Course details

Summary

Biotechnology is of national and international importance. It considers and develops knowledge about biochemical, molecular, ecological and evolutionary processes. Biotechnology tools are applied in research underpinning biodiversity and biosecurity throughout New Zealand.

Biotechnology research is directed towards developing technology with both economic and environmental outcomes. The OECD have predicted that, by 2030, biotechnology will assume a major role in the global economy with the advances from research in the tertiary sector.

The School of Biological Sciences offers the Bachelor of Science endorsed in Biotechnology to students majoring in Biological Sciences. Students follow one of two pathways:

1. environmental biotechnology or
2. plant biotechnology.

Recommended preparation

Year 13 biology, statistics and chemistry is strongly recommended. However, students who have not completed Year 13 chemistry may find the Headstart summer preparatory course very useful.

For certain disciplines, some knowledge of physics is helpful.

All students should have adequate English skills.

A Bachelor of Science (BSc) will extend your knowledge in multiple interest areas, satisfying many questions you may have about the world and encouraging you to investigate even further.

Qualification structure and duration

The Bachelor of Science requires a minimum total of 360 points:

• a minimum of 255 points of Science courses
• the remaining 105 points can be from either Science courses or courses from other degrees.
• At least 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level.

Career opportunities

As an emerging field with both national and international importance, biotechnology provides many career opportunities in universities, business, government agencies, Crown Research Institutes and in ministries concerned with the environment, agriculture and forestry.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Bachelor's degree. Applicants must have completed New Zealand University Entrance through NCEA; or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or any other equivalent overseas qualification.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.