Ecology and Conservation – Bachelor of Science

Massey University

New Zealand, Palmerston North

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Home/New Zealand/Palmerston North /Massey University/Ecology and Conservation – Bachelor of Science

Massey University

New Zealand , Palmerston North

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesMay-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 3 year(s)

Tuition Fee

NZD 38,680 / year

Next Intake May-2026

Ecology and Conservation – Bachelor of Science

About

Specialise in Ecology and Conservation for your Bachelor of Science at Massey

We now have a great deal of information about the natural world available to us – the problem is how to make sense of that information. Ecology attempts to do this. It is a broad discipline that teaches you how to make sense of the interactions between organisms and their environment.

The Bachelor of Science (Ecology and Conservation) at Massey offers some of the best courses on ecology in New Zealand - making it the number one choice if you want a broad knowledge in the discipline.

Our ecology staff are world-leading and their cutting edge research features heavily in the teaching.
You can expect to learn about the latest research findings in lectures.
Our ecology qualification is the longest running qualification of its kind in New Zealand (more than 20 years).

Hands-on experience

Practical labs and field trips are an important part of all the ecology courses. You might learn how to identify fish and invertebrates for monitoring water quality, how to build a computer model to predict the recovery of an endangered species or set a sustainable quota for a fishery, or how to survey biodiversity in a forest or the ocean.

Broad range of topics

The courses taught in the ecology and conservation major include:

biodiversity of New Zealand
ecology and conservation
biological evolution
ecosystem health
freshwater ecology
conservation science
plant-biotic interactions
molecular ecology

You might be interested in courses from related subjects; entomology, behavioural and evolutionary ecology, and ornithology.

Further study

Many of our students go onto postgraduate study in qualifications such as the Master of Science or a PhD in ecology or conservation biology. This really helps get you into a career as a research scientist or higher level management and policy where you can make a real difference.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Massey University entry requirements

Specific requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification, outside of university admission regulations. However there is some expected background knowledge.

Expected high school preparation

Knowledge gained in the following NCEA subjects (or the equivalent in Cambridge International Examinations, International Baccalaureate, or similar) will give you the expected background knowledge to take this major.

At least 14 credits in NCEA Level 3 Biology

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

Massey University English language requirements

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Can't meet the entry requirements?

Haven’t studied the right subjects at high school?

The following pathways will get you prepared to study this major. If you have not studied NCEA Level 3 Biology (or equivalent) take the following course first:

162103 Introductory Biology

This course is available in the summer semester and will count towards credits in your degree.

Summer School

English Program Requirements

English Evidence Academic IELTS^: 6.0 overall and minimum 5.5 in each band

English Evidence TOEFL iBT: Overall score 80, minimum 19 in Writing

English Evidence Pearson Test of English (PTE): 50 overall and minimum 42 in each communicative skills

Career

Many of our graduates work with the Department of Conservation or other government agencies. There are great opportunities for graduates in ecology and conservation to work with managed ecosystems (e.g. farming, forestry, fisheries). The interactions between scientists interested in managed and natural ecosystems is a particular focus at Massey University.

Many of our graduates go on to positions with central and local government or their agencies (such as regional and district councils), Crown Research Institutes, environmental or conservation organisations, ecological consultancy, school teaching, or technical and advisory work.

A postgraduate qualification in ecology will allow you to approach many environmental research and management issues from a strong theoretical and practical base. You might work:

with an interdisciplinary team in a private environmental consulting firm
in a government research laboratory
working with a regional council managing water quality
with a fish and game council concerned with the impacts of water quality on trout.

Other possible career areas include forestry, fisheries, eco-tourism and education.

Earn more

A 2017 Ministry of Education publication The post-study earnings and destinations of young domestic graduates showed that those who complete a qualification in a science, agriculture, technology, computer science, engineering or mathematics field of study have high relative earnings after they complete their study compared to the national median. Earnings can be substantially more than other graduates.