Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Science in Biological Science

The Bachelor of Science in Biological Science is a comprehensive program designed to provide students with a holistic education in biology. This major is ideal for students who are interested in understanding the science of life, how everyday existence can be explained, and how human activities can shape Earth's future.

Program Structure

The Bachelor of Science in Biological Science is a three-year program that consists of a combination of core courses, biological science courses, and elective courses. Students are required to complete a total of 360 points, including:

• Core courses that help develop transferable skills and support work in all other courses in the degree
• Biological science courses that specialize in the main subject area of biology
• Elective courses that allow students to tailor their degree with a second major, minor, or electives of their choice

Core Courses

All Bachelor of Science students need to complete core courses that help develop transferable skills and support work in all other courses in the degree. These courses include:

• DIGD507 Mahitahi | Collaborative Practices
• SCIE504 Science and Society
• A natural sciences course, such as:
  • ASTR500 Introductory Astronomy
  • BIOL500 Foundations of Life
  • BMED500 Introduction to Biomedical Science
  • CHEM500 Chemistry in Our World
  • CHEM501 Principles of Chemistry
  • CHEM502 Biological and Solution Chemistry
  • CONS500 Biodiversity
  • EASC500 Our Dynamic Earth
  • ENVS502 Environmental Science Skills
  • ENVS503 Our Total Environment
  • FOOD502 Food Science
  • FOOD503 Food Technology
  • GESC500 Mapping Our Environment
  • HEAL512 Te Tiriti Ora
  • HEAL514 Understanding Human Body Systems
  • MAOH501 Hauora Mori and Environment
  • MASC500 Introduction to Marine Science
  • MASC501 Marine Science Techniques
  • MELS501 Histology and Cytology
  • MICR501 Microbial Life
  • PHYS501 Physics for Scientists and Engineers
  • SOSC585 Climate Action
• A mathematical and computer sciences course, such as:
  • COMP500 Programming Concepts and Techniques
  • COMP503 Object Oriented Programming
  • MATH502 Algebra and Discrete Mathematics
  • MATH504 Introductory Mathematics for Science
  • MATH505 Algebra and Calculus I
  • STAT500 Applied Statistics
  • STAT502 Introductory Probability and Statistics

Biological Science Courses

The biological science courses are the main subject area of the program and consist of eight biology-related courses studied throughout the degree. These courses include:

• CONS500 Biodiversity
• MICR501 Microbial Life
• CONS600 Ecology and Evolution
• GENE603 Cells, Genes and Molecules
• MICR601 Environmental Microbiology
• CONS701 Conservation Biology
• GENE700 Gene Technology
• MICR700 Decoding Life

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Biological Science can pursue a wide range of career opportunities, including:

• Microbiologist
• Scientific laboratory technician
• Research scientist
• Agricultural researcher
• Biosecurity officer
• Environmental microbiologist
• Conservation officer
• Forensic technician
• Geneticist
• Science teacher

Key Features

The program has several key features, including:

• A holistic education in biology
• Diverse career opportunities in environmental health, human health, and biotechnology
• A focus on relevant issues and biological phenomena in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific
• Flexibility to tailor the degree with a second major, minor, or electives of choice
• Completion of an industry-related project in the final year

Skills Developed

The program helps students develop a range of skills, including:

• Analytical, accurate, careful, and patient
• Ability to communicate complex ideas simply
• Interest in biology
• Persistent, enquiring, and innovative

Related Programs

Related programs include:

• Bachelor of Science (Honours)
• Environmental Science Major - Bachelor of Science
• Analytics Major - Bachelor of Science
• Postgraduate study options, such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Science, Postgraduate Diploma in Science, Master of Science, and Master of Science (Research)