of 90 points of courses and the 30 point research project.
Do you need a strong background in chemistry to do a Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours?
If you don't have Chemistry to NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent) you can take CHEM114 when you get to UC, which is an introductory Chemistry paper. It is helpful to have Chemistry at NCEA Level 3
What sort of class sizes are there for this degree?
This can depend on the course, but a lot of our first-year courses can be 600 students or more, especially when the course sits in more than one major or degree or it is a compulsory course.
Over what period of time is the 400 hours of integrated work experience done, and is it during summer or class time?
We expect students studying full-time to do the work experience over the summer, but some students might be able to work during term time. The 400 hours are not included as class time. Students are not expected to start this work until after the end of second year.
If I want to study law and environmental science what is the best option?
The best option is to do a BSc in environmental science. The combination will take you a minimum of 5 years to complete.
What careers does this degree lead to?
The job market for a degree in environmental science is very good. The type of job you will get will depend on the major you have taken, for example, if you do the freshwater major you might work for a regional council in their hydrology teams.
What majors can you do with environmental science?
In the BSc, you can do the Environmental Science double major with any other major for the degree.
In the Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours, there are six majors they are
- Ecosystem Health and Biosecurity,
- Environmental Change,
- Environmental Contamination
- Environmental Hazards and Disasters
- Freshwater and
- Sustainable Coasts
