ESCI 111 introduces students to the Earth system. It covers the physical processes that shape the Earth and environment. It emphasises how humans interact with the environment, especially around key issues such as climate change and sea level rise, n...

ESCI 112 teaches the foundations of Earth Science, necessary for understanding and mitigating climate change and natural hazards, including sea-level rise, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In addition, the course covers environmentally responsible...

A broad introduction to Antarctica, including its history, exploration, weather, geology, fauna and management. Its role in the global climate system is emphasised. This course is primarily designed for non-science majors.

The Antarctic Research Centre is offering this summer course. Designed for science and non-science students, this course provides a summary of current knowledge on climate change, the evidence and its uncertainties, and possible climate scenarios for...

An introduction to features of sedimentary strata and fossils that form the basis for interpreting the geological history of a region from field observations and drill cores. The course includes flow channel studies of sediment movement in the labora...

An introduction to the fields of structural geology, tectonics and solid earth geophysics with the goal of describing the structure of the earth and the mechanisms by which it deforms. The laboratory component emphasises modern field-based methods of...

This course examines all common major rock types and introduces crystallography as it pertains to optical mineralogy, with examples of a variety of common minerals and rocks in hand sample and under the microscope. The course covers the origins of co...

An introduction to field techniques in geology held at the Geology department's field station at Onekaka, near Takaka, Northwest Nelson. The course trains students in basic methods of geological field mapping and provides training and experience in t...

A study of modern and past Earth environments and the key processes that have shaped them. This course focuses on understanding and interpreting evidence from the geological record for environmental change and using this knowledge to help predict fut...

An introduction to the fundamental concepts, principles and methods in global tectonics and structural geology. The laboratory part of the course emphasises practical methods of structural analysis and interpretation based on outcrop, rock mechanics,...

The course introduces fundamental concepts, principles and methods in geochemistry and the application of geochemical tools to geochronology, igneous, metamorphic rocks and processes. The formation, classification and geochemical behaviour of element...

This course covers geophysical techniques to explore the subsurface, with applications to engineering, environmental and groundwater monitoring, seismic hazard assessment, exploration for energy and mineral resources, and other aspects of Earth struc...

Topic to be advised.

Field sedimentary mapping in the hills east of Martinborough, covering the basics of mapping sedimentary sequences in an area of simple deformation. A map, cross- section and stratigraphic columns are prepared and an environmental analysis of the sec...

In this course, you will learn to recognise and describe active faults in the field. You will gain the ability to distinguish between ancient and active geological structures, gather and analyse structural data, quantify fault slip rates, and perform...

Methods and techniques for studying volcanic geology in the field. This course runs from Whakapapa in the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) of the central North Island. It examines the products of andesite and basalt eruptions from the Tongariro National Par...

Methods and techniques for field geophysical surveys. This block course runs over a week, usually during the mid-trimester break, in a part of New Zealand that may vary from year to year. Students will learn how to apply several different techniques ...

This international field course in earth sciences aims to examine key geographical, geological and/or geophysical localities. The course will offer a variable but unique insight, understanding and experience of earth science in the field beyond that ...

This course looks at the frontiers of research on the tectonics of plate boundaries and lithospheric geodynamics, focusing on current scientific debate about these topics with examples from around the world.

This course will review some of the latest results in the field of palaeobiology. Using research papers published over the last twelve months, we will choose the most exciting and extraordinary topics available. Depending on what’s published in that ...

This course examines the formation of the elements, origins of the Solar System, and accretion and differentiation of the rocky planets. It reviews the generation and modification of magmas and volcanoes and the investigation of metamorphic condition...

How can we know what materials are under the Earth’s surface? This course will cover methods to find out, including applications in environmental earth science such as seismic hazards, geothermal energy and groundwater. This new knowledge will prepar...

The course is a study of contemporary research papers in Paleoclimate science. Concentrates on environmental proxy indicators, dating methods and climate dynamics. Prominent NZ Quaternary records as well as high profile records from elsewhere are exa...

An advanced course presenting petrologic/geochemical techniques and concepts used for reconstructing Earth processes. Topics include trace element and isotope geochemistry, mantle processes and magmatism, and marine and paleoenvironmental geochemistr...

An advanced course covering why and how volcanoes form and the eruption styles that characterise magmas produced at different plate tectonic settings (subduction zone, mid-ocean ridges and oceanic and intraplate settings); quantitative geochemical me...

A supervised programme of study approved by the Head of School.

This international field course in earth sciences aims to examine key geographical, geological and/ or geophysical localities. The course will offer a variable but unique insight, understanding and experience of earth science in the field beyond that...

The physical and chemical phenomena governing  tectonism, magmatism, and active margin processes in general interact on a wide variety of timescales. This course explores the observations on which modern understanding of active earth processes are ba...

This course will examine stratigraphic principles and approaches used to reconstruct past depositional environments, to then interpret major tectonic and/or climatic events in Earth’s history. Geochemical and paleontological proxies will be used to i...

Earth materials are essential for renewable energy transition and sustainable development but their extraction impacts our environment. This course will explore the origin, extraction, uses and potential problems associated with a range of Earth reso...

This course will review a diverse range of current controversies and debates in paleobiology using recently published papers. Topics will be selected from a list supplied by us and/or proposed by the class. We will suggest some literature as a starti...