New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) Environmental Management - SIT2LRN Distance Learning

ENV401 Introduction to Ecology and Conservation (15 credits)

This paper provides students with an introductory understanding of the ecological and biological principles fundamental to environmental management in New Zealand.

On completion of this paper, the student will be able to:

1. Describe and explain the geological and biological origins of New Zealand.
2. Describe principles at work in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems in New Zealand.
3. Discuss the concerns (both for and against) the control of Introduced pests and predators in New Zealand.
4. Identify potential careers with a focus on NZ ecology and/or conservation management the types of qualifications which may lead to these careers.

ENV402 Marine Ecology and Freshwater Ecology (15 credits)

This paper will provide students with a basic knowledge and understanding of marine and freshwater ecology and the ecological factors which characterise marine, fluvial, and lacustrine environments.

On completion of this paper, the student will be able to:

1. Describe factors that have formed of the New Zealand coastline and the role of ocean currents in marine ecosystems.
2. Identify the unique characteristics of fluvial and lacustrine freshwater ecosystems in New Zealand.
3. Describe the concepts of food webs, food chains and adaptive cycles in marine and freshwater ecosystems.

EVN403 Resource Management and Environmental Law (15 credits)

This paper introduces students to the concepts, principles, and applications of environmental law, its historical and current context, the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi on resource management and the legislation that governs environmental management in New Zealand.

On completion of this paper, the student will be able to:

1. Outline the history of resource management and environmental law in New Zealand.
2. Explore and discuss current environmental legislation in New Zealand with particular regard to the Resource Management Act (1991) and amendments.
3. Explain the articles of the Treaty of Waitangi and their implications to resource management at both local and central government levels.
4. Identify potential careers with a focus on resource management and environmental law and map the types of qualifications which may lead to these careers.

ENV404 Conservation Management (15 credits)

This paper introduces students to problems and challenges associated with conservation management in New Zealand.

On completion of this paper, the student will be able to:

1. Define conservation, including conservation history and articulate own philosophy of nature conservation and sustainable development.
2. Explain the role of government organisations, such as the Department of Conservation, and non-government organisations, such as the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, in conservation management in New Zealand.
3. Discuss the role and approaches of Mana Whenua in conservation in New Zealand.
4. Identify potential careers with a focus on conservation management and map the types of qualifications which may lead to these careers.

The Zero Fees Scheme applies to this course, so there are no tuition fees as long as you are a New Zealand citizen, resident/permanent resident (residing in NZ), BUT there is a student direct material cost per credit of study undertaken, plus a non-refundable administration cost of $50 for each application processed, and the required textbook/s listed below. You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain your Zero Fees Scheme entitlement.

Zero Fees Scheme applies to NZ citizens and residents/permanent residents (residing in NZ). Cost (NZ$) $7.50 per credit + admin cost $50 per application (e.g. $750 for 100 credit course) - includes GST

International Students $100 per credit

Payments must be paid by the due date shown on the invoice.

Withdrawals & Transfers

• Early withdrawals within the first week of the intake starting are entitled to a full refund of the Student Direct Material Costs but not the non-refundable administration cost of $50.
• Withdrawals have to be requested within 75% of the intake, withdrawals after the early withdrawal date are not eligible for a refund.
• Transfer requests have to be within the first two weeks of the intake starting and will incur a $50 transfer cost. Transfers can only occur to a subsequence intake within the same calendar year.

All SIT2LRN courses are approved by Studylink. Any queries regarding Studylink allowances, loans, and terms and conditions should be made directly to Studylink on 0800 88 99 00 or www.studylink.govt.nz  

Graduating students may be able to undertake entry level/assistant environmental type positions in the following areas:

• Regional or local authorities
• Environmental monitoring/testing
• Relevant government departments
• Farming industry

Students may also progress to higher level study such as the Bachelor of Environmental Management at SIT.

Applicants should demonstrate a likelihood of success in the programme of study. Likelihood of success may be demonstrated through a variety of means, including: relevant work experience, Curriculum Vitae, letter of intent, achievement of NCEA in environmental management related or science related standards, or an interview.

School Leavers

Applicants should be a minimum of 17 years of age, and have attained NCEA Level 2.

Mature Applicants

 Applicants over the age of 20 years at time of enrolment will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme. Examples of demonstration of ability to succeed are the provision of evidence of successful completion of a programme of study at Level 3 or above in a related discipline and/or employment in the related sector for one or more years. They may be admitted subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the Programme Manager as appropriate. Personal commitment and a belief in one's own ability to succeed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.

English Language Requirements

Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following:

NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or

an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or

Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA), or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL); or

Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in  either New Zealand, Australia­, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of a Bachelor ‘s Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters’ Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be  from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or

Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment

Certificate at Level 4

• IELTS test - General or Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5
• TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 530 (with an essay score of 4.5 TWE)
• TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14)
• Cambridge English Examination –B2 First or B2First for schools with a score of 162.  No less than 154 in each skill.
• OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
• NZCEL - a) Expiring Level   b) Current:
• Level 3 (Academic) b) Level 3 (Applied)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36
• Language Cert - B2 Communicator IESOL (LRWS) with PASS and no less than Pass in each skill
• Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than pass in any band

Suggested Study Path/Combinations

Part time study is recommended for this qualification. The number of credits selected per intake should depend on work, family, and other commitments. Students must complete papers in the order that they are listed on the website. The content of ENV401 deals with the core, fundamental aspects of how New Zealand was formed and acts as a foundation for all other papers.

The following part time study paths are guides only; students may do fewer or more papers, time permitting:

Full time study

Full time study is completing all 60 credits in one intake. However, due to the intensive workload of the programme we do not recommend that students enrol in more than 48 credits per intake. Full time acceptance into the programme is at the Programme Manager's discretion.

Additional information

As a guideline, one credit equates to approximately 10 hours study within an intake period

All papers selected within a particular intake must be completed within that intake unless a transfer is requested (conditions apply; see FAQs).

Online enrolments are on a year by year basis and students are welcome to apply for multiple intakes in one enrolment. Further enrolment is the responsibility of individual students. There is no automatic enrolment rollover.

All SIT2LRN courses require you to have a computer and internet access. Students are required to use their SIT webmail only for all SIT2LRN communications. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system. Once you have been accepted into a programme you will receive an Important Information Booklet that includes information that you can use to familiarise yourself with our online Blackboard learning environment. From the intake start date you will have access to the online course materials to work through.

Facilitator Assistance: During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (week days only). All students are required, within the first two weeks of an intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study. Students who have not emailed their facilitator or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the second week of an intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme. Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fees Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.

Progress reports are sent out 6-8 weeks after the end of each intake.

We recommend students new to SIT2LRN read through the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website for further study and enrolment information.

Please use the following checklist to ensure that all relevant information and documentation has been included. Remember, your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide us with.  Processing of your application will be delayed if we need to come back to you for missing information.

• I have read all sections of the Programme Information on this page
• I have read the SIT2LRN Frequently Asked Questions section
• I have met all admission criteria for the programme (found under Application Criteria)
• I have met all the criteria for individual papers (found under Course Content).
• I have selected the paper(s) I wish to study
• I have selected intake(s) (I have selected alternate intakes rather than overlapping intakes)
• I know my intended payment method
• If my organisation/company is paying for my studies, I have a completed and approved purchase order to attach to my online application.
•  I am aware that should my organisation or company not pay my fees, these will become my responsibility.

New students - I have provided an active NSN in the name I am enrolling in or I have verified ID and will attach it to my online application.

New students - I will attach academic documentation (NZQA record of achievement/academic transcripts/certificates) These do not need to be verified. (If you do not have any academic documentation to support your application, please attach a comprehensive CV outlining your education and work experience).

I have computer access, an Internet connection and access to software to create electronic documents e.g. Microsoft Word or Open Office

What is the Zero Fees Scheme?

• The Zero Fees Scheme means we do not charge tuition fees. However, there is a Student Direct Material Cost that you need to pay and a non-refundable administration fee. The administration fee is for processing your application and the Student Direct Material Cost gives you secure access to Blackboard® our online learning environment and to student support services throughout your study with us.

Who qualifies for the Zero Fees Scheme?

• A New Zealand citizen completing the full qualification or
• An Australian citizen/New Zealand Resident or Permanent Resident who will be residing in New Zealand for the duration of your enrolment.

Instructions to help you with your application:

• Read the Programme Information on this page and the SIT2LRN Frequently Asked Questions and find out if you meet the application criteria for both the programme and the unit/s you wish to study
• Check your eligibility for Zero Fees. If you are not eligible to study under this scheme, please call 0800 748 257 for further options.

Complete your online enrolment checking that:

• If you are a new student ...
• Provide an active NSN number in the name you are enrolling in (contact NZQA on 0800 697 296 to get your NSN number if you do not know it). If you do not have an active NSN, then attach a copy of your verified ID in the name you are enrolling in.
• If you are a Resident or Permanent resident of NZ, please provide a copy of proof of residency;
• Attach all academic documentation to support your application including copies of any certificates of courses you have undertaken / NZQA record of achievement / transcripts / CV
• Attach supporting documents as required and outlined on the previous page.
• Please check that you have included all the required information and supporting documents.
• Your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide.
• Missing information will delay the processing of your application. Please scan and email all additional documentation to sit2lrn@sit.ac.nz.

What happens next?

• You will receive an automatic email confirmation when we receive your online application. Processing may take up to three weeks. However, we will get in touch with you sooner if we require further documentation.
• Once your application has been accepted you will be sent a conditional offer of acceptance with an invoice and instructions on how to make payment.
• Once we have received your payment (or if you have opted to pay by Credit Card, Student Loan or Purchase Order) you will be sent an Enrolment Confirmation Letter and Important Information Booklet. Closer to the start of the intake you will receive a Time To Get Started Letter which will give you all the necessary information, tools and guidance to start your study with us.

To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) Environmental Management, and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:

• A minimum of 60 credits in accordance with the programme schedule for the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) (Environmental Management)
• The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) (Environmental Management) full-time over six months or part-time over two years

Please note: students failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfeit zero fees entitlement.

Successful completion of this programme will enable you to progress to higher levels of tertiary training including the Bachelor of Environmental Management at SIT's Invercargill campus.

Assessments for this programme typically include essays and online tests (essay, short answer and multi-choice questions). There are no external exams for this programme.