Note: This programme may have an on-campus or in-person requirement and therefore requires that students submit a current My Vaccine Pass on enrolment.
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 programme is the longest running programme 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:
You might be interested in courses from related subjects; entomology, behavioural and evolutionary ecology, and ornithology.
Further study
If you successfully complete this programme you could progress to study a Master of Science.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
Expected July 2023
Manawatu Campus
Massey University,
Tennent Drive,
Palmerston North,
Turitea,
4474, New Zealand
Students must have successful completion of a qualification equivalent to the New Zealand Year 13 - NCEA Level 3 University Entrance. International students need to check the equivalency of their secondary school qualification by reviewing the Academic Admission Requirements by Country.
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 16 credits in NCEA Level 2 Mathematics from the following list of standards: 91256, 91257, 91258, 91259, 91260, 91261, 91262, 91269.
At least 14 credits in NCEA Level 3 Chemistry
Students from a country where English is not the first language, must obtain a minimum English Language competency level.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
Delivering outstanding learning and ground-breaking research, Massey University has a rich history of academic excellence.
