Career opportunities
The career opportunities available to Ecology graduates reflect the breadth of training offered. Our graduates are spread far and wide in jobs as diverse as nature guides, resource management consultants, and information technologists.
The Department of Conservation, Crown Research Institutes, local and and regional councils, tourism operations, secondary and tertiary teaching institutions and a range of environmental non-governmental organisations all employ graduates – here in New Zealand and around the world.
Your background
You'll be enthusiastic, with a real interest in the world around you and have a willingness to learn as well as to find out. A broad background in science is advantageous but we may accept students without these subjects to our 100-level programme.
What will I learn?
A degree in ecology from Otago will give you a broad skill base from which to step into your chosen career.
As well as learning about ecology, we'll help you develop your time management, statistical, and communication skills, and you'll meet a wide range of people with varying interests, ideas, and perspectives in the course of your study.
How will I study?
The study of ecology is approached from all angles – through lectures, tutorials, field trips, indoor activities, and outdoor laboratories. The proximity of the campus to such a diversity of environments means students are uniquely placed to explore a wide range of ecosystems.
Further study
With a Bachelor of Science majoring in Ecology, the world is your oyster. Postgraduate programmes in ecology and related subjects open up to you, whether it's a Diploma, Honours degree, Masters degree, or a PhD that you wish to pursue.
Some students change tack at postgraduate level and opt for Environmental Science, Law, Planning, or one of the specialist postgraduate programmes offered at Otago such as the Diploma of Wildlife Management or Natural History Filmmaking and Communication.
Can I combine my Ecology degree with other subjects?
A double major combining ecology with Zoology or Botany are the most common, but Geography, Geology, and Physics and Philosophy are also popular combinations.
If you're interested in environmental law, then a double degree combining Ecology and Law is the way to go – something more and more students are opting to do.
You might choose to spend one or two semesters on exchange at an overseas university, where, through various teaching agreements, you can take approved papers which are cross-credited to your BSc Ecology at Otago.
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
A three-year degree offering flexibility to explore a major in Science along with other subjects
Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Commerce, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
Ready to apply?
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
The Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), requiring study of at least seven papers (at least four of which are at 300-level o...
Postgraduate Study in Ecology
Explore postgraduate study in Ecology at Otago. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and research opportunities in a support...
Related subject areas
Explore all subject areasProgramme details
Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | BIOL 112 Animal Biology | 18 |
| BIOL 123 Plants: How They Shape the World, or PTWY 132 Introduction to Plant Life | 18 | |
| ECOL 111 Ecology and Conservation of Diversity | 18 | |
| STAT 110 Statistical Methods, or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics | 18 | |
|
At least one of: EAOS 111 Earth and Ocean Science GEOG 101 Physical Geography MARI 112 Global Marine Systems Note: PTWY 132 is only available to students enrolled in the Diploma in Science. | 18 | |
| 200-level | ECOL 211 Ecology of Communities and Ecosystems | 18 |
| ECOL 212 Ecological Applications | 18 | |
| STAT 210 Statistical Methods 2 | 18 | |
| One of BTNY 201, BTNY 202, BTNY 203, CHEM 201, CHEM 205, CHEM 206, GENE 222 , GEOG 282, GEOG 284, GEOG 285, GEOG 286, GEOG 287, GEOG 288, GEOG 289 , GEOG 290, GEOG 298, GEOG 299, GEOL 252, GEOL 263, GEOL 272, MARI 201 , MARI 202, STAT 260, STAT 270,SURV 220, ZOOL 221, ZOOL 222, ZOOL 223 | 18 | |
| 300-level | ECOL 313 Ecology Field Course or ECOL 314 Pacific Field Ecology | 18 |
| ECOL 321 Ecology of Species Introductions and Invasions | 18 | |
| Two of AQFI 352, BTNY 301, BTNY 302, BTNY 303, ECOL 313, ECOL 314, GENE 312 , GEOG 388, GEOG 389, GEOG 390, GEOG 392, GEOG 393, GEOG 394, GEOG 395 , GEOG 397, GEOG 398, GEOG 399, GEOL 372, MARI 301, MARI 302, STAT 311 , SURV 309, ZOOL 313, ZOOL 315, ZOOL 316, ZOOL 318, ZOOL 319 or another suitable 300-level paper approved by the Programme Director. | 36 | |
| Plus |
126 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science Students majoring in Ecology must pass STAT 110 or STAT 115 and STAT 210 before taking ECOL 313 or ECOL 314. | 126 |
| Total | 360 |
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | ECOL 111 Ecology and Conservation of Diversity | 18 |
| 200-level | ECOL 211 Ecology of Communities and Ecosystems ECOL 212 Ecological Applications | 18 18 |
| 300-level | Two of BTNY 301, BTNY 303, ECOL 313, ECOL 314, ECOL 321, GEOG 390, GEOG 397, GEOL 372, MARI 301, MARI 302, ZOOL 315, ZOOL 318, ZOOL 319 | 36 |
| Total | 90 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
ECOL papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECOL111 | 2025 | Ecology and Conservation of Diversity | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECOL211 | 2025 | Ecology of Communities and Ecosystems | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECOL212 | 2025 | Ecological Applications | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECOL313 | 2025 | Ecology Field Course | 18 points | 1st Non standard period (27 January 2025 - 6 June 2025) |
| ECOL314 | 2025 | Pacific Field Ecology | 18 points | 1st Non standard period (20 January 2025 - 30 May 2025) |
| ECOL321 | 2025 | Ecology of Species Introductions and Invasions | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECOL411 | 2025 | Reading Ecology | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| ECOL450 | 2025 | Special Topic | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECOL480 | 2025 | Research Project | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026) |
| ECOL490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026) |
| ECOL495 | 2025 | Master's Thesis Preparation | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026) |
More information
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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