Postgraduate study in Earth Sciences
What can you study in Earth Sciences?
Postgraduate study in Earth Sciences encompasses the study of the earth and earth processes that can also fall into the disciplines of geology, geophysics and physical geography.
Areas of research interests open to exploration include:
- Climate and Society
- Coasts and Rivers
- Environmental Change
- Hazards and Disasters
- Natural Resources
- Volcanology, Petrology and Geochemistry
Structuring your postgraduate programme in Earth Sciences
Bachelor of Science (Honours) BSc(Hons) in Earth Sciences
At least 60 points from:
- EARTHSCI 705 Geohazards
- EARTHSCI 714 Faults and Fluids
- EARTHSCI 720 Environmental Geochemistry
- EARTHSCI 732 Exploring Environmental Change
- EARTHSCI 752 Volcanoes
- EARTHSCI 754 Integrated Sedimentology and Tectonics
- EARTHSCI 770 Field Engineering Geology
- EARTHSCI771 Advanced Engineering Geology
- EARTHSCI 772 Hydrogeology
- ASTRO 720 Planetary Science
May take up to 30 points from:
- GEOG 771 Spatial Analysis and Geocomputation
- GEOG 745 Applied Fluvial Geomorphology
- GEOGI 746 Applied Coastal Geomorphology
- ENVPHYS 702 Subsurface Characterisation with Geophysical Methods
- Or other courses approved by the Program Coordinator
30 points:
EARTHSCI 789 Dissertation
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Earth Sciences
At least 90 points from:
- EARTHSCI 705 Geohazards
- EARTHSCI 714 Faults and Fluids
- EARTHSCI 720 Environmental Geochemistry
- EARTHSCI 732 Exploring Environmental Change
- EARTHSCI 752 Volcanoes
- EARTHSCI 754 Integrated Sedimentology and Tectonics
- EARTHSCI 770 Field Engineering Geology
- EARTHSCI 771 Engineering Geology
- EARTHSCI 772 Hydrogeology
- ASTRO 720 Planetary Science
May take up to 30 points from:
GEOG 771 Spatial Analysis and Geocomputation
GEOG 745 Applied Fluvial Geomorphology
GEOGI 746 Applied Coastal Geomorphology
ENVPHYS 702 Subsurface Characterisation with Geophysical Methods
Or other course approved by the Program Coordinator
Master of Science (MSc) in Earth Sciences 120-point research masters
120 points:
EARTHSCI 796 MSc Thesis in Earth Sciences
Master of Science (MSc) in Earth Sciences 240-point research masters
At least 90 points from:
- EARTHSCI 705 Geohazards
- EARTHSCI 714 Faults and Fluids
- EARTHSCI 720 Environmental Geochemistry
- EARTHSCI 732 Exploring Environmental Change
- EARTHSCI 752 Volcanoes
- EARTHSCI 754 Integrated Sedimentology and Tectonics
- EARTHSCI 770 Field Engineering Geology
- EARTHSCI 771 Engineering Geology
- EARTHSCI 772 Hydrogeology
- ASTRO 720 Planetary Science
May take up to 30 points from:
- GEOG 771 Spatial Analysis and Geocomputationz
- GEOG 745 Applied Fluvial Geomorphology
- GEOGI 746 Applied Coastal Geomorphology
- ENVPHYS 702 Subsurface Characterisation with Geophysical Methods
- Or other course approved by the Program Coordinator
120 points:
EARTHSCI 796 MSc Thesis in Earth Sciences
Courses
Explore the postgraduate courses you can take for a Earth Sciences major:
Where can postgraduate study in Earth Sciences take you?
Our graduates establish careers in areas such as resource management, hydrology, hydrogeology, coastal management, catchment management, water resources, mineral exploration, petroleum exploration, environmental geochemistry, engineering geology, natural hazards research, meteorology and geothermal energy.
Jobs related to Earth Sciences
- Climate scientist
- Engineering geologist
- Environmental assessment, restoration and rehabilitation
- Environmental consultant
- Exploration geologist
- Geochemist
- Geologist
- Geomorphologist
- Geophysicist
- Geotechnical analyst
- Hydrologist/hydrogeologist
- Landscape modeller
- Marine geologist
- Palaeontologist
- Resource, hazard, risk and environmental analyst/manager
- Seismologist
- Soil scientist
- Sustainability consultant
- Volcanologist
Scholarships and awards
Each year we award scholarships and prizes to thousands of students.
Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for, search available scholarships or begin an application by visiting Scholarships and awards.
Help and advice
Student Hubs
Visit your hubs for help and advice on any aspect of your studies and life at University.
The Student Hubs are your physical gateway to Waipapa Taumata Rau | the University of Auckland.
The Student Hubs services are available seven days a week at the City, Grafton, Epsom and Tai Tonga campuses and six days a week at Tai Tokerau, with friendly staff available to provide you with advice on any aspect of your studies and life at the University.