Course details

Summary

The Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) is a one-year programme which builds on an undergraduate science degree. The diploma encompasses both papers and a research topic, and can be taken full-time or part-time. It provides entry to the Master of Science (MSc) degree by thesis only.

In Physiology you study how animals function; how they move, digest, excrete, reproduce, circulate their blood, breathe and survive in different surroundings; and how their nervous systems detect, interpret and learn. At Otago there is particular emphasis on how the human body functions. The study of individual organs, their cells and membranes incorporates the related disciplines of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology.

Medical, dental, veterinary and agricultural sciences depend on a sound background in Physiology, as do the vocational training courses for Medicine, Dentistry, Physical Education, Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Science and Pharmacy.

The present explosion of advances in the health sciences in which Physiology plays a central unifying, integrative role, reflects the increasing excitement in the discovery of unsuspected new ideas and processes.

Papers

PHSL 480 Research Project (40 points) or PHSL 490 Dissertation (60 points), and

PHSL 474 Research Topics (20 points)

and papers from

PHSL 471 Systematic Physiology (20 points)

PHSL 472 Neurophysiology (20 points)

PHSL 473 Cellular Physiology (20 points)

to a total of 120 points.

Entry criteria

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences).

Every applicant shall have fulfilled one of the following conditions: have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Science majoring in the subject or subjects of study proposed; have been admitted with the status of one who is entitled to proceed to the diploma; have a qualification acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and produce evidence satisfactory to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of ability to proceed to the diploma.

English Language Requirements

IELTS - Score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); Internet-based TOEFL Score of 95 with a minimum writing score of 22.; Paper-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 587 (TWE 4.5); Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination - Grade 4 or higher; Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 64 with no communicative skills score below 57; University of Otago Foundation Studies Ltd: Completion of 'English for Postgraduate Academic Purposes' with a grade of C or higher.