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UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Template 2: Qualification Change Template 2011 (for 2012)
Proposal Description
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Purpose of the proposal
To revise the requirements of the Environmental Science endorsement for the Bachelor of Science (BSc).
Justification
This proposal addresses a revision of the structure and requirements of the endorsement in Environmental Science for
the Bachelor of Science, The proposed revision is the result of a review carried out by the Dean of Science, in
consultation with the Coordinator of Environmental Science, Heads of Departments/Schools, Board of Studies: Science,
and Faculty of Science.
The aim of the revision is to provide a greater coherence and meaning to the endorsement, which previously had
included a very extensive range of courses, resulting in an endorsement with little unifying meaning. The revised
endorsement requirements focus on a set of key skills and bodies of knowledge that (a) are central to the practice of
environmental science; (b) are appropriate to undergraduate level achievement, and (c) appropriately complement
learning in each relevant BSc subject major. The endorsement in Environmental Science is available to BSc students
majoring in Biology or Chemistry or Geography or Geology. The review identified (1) the core knowledge and skills
required for all students completing an Environmental Science endorsement and (2) the core knowledge and skills for
the individual majors. The outcome of the review was informed by a recent relevant international report from the UK’s
NERC Environment Research Funders’ Forum report entitled ‘Skills Needs in the Environment Sector’, published in 2010,
to ensure that the proposed changes fit international professional and industry requirements.
The revised programme requires all endorsement students to complete a core/required component, as well as courses
for to their BSc major. Recommended courses are also listed. Where required Environmental Science courses overlap
with courses required in the majoring subject, students will be encouraged to consider taking a recommended course.
There is strong support for this proposal from Heads of Departments/School of Biological Sciences, Chemistry,
Geography and Geological Sciences. The Board of Studies: Science and the Faculty of Science have discussed the Dean’s
paper, and gave approval for the Dean and Academic Manager to develop the final proposal and forward to Academic
Board.
The Environmental Science endorsement is an existing programme within the majors of Biological Sciences, Chemistry,
Geography and Geology and therefore continues to complement, not compete, with existing programmes.
This proposal is compatible with the University of Canterbury’s Vision and Key Strategies: CHALLENGE Improving
Educational Performance; CONCENTRATE Producing high-quality research; CONNECT Engaging with stakeholders. The
proposal aligns with the College of Science strategic plan by providing education programmes that can make
appropriate contribution to their discipline areas and wider society.
Acceptability
Consultation on this proposal has been with the following individuals and groups:
Board of Studies: Science
Faculty of Science
Both the above groups have student representation.
Discussion and agreement from Heads of School/Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geography, and
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Geological Sciences.
The outcome of consultation has been agreement on the core and recommended courses for all BSc students and for
each of the four majors, including the introduction of mathematics and statistics as a core requirement and Chemistry at
100-level for Biological Sciences and Geology.
The transcripts of graduates between the years 2008-2010 were analysed and have been taken into account in the
proposed regulations. It is hoped that the Environmental Science endorsement may be more attractive to biologists and
chemists. The majority of graduates to date have been in Geology and Geography.
Useful feedback was received from Dr Clive Howard-Williams, Chief Scientist (Freshwater and Coasts), NIWA, Professor
Glenn McGregor, Director of School, School of Environment, University of Auckland and Dr David Norton, Rural Ecology
Research Group, School of Forestry.
Dr Norton noted that the proposal was an improvement on the existing endorsement, but did draw attention to the
absence of an environmental science course at 100, 200 and 300-levels. In response the Dean commented that this was
an initial attempt to improve the existing endorsement.
Goals of the programme
Environmental Science: Programme Goals
Bachelor of Science students who major in Biological Sciences or Chemistry or Geography or Geology with
an endorsement in Environmental Science will have, in addition to knowledge and skills from their major:
introductory knowledge of human-environment interactions
introductory knowledge of ecosystem processes
introductory skills in environmental mapping using geographic information systems
relevant practical skills in field and/or lab work
foundation knowledge and skills as preparation for postgraduate study in environmental science.
Graduate profile
Students who graduate with an endorsement in Environmental Science will meet the outcomes of the
graduate profiles of the BSc.
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science (BSc)
A graduate of a BSc is expected to be able to:
Personal Attributes
 Demonstrate knowledge of and an ability to apply scientific principles and concepts
 Solve problems through the application of scientific knowledge and methods
 Demonstrate analytical abilities
 Demonstrate the development of skills for lifelong learning
 Understand, evaluate, access and critically review new information
 Demonstrate the ability to think independently
 Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of and skill in his or her majoring subject
 Effectively access and use information relevant to the subject
 Demonstrate numeracy skills
Interactive Attributes
 Work collaboratively on tasks
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 Communicate effectively both in written and spoken English
Outcome statement
Upon completion of this environmental science endorsement students will have, in addition to their
Bachelor of Science major: introductory knowledge of human-environment interactions, ecosystem
processes, skills in environmental mapping using geographic information systems, and relevant practical
skills in field and/or lab work. This programme will prepare students for postgraduate study in
environmental science, which will prepare them for future employment as an environmental scientist or,
alternatively, provide complementary knowledge and skills working as a biologist, chemist, geologist or
geographer.
Programme overview
Students enrolling in the BSc majors of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geography and Geology complete, in addition to
the required courses for their major, the Environmental Science Endorsement courses listed under the core
requirements (60 points/0.5 efts) and the required courses specific to their majoring subject (15-45
points/0.1250/0.3700 efts). Students graduating Bachelor of Science with an Environmental Science Endorsement will
have the foundation knowledge and skills to study Environmental Science as a major at postgraduate level.
Proposed new regulations and prescriptions (use the Calendar Form at the end of Section A)
Please see the Calendar form below.
Proposed teaching/delivery methods
Delivery methods will be as per individual courses, including lectures, fieldtrips, tutorial, laboratory sessions.
Assessment procedures
Assessments will be according to the individual courses and in accordance with the University of Canterbury’s
assessment policy.
Predicted student numbers/EFTS
In the period 2008-2010, 68 students completed the BSc Endorsement in Environmental Science. The numbers of
enrolments in any individual year were in the range, 21-25 students.
Whilst it is difficult to predict with any accuracy the number of students likely to enrol, we expect to maintain current
levels of enrolment and are hopeful that, provided undergraduate enrolment levels are maintained post-earthquake,
that enrolments may increase by at least 5 students per year because of increased clarity of purpose of, and
requirements for, the endorsement
Resources
No additional resources are required.
Plans for monitoring programme quality
The programme will be subject to a CUAP graduating year review and the University of Canterbury’s quality assurance
processes.
Calendar Form
Degree Regulations
2011 Calendar, page 390
Schedule of Endorsements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science
Delete the existing entry and replace with the following regulations.
Environmental Science
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To qualify for an endorsement in Environmental Science, a student must be a Biology or Chemistry or Geography or
Geology major and complete the 360 points requirements for the Bachelor of Science. Of those 360 points, students
must complete successfully the required courses listed under Sections A and B below.
A: Core knowledge and skills for ALL BSc students endorsed in Environmental Science
Required courses (60 points)
Knowledge of ecosystem processes: BIOL 112 Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
Knowledge of human-environment interaction: either GEOG 106 Global Environmental Change or GEOL 113
Environmental Geohazards
Skills in GIS: GEOG 205 Introduction to GIS
Skills in basic maths and/or stats: one 100 level course in either STAT or MATH or BIOL 209 Introduction to Biological
Data Analysis
Recommended courses (15 points)
Knowledge of science in the Maori world view: SCIM 101 Science, Maori and Indigenous Knowledge
B: Core knowledge and skills for BSc students endorsed in Environmental Science to the
following majors
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Required courses (45 points):
Knowledge of basic chemistry: at least one Chemistry course at 100 level
Skills in environmental fieldwork: BIOL270 Ecology
CHEMISTRY
Required courses (45 points):
Relevant lab skills: CHEM 281 Practical Chemistry
Relevant instrumental skills: CHEM 382 Instrumental Methods
Environmental chemistry: CHEM 324 Analytical and Environmental Chemistry
GEOGRAPHY
Required (15 points):
Skills in environmental fieldwork: GEOG 211 Environmental Processes: Research Practice
Recommended (15 points):
Knowledge of basic chemistry: at least one Chemistry course at 100 level
GEOLOGY
Required (30 points):
Skills in environmental fieldwork: either GEOL 240 Field Studies A or GEOL 241 Field Studies B
Knowledge of basic chemistry: at least one Chemistry course at 100 level
Transition for Students who Enrolled in the Environmental Science Endorsement Prior to October 2011
To qualify for the endorsement in Environmental Science a student who enrolled prior to October 2011 must meet the
requirements of either the 2011 endorsement or the 2012 onwards endorsement. To graduate under the 2011
requirements the endorsement must be completed by 31 December 2014.
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