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.

Mathematics

Mathematics is a subject of vital importance that underpins many activities of our modern world. Employers recognise University of Waikato Mathematics graduates for their analytical and problem solving skills as well as their high level of numeracy, which are critical skills for a broad range of jobs.

If you are a graduate with a Mathematics degree, or even with a strong Mathematical component to your degree, you will be a valuable person in today's workforce, with a qualification that appeals to a wide range of employers including banks, insurance companies, schools and government departments.

There is strong employer demand for Mathematicians, due to a shortage of Mathematics graduates and in particular a critical shortage of Mathematics teachers.

Studying Mathematics in combination with another subject means you can work in a number of different fields, such as Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Earth Sciences, Economics, Finance, Engineering (Chemical and Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Materials and Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering), Physics, Electronics, Banking and Meteorology.

Capable students should consider the flexible double major options in Mathematics and Computer Science, or Mathematics and Data Analytics.

Career opportunities

• Data Analyst
• Financial Analyst
• IT or Computing Analyst
• Mathematical Modeller
• Meteorologist
• Research Scientist
• Secondary School Teacher

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.