PG Dip in Science specialisation in Environmental Physics

If you’re interested in the Earth and its environment and would like a physics-based understanding of it, then Environmental Physics is a great subject to study.

You will take a mix of advanced courses in Geology, Mathematics and Physics and focus on applied/solid earth, atmospheric or marine environmental physics.
Research areas include:
- Climate and environmental change
- Atmospheric and ocean dynamics and processes
- Environmental data analysis and modelling
- Subsurface imaging and investigation, including with seismic and radar waves, and potential field methods

Depending on your focus, the specialised knowledge you can gain includes:
- Developing subsurface geological models
- Learning techniques to analyse and explain the characteristics of climate and environmental change
- Learning how to analyse and optimise data for sub-surface investigation
- Developing data science skills for environmental analytics using data from traditional networks , satellites and field measurements.

Graduates can expect to find employment researching global processes such as plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, the oceans, atmosphere and climate. They can also become explorers for natural resources, looking for oil, minerals and groundwater, and help to monitor and manage environmental problems including natural hazards such as earthquakes, climate change and pollution.

Postgraduate study in Environmental Physics prepares you for employment in areas that rely on a physics-based understanding of our environment.
Jobs related to Environmental Physics
- Atmospheric scientist
- Energy industry (hydrocarbon, geothermal)
- Geohazard research
- Ground water exploration, monitoring companies, consultancies
- Meteorological service
- Mineral exploration
- Oceanographer
- Research at Crown Institutes such as GNS or NIWA
- Environmental analyst in industry, government and non-government organisations

Prerequisite: A major in Environmental Physics, Geophysics or its equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee

Complete 120 points comprising:

45 points from Group 1 Elective Courses, and
75 points for Group 2 Elective Courses

Group 1 Elective Courses

Complete exactly 45 points from the following:

ENVPHYS 700 - Frontiers in Climate Science (15 points)

ENVPHYS 701 - Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics (15 points)

ENVPHYS 702 - Subsurface Characterisation with Geophysical Methods (15 points)

ENVPHYS 703 - Special Topic (15 points)

PHYSICS 743 - Waves and Potentials (15 points)

Group 2 Elective Courses

Complete 75 points comprising:

0 to 45 points from Environmental Physics Elective Courses, and
0 to 75 points from Earth Sciences, Geography, Mathematics, Physics Elective Courses, and
0 to 75 points from SCIFAC - Faculty of Science including child orgs at levels 600 to 700 Other Approved Courses