Course details

Summary

With so many options to choose from, the Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) is your opportunity to create a good foundation for your study in the Earth, Chemical, Computational, Human, Life, Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

Programme overview

If you have a mind for science and you’re keen to keep your options open, then the BSc is the degree for you. With many undergraduate majors in a wide range of subject areas, the BSc will allow you to incorporate different areas of interest and expertise. As well as strongly emphasizing transferable skills to improve your employment opportunities, this programme will expose you to cutting-edge technologies and provide a gateway to independent research. Throughout your undergraduate degree you’ll be taught by knowledgeable scientists, many of whom are major contributors in their field.

Biological Sciences Major

Biology is a science which is concerned with the study of life. Its scope is extensive, covering the structure and function of all living organisms, their relationships and evolutionary origins, and their interactions with each other and with the physical and chemical worlds about them.

The School of Biological Sciences teaches a wide range of courses in ecology, plant sciences, and marine, freshwater and animal biology, biotechnology, molecular biology, genetics and biomedicine. Each of these areas is supported by active research groups. The Tāmaki Innovation Campus specializes in teaching and research in biosecurity, biodiversity and conservation. The school is fully equipped with the facilities necessary for modern biological and biomedical research.

There is a wealth of subjects on offer within the Bachelor of Science (BSc). The main areas include biological sciences, human sciences, earth sciences, computational sciences, physical sciences and health-orientated sciences. As well as skills that are part of your academic learning in your chosen major, you’ll have exposure to new technologies. This is the degree for you if you’re science-minded and want to keep your options open.

Career opportunities

Trained biologists might find employment locally and internationally working for industry, government departments, Crown Research Institutes; and the private sector, in such areas as the biotechnology, food, brewing, dairy and pharmaceutical industries, conservation, plant protection and quarantine, biomedicine, biomedical research, marine biology and ecology, aquaculture and fisheries, parks, zoo and nursery management, education, and environmental resource management and planning.

Further study options

• Bachelor of Science (Honours)
• Graduate Diploma in Science (GradDipSci)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
• Master of Science (MSc)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Structure

Single or first major must include:

15 points: BIOSCI 101

At least 45 points from BIOSCI 100, 102–107

At least 30 points including at least 15 points from each of two of the following groups: BIOSCI 201–203; BIOSCI 204, 205, 208; BIOSCI 206, 207, 210

At least 60 points from BIOINF 301, BIOSCI 320–396

Second major must include:

15 points: BIOSCI 101

At least 45 points from BIOSCI 100, 102–107

At least 30 points including courses from each of two of the following groups: BIOSCI 201–203; 204, 205, 208, 206, 207, 210

At least 45 points from BIOINF 301, BIOSCI 320–396

Entry criteria

Secondary school qualifications

You need to have one of the following: International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum total score of 24. General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level. You must have completed a minimum of three A-Level subjects with at least a 'C' grade or higher. General Studies or similar general papers cannot be included.

GCE ‘A’ Level requirements apply to ‘A’ Level qualifications examined by bodies such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, CCEA, Pearson Education Limited and CIE taken outside of New Zealand.

English language requirements:

IELTS 6.0; TOEFL (iBT) 80; TOEFL (paper-based) 550; CAE or CPE 169; PTE 50; MELAB 80.