Our Subjects
Study Science and Engineering at Waikato and you will be learning from lecturers whose expertise and knowledge in their subjects is respected both locally and internationally. Our progressive and innovative subject range allows our graduates to meet the needs of regional industries and to contribute to the development of the national and international knowledge economy.
Animal Behaviour:
Animal Behaviour is the study of behaviour patterns in animals (including humans), and of how the behaviour of individuals helps to determine the density and distribution of populations.
Biochemistry:
Biochemistry is the explanation of life in chemical terms. It involves the study of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids, which are the fundamental molecules of life. Biochemists try to understand how these molecules interact in living organisms, in health and disease.
Biological Sciences:
Biological Sciences is for those who love life. Whether you want to stand in a metre of mud, on top of a tree, perhaps under the sea or on a kilometre of Antarctic ice, biology is for you.
Biotechnology:
Biotechnology is the application of science and engineering to develop useful products from biological materials. Biotechnology is a very broad discipline, ranging from cloning to cheese making, and products from antibiotics to beer.
Chemical & Biological Engineering:
Chemical & Biological Engineering is concerned with producing and processing biochemicals and related materials, including the design and operation of bioreactors and bioseparation processes.
Chemistry:
Chemistry is the science of substances – their structures, their properties and reactions that change them into other substances.
Earth Sciences:
An understanding of earth and ocean sciences is vital if we are to sustainably manage Earth’s energy, water, mineral, soil and coastal resources. The earth sciences are also the key to predicting and managing natural hazards such as floods, earthquakes, tsunami, landslides and volcanic eruptions.
Electronic Engineering:
Electronic engineering is concerned with the design, development, manufacture and application of electronic devices, circuits and systems.
Electronics:
Electronics is the science and technology concerned with the controlled flow of electrons and other carriers of electric charge.
Engineering:
New Zealand needs more engineers. Currently, only 800 engineers graduate each year; similar countries to New Zealand graduate double this number. Increasing the number of engineers trained is seen as essential for our country’s growth in technology-related enterprises.
Environmental Planning:
Environmental Planning is an interdisciplinary subject that provides the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable mangement of the environment.
Environmental Sciences:
If we are to achieve environmental sustainability, we need to understand how the environment works and ensure we leave the world in a healthy functioning state for future generations.
Materials and Processing:
Materials & Processing is concerned with all the processes and activities of converting raw materials and commodity materials into valuable products required by manufacturers or the end-consumer.
Materials and Process Engineering:
This discipline combines chemical, mechanical and materials engineering to produce professional engineers with a wide range of skills for the processing and manufacturing industries.
Mechanical Engineering:
Mechanical Engineering is an exciting and rapidly growing field at the University of Waikato. This programme is internationally recognized giving graduates access to a wide range of job opportunities overseas and in New Zealand.
Physics:
Physics aims to understand the entire physical world, from the sub-atomic to the cosmological.
Psychology:
Psychology is about understanding the behaviour and cognitive processes of people and animals in their physical, social and organisational environment.
Software Engineering:
Software Engineers design the software that we increasingly rely on. Industrial robots, mobile phones, washing machines, energy networks - all of these are driven by software.
Science and Technology Education:
Research in science, technology and environmental education is multi-disciplinary in nature. Academic programmes are offered at Graduate level only through the Centre for Science & Technology Education Research (CSTER).
