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.
Our Facilities
The Herbarium |
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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.
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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
| 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 (Companion Animal) | 6 | Full-time for two year or distance learning options available | Veterinary clinic practice manager, Pet food company representative, Veterinary supply company representative, Pharmaceutical company representative, Laboratory animal technician, Breeding centre manager, Qualified veterinary nurse (with opportunities to advance to senior levels) |
| New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing | 6 | Full-time for one year or part-time for two years | 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, Research technician, Laboratory animal manager, Laboratory animal technician, Breeding centre manager |
| Bachelor of Applied Science (Animal Behaviour 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 |
