Postgraduate Diploma in Environment and Society

at The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus New Zealand

Te reo Maori is an official language of Aotearoa/New Zealand. The study of te reo will enhance your identity as an individual and will help you establish a framework for other worldviews, international links and connections.

The ability to be fluent in both Maori and English has become increasingly important within a number of professional areas including education, medicine, research, media, government and tourism.

You'll learn in a supportive environment incorporating new and exciting ways to deliver the language and with practitioners who are committed to the ongoing survival, retention and maintenance of te reo Maori.

The Electrical and Electronic Engineering subject at Waikato is a uniquely future-focused integration of computer science involving software programming, data management, artificial intelligence and cyber-security with core electrical and electronic principles in modern power systems, electronic design, embedded systems and communication.

As a graduate specialising in Electrical and Electronic Engineering you will be ready to contribute to the electricity industry evolution from legacy generation and distribution models into an immediate future of distributed generation and storage, smart grids and new generation paradigms around renewable resources. These trends impact not just the traditional electricity industry itself, but also generate new opportunities and requirements within agriculture, manufacturing, construction, transport electrification and automation and smart building management.

Work placements completed as part of this program provides opportunity for practical experience and robust engineering and design skill development in relevant industries.

The study of Design combines an understanding of human needs and desires, forming creative solutions, prototyping and developing artefacts and evaluating their impact and effectiveness in society. It comprises a well-balanced combination of analytical, technological and creative abilities.

Industrial designers shape the world we live in by designing the products we use every day, from items as simple as a toothbrush, through to those as intricate as an aeroplane. The role of the industrial designer is in the designing of products that are durable, effective in purpose, and beautiful in appearance.

The demand for experts in Earth Sciences continues to grow as we look to better manage our soil, water, minerals, energy and coastal and marine resources, as well as understand natural hazards  such as floods, earthquakes, tsunami, landslides and volcanic eruptions.

The Earth Sciences major at Waikato consists of four main sub-disciplines: geology, soil science, hydrology and coastal processes. The first two years concentrate on fundamental knowledge and skills across all subdisciplines. In your final year, you’ll have the option to specialise in a specific area.

Build a successful career

As a graduate you will gain the knowledge and skills to pursue a wide range of careers. Earth Sciences graduates are spread across New Zealand and around the world, working in careers ranging from Earth resources' exploration to environmental management and planning, and from scientific research to teaching.

You'll explore connections to previous generations, how they influence today, and if they were really all that different. History isn't just what happened before, but is also an investigation into, and use of, reliable research methods. We'll challenge you to ask questions, use critical enquiry into historical evidence and consider new ways of looking at the past in light of that new evidence.

When you study History, it isn't just for the classroom either. New Zealanders are keen to gain new perspectives on the "hidden history" of the pre-Waitangi Tribunal. People are also fascinated to learn their family's story and the circumstances that surround their ancestor's immigration to New Zealand.

Computer Science is rapidly changing the world we live in. Studying Computer Science at the University of Waikato, you'll learn about software systems and how people and computers interact. You’ll also learn how to create new software, and ensure it's easy for people to use.

A major in Computer Science is flexible, allowing you to focus on a particular area, or to complete a more generalist major. The papers available are carefully designed to ensure you have a good mastery of a particular area of Computer Science and will equip you with the skills you need to succeed in your chosen career.

Waikato is well-recognised internationally for our computer science research, and have especially enjoyed success with open source software development.

Students have the opportunity to work alongside internationally-respected academics on a wide range of exciting and innovative research projects in areas such as:

• Broadband communication
• Data compression
• Digital libraries
• Formal methods
• Human-computer interaction
• Machine learning
• Software engineering
• Cyber security.

The Science, Technology and Environmental Education program is for educators interested in curriculum development, learning and teaching in science, technology and environmental education.

The Program is part of the Technology, Environmental, Mathematics and Science (TEMS) Education Centre, which offers professional development for graduates in technology, environmental, mathematics, science and education, who are interested in pursuing postgraduate study in the TEMS group of subjects. Intending students should discuss their program of study with the Director of the Centre.

This program is for educational practitioners who are graduates and want to improve their skills, knowledge and career prospects in Education. Developing skills in curriculum, pedagogy or policy development, the benefits include career advancement and the development of expertise in a specific area of educational practice.

New technologies are revolutionising every aspect of business - from banking and finance to agriculture and healthcare, no industry has been left untouched. Successful businesses of the future will be digitally advanced businesses.

This subject prepares future managers for a fast-evolving world where 'disruptive' digital technologies – such as big data, mobile and gamification – have changed the rules of the game when it comes to business operations, marketing and customer service.

By studying Digital Business at Waikato, you'll be introduced to a wide range of e-business technologies that today's managers need to understand. And you'll develop the ideal blend of managerial, business and IT skills to pursue a career as a tech-savvy manager.

Once you graduate, you'll be in hot demand among companies looking to secure a competitive advantage.

In such roles, you're likely to be working on digital transformation projects with web developers, UX designers and analysts to introduce new technologies that offer superior business performance.

Studying Ethics will give you the tools and capabilities you need to become an inspirational leader in the community and in your working life, and will enable you to feel confident in your capability to reflect on doing “the right thing” and following through on that reflection.

Ethics at Waikato is an interdisciplinary program with a philosophical core. It includes the study of fundamental moral concepts and the nature of morality as well as applications of evaluative thinking to diverse subject areas such as politics, law, management, Maori and Pacific Studies, religion, art, the media, and the environment. With a theoretical core but an applied emphasis it provides a pathway into any government and private sector employment where sensitivity to ethical issues is a significant requirement.

A great strength of the Ethics program is that it offers an edge in employability when combined with other professional degrees. Examples include law, counselling, management, teaching, accountancy and computer science.

Media Design combines elements of design, screen and media studies within a single major.  Use your design skills to create content for multi-media platforms such as 2D and 3D animation, film and video production, and motion graphics.

Studying Media Design will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the theory, research and design of multi-modal media content for screen and multi-media platforms.  You will learn about different tools and techniques such as 2D and 3D animation, film and video production, and motion graphics.

As a media designer, you will focus on key design principles associated with the creation, construction and production of audio-visual media content for effective communication.