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.
Career Opportunities
- Biochemical Technician
- Biosecurity Officer
- Conservation Officer
- Ecologist
- Geneticist
- Medical Research Assistant
- Ranger
- Zoo Curator
Potential Employers
- Agricultural and Fisheries Sectors
- Biotechnology Industry
- Conservation Sector
- Crown Research Industries
- Local Bodies and Regional Councils
- Medical and Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratories
Biological Sciences incorporates the major traditional biological disciplines of botany, microbiology and zoology with the interdisciplinary subjects of biochemistry, physiology, genetics, ecology and behaviour. In Biological Sciences you have many opportunities: you can be an ecologist with interests in ecosystems, a physiologist aiming to understand how organisms function, or a geneticist using DNA as the key to identifying diseases or organisms.
Students may choose a specialisation in:
There are also a number of general programmes (such as botany, ecology and genetics) to assist you to focus your studies in a particular area of biological sciences.
RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND
School subjects required
As well as biology, you will find chemistry and mathematics useful. If you have no credits in NCEA Level 3 Biology you are advised to discuss your options with the first-year student mentor.
PLANNING YOUR DEGREE
To complete a major in Biological Sciences, students must complete 120 points above 100 Level, including 60 points at 300 Level from Biological Sciences papers, as set out below.
The other papers needed to complete the degree requirements of the BSc and BSc(Tech) may come from further optional papers in Biological Sciences, other science subjects, or may even include a few papers from other faculties/schools of study.
Postgraduate Studies
In the first instance, students are advised to refer to the latest Graduate Handbook for information on pursuing further study and research at graduate and postgraduate levels.
Our Qualifications
Find out more about the available Science & Engineering qualifications
