Certificate in Environmental Management

This programme will provide students with a solid foundation of environmental and conservation management knowledge and information and an ability to apply these skills across a range of environmental management contexts. The skills and knowledge gained are directly relevant to both historical and current environmental management issues. Students can not only create a pathway for future study but also develop comprehensive work habits applicable to most entry level employment in environmental management or related industries.

Please note: this course is Level 4, and therefore will not directly cross-credit to the Bachelor of Environmental Management which is at levels 5, 6 and 7.  However, it provides an excellent pathway into the degree programme.

ENV100  Ecology and Conservation (12 credits)

This module provides students with an introductory understanding of the ecological and biological principles fundamental to environmental management in New Zealand.

• Geological and biological origins of New Zealand
• Basic principles at work in an ecosystem
• The range of indigenous New Zealand habitat
• The risk to New Zealand from introduced pests and predators
• Weather patterns and interpretation of weather maps and forecasts

ENV102 Marine Ecology (12 credits)

This paper will provide students with a basic knowledge and understanding of the physical and ecological factors that characterise the coastal/marine environment. 

• Factors that have formed New Zealand’s Coastline
• How flora and fauna have adapted to inhabit the wide range of coastal / marine environments
• Characteristics of shoreline ecosystems
• Human use of marine and coastal environment
• Utilisation of marine resources in New Zealand

ENV103 Resource Management and Environmental Laws (12 credits)

This module will examine the historical and current international context of our New Zealand environmental law. 

• Historical background to New Zealand environmental law
• Core principles and purpose of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA)
• Involvement of Tangata Whenua in resource management
• Define ‘effect’ in the RMA
• The RMA 1991: Functions, powers and duties of central government and regional bodies

ENV104 Environmental Issues (12 credits)

The purpose of this module is to consider the issues that influence environmental management at global, national and local scales.  This includes the consideration of political, economic, social and environmental factors that influence the decisions relating to how and what we manage.

• Implications of global environmental issues on environmental management
• Issues involved with the use of land resources in New Zealand
• Environmental education and why an organisation would be involved in an environmental education programme
• Private versus public conservation strategies
• Environmental ethics

ENV105 Conservation Management (12 credits)

This module explores the problems and challenges associated with managing the New Zealand environment.

• Cultural perspectives and how they can influence the management of the environment
• The difference in the philosophical term of ‘conservation’ and ‘preservation’
• The New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy
• Impacts and potential of eco-tourism in New Zealand
• History of conservation history in New Zealand

Enrolment: Application forms are filled out on a year by year basis and students are welcome to apply for multiple intakes on the one application form.  Further enrolment is the responsibility of individual students.  There is no automatic enrolment rollover.

Transfers:  All study selected for a particular intake must be completed within that intake period and cannot be carried over to another intake, unless a transfer is requested within the first two weeks after the start date.  Each transfer requested into an alternative intake will incur an admin fee of $50.  Transfers are not permitted two weeks after the intake start date or between academic years.

Withdrawals:  In order to get a refund of fees, students must advise SIT2LRN of their application withdrawal, in writing, 14 days prior to programme start date.  Students can withdraw up to 75% of the way through the course, but will still be liable for the fees. Students must advise SIT2LRN in writing of their programme withdrawal.

This programme requires a computer and internet access. All students are required to use their SIT webmail only. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system, for which access will be given during the period of study.

Facilitator Assistance:  During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (week days only).  All students are required, within the first two weeks of intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study.  Students who have not completed this enrolment process or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2^nd week of intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme.  Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fee Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.

Assessments:

Each module consists of 5 assignments.  Assignments include essays, reports and online tests.  All assignments are to be emailed to the facilitator by 5.30pm on the assessment date.  There is 10% penalty each day the assessment is late.  The assessment schedule is available on Blackboard.  All assignments are to be submitted through SafeAssign.

For some modules, students are required to obtain reading material from the library.  All books are available from the SIT library.

Assessments for this course typically include essays and online tests (essay, short answer and multi-choice questions). There are no external exams for this course.

The Zero Fees Scheme applies to this course, so there are no tuition fees as long as you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident (residing in NZ), BUT there is a student direct material cost of $5.50 per credit of study undertaken, plus the required textbook/s listed below.  You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain your Zero Fees Scheme entitlement.

Payment is due on the start date of each intake enrolled in - for just the paper/s or unit/s that you have enrolled in for that intake.

All SIT2LRN courses are approved by Studylink.  Any queries regarding Studylink allowances, loans, and terms and conditions should be made directly to Studylink on 0800 88 99 00 or www.studylink.govt.nz.

There are no required textbooks that need to be purchased for this course.

Graduating students' employment opportunities may include entry level and or assistant type positions in regional or local authorities, environmental monitoring/testing, relevant government departments and farming industry; or further study in SIT's Bachelor of Environmental Management.

All applicants should demonstrate a keen interest in environmental management and exhibit academic attributes which demonstrate that applicants have a reasonable likelihood of successful completion of the programme.  A minimum of 18 years of age, with a minimum of four years secondary education is required.   School leavers should have attained a minimum of 12 credits at NCEA level 2 in each of four subjects.  Mature students (20 years of age or over at commencement of the programme) are welcome to apply.

For students to be considered to have satisfactorily completed this programme, and be eligible for award of the qualification Certificate in Environmental Management (Level 4) they must have completed all scheduled course work requirements and assessments, successfully completed assessment requirements for all unit standards, and achieved a total of 60 credits as specified in the programme schedule.