Course details

Summary

Putting into practice what you learn in your lectures is a major part of the University of Waikato Bachelor of Science degree. You will gain hands-on experience with some of the most up-to-date and high-tech computing facilities and laboratory equipment available, such as our mass spectrometers for investigating molecular structure.

We also take you right to the source, with field trips that might include an overnight stay to gather geothermal samples or a week-long bush camp to examine a region's flora.

The range of career options available to Bachelor of Science (BSc) graduates isn't surprising when you consider the nature of the degree. It is extremely flexible so you can combine papers to suit your strengths and interests. We keep it general in the first year so that your choice, when you do come to specialise, is an informed one. Transferring from this degree to the BCMS(Hons) is also possible at any stage in your degree.

Materials Science

Explore the world of metals, polymers, ceramics, composites and semiconductors. From levitating trains to electronic paper, there are some exciting developments underway in the world of Materials Science that you could be a part of!

Materials Science focuses on understanding the intrinsic structure of a material and the control of its structure through processing. It studies the relationship of the engineering properties of the three main classes of materials (metals, polymers and ceramics) as well as composites and semiconductors.

Materials Scientists are in high demand internationally - particularly within the thriving polymer/plastics, metals, and ceramics and composites industries. Your detailed understanding of material properties will help you to make important decisions on how to develop new materials and which materials should be used for specific products or applications.

The wider Waikato region contains the highest density of materials-based companies in New Zealand, so as a University of Waikato Materials Science graduate you could also have a number of local employment opportunities available to you. You'll also gain the skills and knowledge to contribute to creating an engineering-based knowledge economy in New Zealand.

As a Materials Science student at the University of Waikato, you will benefit from teaching that is research-led, provided by experts from across the materials spectrum who are internationally renowned for their research in light metals and composites.

Career opportunities

• Materials Scientist
• Materials Consultant
• Materials Selection Consultant
• Materials Production Scientist/Consultant
• Materials Failure Analyst
• Life Cycle Analysis Scientist/Consultant
• Sustainable Development Scientist/Consultant
• Corrosion Consultant
• Failure Analysis Consultant
• Metallurgical Manufacturing Scientist/Consultant
• Ceramic Manufacturing Scientist/Consultant
• Composites Manufacturing Scientist/Consultant
• Wood Manufacturing Scientist/Consultant
• Sustainable Materials Scientist/Consultant
• Research Scientist

Entry criteria

Discretionary Entrance: Applicants will normally be granted Discretionary Entrance if they have gained a total of at least 80 credits in NCEA at Level 2 in four subjects equivalent to the approved subjects for University Entrance in NCEA at Level 3, with a minimum grade of Merit in at least half of the achievement standards for each subject. Applicants must also have satisfied the numeracy and literacy requirements of University Entrance.

Applicants will be considered on a case by case basis. Applicants 20 years old and over by the beginning of their programme of study will be accepted, except those that are clearly insufficiently prepared for academic study.

University Entrance means: From 2015 - (i) NCEA Level 3, (ii) a minimum of 14 credits at Level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, in each of three approved subjects, and (iii) the numeracy requirements of a minimum of 10 credits at Level 1 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, made up of achievement standards and/or unit standards specified by NZQA, and (iv) the literacy requirement of a minimum of 10 credits at Level 2 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, made up of: (a) 5 credits in reading , and (b) 5 credits in writing from a list specified by NZQA.

English language requirements:

IELTS (Academic) - 6.0 overall (no band less than 6.0); iBT (internet based) TOEFL - 79-80 with a score of 20 in writing; Pearson PTE Academic - 57 with no less than 57 for each communicative skill; Waikato Pathways - Successful completion of Level 7 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAAE) program.