Earth Systems

New Zealand Earth Systems: January - June, 2011

The Earth Systems campus component is now offered at the University of Auckland and the University of Canterbury

Earth Systems Study of Science Programme (Earth Systems) is an interdisciplinary programme integrating geology, marine and coastal ecology, environmental science, policy, management and economics as a basis for tackling environmental issues arising at the interface between nature and society. Despite the universal perception of a pristine country, New Zealand faces many of the same environmental issues that have ultimately led past civilizations to the brink of collapse.

The Earth Systems program combines a five-week field camp experience with a campus semester at either the University of Auckland or the University of Canterbury. The programme consists of five course credits transcripted by Lafayette College.

Field Camp: January 16th - February 19th, 2011

Earth Systems

The 5-week field camp is divided into several interrelated modules, beginning in the Cook Islands, a South Pacific island nation and territory of New Zealand, then transitioning to New Zealand's North Island Central Volcanic Plateau and Bay of Plenty. Focusing on field and research based education students study how the geosphere, bioshpere, hydrosphere, and anthrosphere systems interact to form the New Zealand Earth System.

The 2010 Modules are:

Marine Ecology and Coastal Management of the Cook Islands
Maori perspectives on environmental guardianship or kaitiakitanga
Volcanoes - giveth life and taketh away: hazards and geothermal energy
Surf and Turf: A study of a Holocene prograding dune system using ground penetrating radar, vibra-core, and total station surveying
Environmental and Natural Hazards: Analyzing real and perceived hazards in the Rangitaiki Plains or the Canterbury Plains (Programme dependent)

Central to the Earth Systems Programme is Kaitiakitanga - Maori perspectives on environmental guardianship. Led by Earth Systems Director, Dan Hikuroa, (a Maori scientist) students learn how indigenous practices can be utilized in modern society. Following field camp students spend a semester at the University of Auckland in Auckland or the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, NZ.

Additional Module Information

Campus Semester February 21st - June 27th, 2011

Earth Systems

The field camp experience will transition into a semester at the University of Auckland or the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ. Students will enroll and receive credits for 3 courses and a required fourth course based on research project during the field camp. Students enrolled at the University of Canterbury will focus their studies on water resources and contaminant fate and transport. Students at the University of Auckland will focus their work on Marine and Coastal sciences and management and Kaitiakitanga.

Click here view past student research projects

Programme Director: Dr. Dan Hikuroa, Earth Scientist, Institute of Earth Science and Engineering, University of Auckland

Dan in Action!

Dan is an expert in environmental sciences and earth systems, and has a unique ability to blend his scientific knowledge with his Maori heritage. Dan has designed and taught field geology and environmental science courses for Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi in Whakatane and is team leader on several University of Auckland and Frontiers Abroad research initiatives in the Bay of Plenty region on New Zealand. He is currently leading research efforts to integrate indigenous knowledge into modern science practices for environmental restoration and geothermal energy. In addition to his research and Frontiers Abroad duties, Dan instructs courses for the School of the Environement, Univeristy of Auckland.

Programme Details

Credits/Units: Five course credits transcripted by the Lafayette College.

Earth Systems Field Camp
Environmental Field Research Methods & Independent Study
Two course within the School of the Environment (Auckland) or two course relating to Earth Systems or environmental sciences (Canterbury)
One courses of your choosing

Tution: 15,600.00 USD

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