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School of Environmental and Animal Sciences

Looking for a career working with animals or protecting Aotearoa’s natural environment? Unitec’s School of Environmental and Animal Sciences is made up of staff with a passion for everything relating to animals and the environment. Whether you’re interested in studying an animal care and management programme, a conservation qualification, or becoming a veterinary nurse, you can find your thing at Unitec.

School overview

Unitec’s Environmental and Animal Sciences programmes will prepare students for an exciting and rewarding career caring for animals, protecting our natural environment, or helping to solve environmental issues. Our staff are experts in animal care, animal management and welfare, biosecurity, canine behaviour and training, conservation, biodiversity management, veterinary nursing and zoo-keeping.  

We provide a friendly and supportive learning environment where we’re all focused on finding better ways to protect Aotearoa's unique flora and fauna and the companion animals that we love. We have industry connections with zoos and wildlife parks, the Department of Conservation, MPI (Ministry of Primary Industries) Biosecurity and Auckland SPCA. 

Animal Management and Welfare 

Animal Management and Welfare students learn hands-on, developing the industry-specific skills they need to handle and care for animals in a range of different settings. Whether it's animal advocacy, management and welfare, animal behaviour, dog training, or captive animal management, our courses are in-depth and always relevant. 

Conservation and Biodiversity Management 

Conservation and Biodiversity Management students will explore how ecosystems work and find out how to implement strategies to support biological diversity and address biosecurity. One of our biggest strengths is plant identification, a skill highly sought after by the conservation industry. Students will develop knowledge and skills related to plant identification, and they’ll find out how social, cultural and policy decisions impact our natural environment and the ways biodiversity managers can respond to this. 

Veterinary Nursing

Veterinary Nursing students have two ways in which to pathway through our exciting vet nursing programmes; you can start with our Certificate, then move into our Diploma where you are eligible for registration as a vet nurse, then move into the third year of our Bachelor programme. Alternatively, you can go straight into the first year of the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing. 

Explore your options

Our Facilities

The Herbarium

 With a collection of 11,500 scientifically preserved plants, fungi, lichens, and seaweeds, the Herbarium is where you'll learn about plant specimen collection and preparation techniques.Lots of substantial research work happens in the Herbarium, including investigations into invasive and native plants and fungi, as well as the studies of an active lichen research group.There’s also the opportunity to volunteer to assist with accessioning and curation.

 

The GIS Laboratory 

Where science meets tech, the GIS Laboratory has 40 workstations with industry-standard ArcGIS and associated software.Running on high-performance Graphics Processing Units on Virtual Device Interfaces with large 24-inch monitors, these computers can run realistic 3D modeling, spatial analysis, image rendering, and other computing-intensive tasks.

 

Applied Molecular Solutions Laboratory 

If you’re interested in the genetics of animals, plants, and fungi, this lab is fully equipped for DNA extraction and analysis.Second-year Bachelor of Applied Science students gain first-hand experience in the lab. In their third year, this lab will become their second home if they take on a research project that utilizes molecular techniques.Some cool research projects currently on the go include DNA barcoding of possible biological control agents, bioremediation of contaminated soils, and molecular analysis of seabird diets.

Programmes and study path

Start with a programme that suits your qualifications and/or experience, then progress to a level that achieves your goals.
PROGRAMME LEVEL DURATION CAREER OPTIONS
New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care - Companion Animals 3 Full-time for 19 weeks. Part-time over 1 year. Animal minder in a range of animal facilities, Boarding kennel or cattery attendant, Pet shop assistant, Wildlife rehabilitation aide, Facility assistant for SPCA, Pet supply sales representative, Entry into further study at certificate or diploma level.
New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management - Canine Behaviour and Training 4 Full time for one year with blended learning (includes online and block courses) Dog support services, Kennels/dog daycare, Animal welfare organisations (canine), Pet Dog Trainer
New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management - Zookeeping 4 Full time for one year with blended learning (includes work experience and block courses) Animal carer in a wildlife park or animal sanctuary, Zookeeper
New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Veterinary Nursing Assistant) 5 Full-time for one year or distance learning options available. Veterinary nurse assistant (NZ or overseas veterinary clinics), Animal shelter/rescue centre employee, Kennel/cattery employee, Pet product industry representative, Laboratory animal assistant, Own business options such as pet minding, product retail, etc
New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing 6 Full-time for one year, part-time for two years or distance learning options available Qualified veterinary nurse (with opportunities to advance to senior levels), Veterinary clinic practice manager, Pet food company representative, Veterinary supply company representative, Pharmaceutical company representative, Laboratory animal manager, Laboratory animal technician, Breeding centre manager
Bachelor of Applied Science (Animal Management and Welfare, and Biodiversity Management) 7 Full-time for three years or part-time options available Ecologist, Animal welfare scientific officer, Conservation Manager for DoC or Iwi, Animal behaviour and/or welfare consultant, Biodiversity analyst or advisor, Biosecurity analyst or advisor, Geographic information systems (GIS) analyst, Animal handler, Park ranger (Council or DoC), Animal facility manager
Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science (Biodiversity Management) 8 Full-time for 6 months or part-time for 1–2 years Environmental advisor for business, Environmental or biosecurity consultant, Research, laboratory or field technician, Programme or project manager
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science (Biodiversity Management) 8 Full-time for 1 year or part-time for 2–3 years Environmental or biosecurity consultant, Environmental advisor for business, Biodiversity or biosecurity policy analyst, Ecologist, Geospatial and land-use specialist, Research, laboratory or field technician, Programme or project manager
Master of Applied Science (Biodiversity Management) 9 Full-time for 18 months. Part-time options available. Environmental or biosecurity consultant, Environmental advisor for business, Biodiversity or biosecurity policy analyst, Biodiversity or conservation advisor, Ecologist, Geospatial and land-use specialist, Taxonomist, Research, laboratory or field technician, Programme or project manager, Project coordinator

Staff