Course details

Summary

Pathway to masters

A postgraduate diploma is the stepping stone to a research-based degree such as a master’s.

What is it Like?

Massey University’s Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Biological Sciences) gives you the opportunity to join the pathway to in-depth research at a masters level. The programme consists of 90 credits of taught programmes and 30 credits of research.

The programme gives you the opportunity to show your analytical thinking and high-level research capability. If you complete the programme at a satisfactory level you may be able to proceed to the Masters of Science (Biological Sciences). If so, credits you have gained through this qualification may be credited to the masters programme.

Focus or keep your study broad

If you are interested in subjects like microbiology, genetics and biochemistry, but don’t have all the pre-requisites you need to specialise, or you want to open the door to a broader range of careers, a major in biological sciences gives you a broad-based degree that keeps your options open.

Within the degree you can focus on one particular area of science, or keep your study broad - the choice is yours!

Flexibility and industry links

At Massey you have the flexibility to choose from different locations for your study - either Manawatu or the Auckland campuses - as well as other research institutes such as AgResearch, Scion, and Plant & Food Research. This flexibility provides a great deal of project choice, as well as providing important industry linkages that enhance job prospects.

World-class facilities

Whether you study on the Auckland or Palmerston North campuses, you will have access to world-class facilities. These include the Manawatu Microscopy and Imaging Centre and the Massey Genome Service (part of New Zealand Genomics Limited), our controlled environment plant growth facilities, the unique and extensive university orchards and state-of-the-art plant physiology and biology equipment. We have large animal units and there are extensive Massey farms that operate as commercial beef, dairy and sheep farms.

Massey has a dedicated tissue culture facility, real-time PCR instruments, specialised fluorescence microscopes and plate readers, as well as a microscopy centre, offering confocal, and scanning, transmission and epifluorescence microscopy services.

Careers

Sought after by employers

International trends are for employers to reward postgraduate study well, especially in larger enterprises. The skills you learn are increasingly recognized as setting you apart from other potential employees.

Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology (Biological Sciences) structure

You will follow a flexible course of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 120 credits of courses at 700-level or above from the Schedule and may include attending field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials, and laboratories as required.

Entry criteria

Admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Biological Sciences) requires you to have either

• a bachelor’s degree with a major in Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Ecology, Genetics, Microbiology, Physiological and Molecular Plant Biology, Physiology, Plant Biology or Zoology as prescribed for the BSc, plus a further 15 approved 300-level credits in a second subject in the foregoing list, or
• a bachelor’s degree followed by a Graduate Diploma endorsed in Biological Sciences

English language requirements:

• IELTS score of 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
• TOEFL iBT score of 90 overall (min 20 in Writing)
• PTE Academic score of 58 Overall (min 50 in communicative skills)
• Cambridge English score of 180