Course details

Summary

Study marine biology in New Zealand's beautiful Bay of Plenty. Our students join us from all over the world to be a part of the fantastic field trips and to be with like-minded people learning about our stunning marine and freshwater environments, and the role they play in a healthy ecosystem. (This course was previously known as Diploma in Marine Studies).

You'll learn about the fascinating range of plants, invertebrates, mammals, birds and fish that live above and below the water.

The year of study will whet your appetite to continue on to the Level 6 diploma which starts in 2019, where you'll gain more advanced skills and knowledge, with a focus on research, and environmental and ecological reporting and monitoring.

You’ll also be able to choose from a range of elective papers with an aquaculture, biosecurity, ecological, diving, or marine tourism focus. If you choose the coral reef ecology and monitoring option you may even travel as far as Papua New Guinea to study the reefs.

By the time you graduate you’ll have gained a variety of practical and risk management skills, and if you want to gain a degree, these diplomas are your ticket into the third year of the Bachelor of Science with the University of Waikato. You may even decide to continue on further to complete your Masters and PhD.

Upon successfully completing the requirements you'll receive the award of:

• New Zealand Diploma in Environmental Management (Marine) (Level 5)

If you select the diving pathway as an option you may also receive the award of:

• National Certificate in Diving (Foundation Skills) (Level 3)

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

This course is designed as entry to the Level 6 diploma. Career opportunities on completion of the Level 6 diploma include:

• freshwater or marine monitoring
• biosecurity
• iwi liaison
• fisheries enforcement officers/observers on fishing vessels
• biosecurity officers
• diving - PADI instructors
• specialised research projects
• environmental reporting
• own business enterprises
• roles within:
• regional councils (education, dune care)
• NZ Customs
• MPI
• aquariums
• aquaculture industry (New Zealand and overseas)

TOPICS YOU'LL COVER

• Conservation Biology and Sustainability
• Risk Management
• Marine Botany
• Introduction to Marine Science and Ecology
• Marine Invertebrates
• Marine Vertebrates
• Marine Biology Surveying Techniques

Plus you'll choose ONE of the following electives:

• Waste Management
• Fisheries Management

Entry criteria

A minimum of 42 credits at NCEA Level 3 or equivalent (suggested subjects are English, Mathematics and Biology/Sciences) or equivalent overseas qualification.

English Language requirements:

Level 5 certificate or diploma

IELTS Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5.0; TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) score of 46 or higher (with a writing score of 20); TOEFL Paper-based test (pBT) score of 550 (with an essay score of 5.0 TWE); FCE, FCE for schools, with a score of 162, no less than 154 in each skill; NZCEL of Level 4 with the Academic endorsement; PToE (Academic) score of 42.