The Postgraduate Diploma in Science usually comprises four full-year courses or eight single-semester courses selected from a range of options. Geology in the twenty-first century is a fascinating, exciting, incredibly diverse and multidisciplinary subject. New Zealand, on the active margin of the Pacific with its volcanoes, earthquakes, dramatic geomorphology and 500 million years of geological history, is one of the best places on Earth to study geological processes. Our position in mid-southern latitudes and relative proximity to Antarctica means that New Zealand is a key location for climate change research. Geologists are directly involved in the monitoring, prediction and assessment of hazards such as volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides and tsunamis. The geologist has an important role in land planning processes and in assessing environmental impact. Geologists have developed one of the most exciting new scientific theories of the twentieth century – plate tectonics – which explains the origin and locations of all the major geological features and Earth building processes of the planet. Geologists also search for the natural resources which sustain our technological society, not least of all, water. The construction of buildings, bridges, roads, dams and reservoirs requires geological expertise.

Career opportunities Postgraduate study can bring many career benefits eg, specialist skills and enhanced knowledge, entry into specific occupations, higher starting salary/progression rates, research capability/achievement and evidence of high academic attainment/self-discipline. A career in Geology offers a very wide spectrum of work environments and employment opportunities. Geology graduates find positions as research scientists, policy analysts, exploration geophysicists, mining and exploration geologists, practitioner engineering geologist with consultancies, natural hazard analysts and consultants, coal and petroleum geologists, teachers, GIS specialists, environmental impact officers and consultants, hydro-geologists, seismic interpreters, resource advisors, research technicians, soil technicians and research assistants, museum curators, and more. They are employed in the mining and petroleum industries, national and local government, planning and conservation organisations, university teaching and research, secondary teaching, museums and science centres, energy companies, consulting and engineering firms, research institutes and exploration firms.