Master of Applied Science (Biodiversity Management)

The world is changing rapidly. Climate disruption is happening faster than animals, plants, and human communities can adapt – unless we take extraordinary action. To lead the charge, Aotearoa, New Zealand needs biodiversity professionals who think innovatively, take action, and move seamlessly from the lab into the field. 

The Master of Applied Science (Biodiversity Management) allows you to choose the knowledge and skills you need to develop and advance your career. You’ll gain high-level analytical and strategic competency and undertake impactful research that contributes directly to your work and the wider industry while working on the ground to refine your practical field-based skills. You can also take 30 credits outside the programme to further strengthen your proficiency in other relevant disciplines.  

When you graduate, you’ll be able to:

• apply advanced technical knowledge and skills – design, conduct and disseminate independent research using recognised industry methodologies, data analysis, and effective problem-solving 
• develop and maintain collaborative relationships with mana whenua and a range of stakeholders 
• contribute to improved practice and environmental sustainability in business, government, and non-governmental sectors through critical evaluation, new knowledge, insight, and innovation 
• apply cross-cultural perspectives, understanding, and engagement with indigenous bodies of knowledge, practices, and worldviews with a critical focus on Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in applied science  
• critically assess the impacts of human activity on the global environment and how environmental management in Aotearoa could address these issues.

Highlights

Earn and learn: This programme is a mix of online learning and on-campus block courses, field trips, and online learning, making it an excellent option for biodiversity professionals who are already working and want to start postgraduate study.

Tap into a national network of experts and industry partners: As part of Te Pūkenga, this master’s programme is co-taught by scientists and other experts from around Aotearoa, New Zealand, through online learning and block courses. With block courses, you may be able to choose what and where you could learn – explore DNA sequencing in Auckland, do environmental monitoring in Rotorua, take part in marine and freshwater field work in Nelson or Tauranga, or explore biosecurity measures for islands and ports in Invercargill. You’ll work closely with local industry partners to apply your learnings in the field or workplace every step of the way.

Integrating Western perspectives with Mātauranga Māori: Adapting to environmental crises requires collaboration. In Aotearoa, New Zealand, that means working with local Māori iwi and hapu. This master’s programme balances Indigenous knowledge with scientific understanding to help you unlock innovative solutions.

Undertake meaningful research: Choose from a wide range of thesis topics supported by highly qualified supervisors to focus on your area of interest. You might choose to do a workplace project, collaborate with industry or acquire research funding for a specific project. The only condition is to base your thesis on a research project that delivers actionable outcomes for the industry or the community. Completing your thesis is a great chance to push your independent research capabilities, and your thesis and industry advisors will be there to support you.

Focus on partnership and stakeholder engagement: You’ll hone your relationship-building and collaboration skills to work professionally with mana whenua (indigenous people of the land) and other stakeholders (policymakers, environmental managers, and landowners) and drive the best outcomes for our land and people.

Lab facilities and outdoor experiences (local and national): Depending on where you choose to complete your compulsory on-campus block courses, you’ll learn in a range of facilities, including molecular biology, microbiology, and GIS labs, Marae, herbaria and invertebrate collections, aquaculture facilities, simulators, outdoor and other specialist equipment, and machinery. 

Scholarships and awards

At Unitec, we want to manaaki student success wherever we can, and scholarships are one of the ways we do that. We have scholarships that recognise the achievements and the challenges of dedicating yourself to learning, whether in vocational trade, at the undergraduate level, or the master's degree level and beyond. Check out the scholarships listed below. The filters under Award Types, Characteristics, and Status will help refine your search. If you have questions, please email our Scholarships team or book in with a Scholarships advisor.