Course details

Summary

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded by the University for research carried out under the supervision of at least two staff members. A PhD can also be presented as a PhD with Publication or a PhD with a Creative Practice Component. The research, which must be the candidate's own work, is written up as a thesis, and may include papers published or intended to be published. The thesis is required to present the case for the research, outline the research undertaken and the findings and conclusions of that research. There is no course work for this degree.

As a Biological Sciences student at the University of Waikato you will benefit from our practical and innovative approach to teaching, as well as one-on-one time with world-renowned researchers. Our Biological Sciences programme will provide you with the ultimate learning environment. Biological Sciences incorporates the traditional biological disciplines of botany, microbiology and zoology with the interdisciplinary subjects of biochemistry, physiology, genetics and ecology.

Careers in Biological Sciences come in many shapes and sizes, with many offering opportunities for travel. From managing the Savannah animals at Hamilton Zoo, to working with embryos at a London fertility clinic, our graduates find jobs in exciting and challenging industries in New Zealand and overseas. You could find a career as an ecologist managing the restoration of natural ecosystems, a physiologist aiming to understand how organisms function, or a geneticist using DNA as the key to identifying diseases or organisms.

Career Opportunities

• Agricultural Researcher
• Biosecurity Officer
• Environmental Microbiologist
• Conservation Officer
• Fisheries Scientist
• Forensic Technician
• Geneticist
• Marine Biologist
• Medical Sciences Technician
• Plant Physiologist

Entry criteria

A bachelors with honours or masters degree with a research component of at least 30 points and have achieved at least Second Class Honours (First Division) or Distinction.

English Language Requirements

an IELTS Overall score of at least 6.5 overall (including at least 6.0 or better in the Writing band), or an iBT (Internet Based TOEFL) score of 90 with a Writing score of 22, or a B grade or better at Level 8 in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English, or an overall score of C (with at least a C in the Writing band) in the Foundation Certificate in English for Academic Purposes, or a PTE Academic overall score of 65 with no less than 58 for each communicative skill.