BSc - Biological Sciences as a major
Please note
From 2018 Biological Sciences will be replaced by Ecology & Biodiversity and Molecular & Cellular Biology at the Hamilton campus. It will still be available as a major for the BSc in Tauranga by first enrolling with Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology.
If you're intrigued by the natural world around you, or enjoy understanding how things work, Waikato's Bachelor of Science (BSc) is what you're looking for. Putting into practice what you learn in your lectures is a major part of this degree. You will gain hands-on experience with some of the most up-to-date and high-tech computing facilities and laboratory equipment.
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.
Apply to enrol
Key information
| Years: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Points: | 360 |
| BSc Study Locations: |
Hamilton; Tauranga
Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info. |
| Start Dates: | Semester A (February) and Semester B (July) |
| Fees (Domestic): |
$6,922 per year See if you're eligible for fees-free study in your first year |
| Fees (International): | $28,290 per year |
| Entry Requirements: | Undergraduate International |
| Faculty: | |
| *Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. | |
Career opportunities
- Agricultural Researcher
- Biosecurity Officer
- Environmental Microbiologist
- Conservation Officer
- Fisheries Scientist
- Forensic Technician
- Geneticist
- Marine Biologist
- Medical Sciences Technician
- Plant Physiologist
Degree planner — BSc in Biological Sciences (Tauranga campus)
If no point value is listed, papers are worth 15 points. This structure applies to study in Tauranga only, starting in 2019.
Year 1
Year 1 credit from
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Year 2
Year 2 credit from
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
- Major
- Compulsory
For Waikato graduate Dylan Harrison, a career in science has always been on the cards.
Read stories from other students
Papers
Papers available within Biological Sciences
Biological Sciences incorporates the major traditional biological disciplines of Botany, Microbiology and Zoology with the interdisciplinary subjects of Biochemistry, Physiology, Genetics, Ecology and Behaviour.
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| BIOEB203 | Animal Structure and Function | 19A (Hamilton) & 19A (Tauranga) |
| This paper is an integrated theoretical and experimental study of the principles of animal structure and function. Comparative aspects will be emphasised in how animals adapt to their environment. Topics covered include homeostasis, the function of major organ systems, ecophysiology, musculoskeletal design and locomotion. An introd... | ||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| BIOEB301 | Advanced Animal Behaviour | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper examines the development, causation, function and evolutionary history of vertebrate and invertebrate behaviour. It applies behavioural information to conservation biology and animal welfare. | ||
| BIOEB302 | Advanced Zoology | 19B (Hamilton) |
| An examination of the evolutionary biology of animals, including structure, function and evolutionary adaptation of selected invertebrates and vertebrates. | ||
| BIOEB303 | Terrestrial Ecology | 19A (Hamilton) & 19A (Tauranga) |
| A paper that explores ecological principles and the ecosystem dynamics, functioning, restoration and conservation ecology of New Zealand forest ecosystems. | ||
| BIOEB304 | Freshwater Ecology | 19A (Hamilton) & 19A (Tauranga) |
| An introduction to the ecology of lakes and rivers. Topics covered include the structure and function of major freshwater communities, fish and fisheries, human impacts and the management of inland waters. | ||
| BIOEB305 | Marine Ecology | 19B (Hamilton) & 19B (Tauranga) |
| An introduction to the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems. The paper explores the fundamentals of ecology (e.g. disturbance/recovery, recruitment, organism interactions with their environment, nutrient cycles, limits on productivity) in a marine setting. We also cover human impacts on marine environments including fish... | ||
| BIOEB306 | Molecular Ecology and Biodiversity | 19A (Hamilton) |
| An introduction to the field of molecular ecology. Lecture coverage will include the methods for obtaining DNA sequence data as well as applications for these data. Applications will include species identification for biodiversity assessments (DNA barcoding) as well as evolutionary applications such as phylogeny and phylogeography.... | ||
| BIOEB307 | Advanced Plant Biology | 19B (Hamilton) |
| An introduction to the discipline of plant physiological ecology and the interactions between plants and their environment. Includes an emphasis on practical techniques for measuring plant microclimate, photosynthesis and growth. | ||
| BIOEB324 | Aquaculture | 19B (Tauranga) |
| This is an introduction to the reproductive and early life history of target aquaculture species, focusing on New Zealand fish and shellfish species, and comparing this with successful aquaculture species from tropical environments. | ||
| BIOL325 | Plant Function | 19A (Hamilton) |
| An introduction to the discipline of plant physiological ecology and the interactions of plants with their environment. Includes an emphasis on practical techniques for measuring plant microclimate, photosynthesis and water use. | ||
| BIOMO301 | Advanced Biochemistry | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper builds on the principles of biochemistry introduced in BIOMO201 to examine molecular mechanisms underlying cellular communication and trafficking of proteins between organelles, cellular stress responses, cell death, and the degradation of biomolecules. Students will also examine the molecular basis of human diseases suc... | ||
| BIOMO302 | Advanced Genetics | 19A (Hamilton) |
| A study of advanced microbial and eukaryotic genomes, DNA topology, next generation sequencing, the expression of genes, genetic variation, inheritance patterns, human disease, complex traits, bioinformatics, population genetics, and protein evolution. | ||
| BIOMO303 | Advanced Microbiology | 19B (Hamilton) |
| The paper will provide knowledge of microbial functions and the role of the microbiome in human and ecosystem health. | ||
| BIOMO304 | Applied Animal Physiology | 19A (Hamilton) |
| The paper will provide a knowledge of mammalian physiology and its application to research in health, exercise and primary production. | ||
| BIOMO306 | Molecular Biology and Health | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper will provide the application of molecular biology knowledge and skills in the health sciences. This paper is specifically designed to bring together the areas of genetics, biochemistry, microbiology and physiology and look at how they are informing the prevention and treatment of human diseases. Throughout the paper, Uni... | ||
| SCIEN313 | Undergraduate Research Project | 19C (Hamilton) & 19C (Tauranga) |
| Students carry out an independent research project on an approved topic under staff supervision. For a list of available projects, please contact the paper coordinator. | ||
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL503 | Data Analysis and Experimental Design | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper will cover aspects of research design for experiments, and methods for analysis of biological data using univariate and multivariate statistical techniques. | ||
| BIOL560 | Freshwater Ecology | 19A (Hamilton) |
| A critical examination of issues that freshwater ecosystems face (e.g. pollution, management) and methods to mitigate potentially competing interests. | ||
| BIOL562 | Marine and Estuarine Ecology | 19C (Hamilton) |
| This paper focuses on a variety of contemporary issues in marine ecology and biological oceanography, including fisheries biology and management, recruitment, ecology of disturbances, benthic-pelagic coupling, aquaculture and primary production. | ||
| BIOL565 | Molecular Ecology | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper is open to students interested in molecular ecology, systematics, and environmental molecular biology. Topics covered include conservation and evolutionary genetics, molecular ecology, and phylogenetics. | ||
| BIOL571 | Plant Physiology and Ecology | 19B (Hamilton) |
| The paper focuses on contemporary topics in plant environmental physiology, with an emphasis on the functioning of plants at the physiological, whole plant, and ecological level. Topics will include the acquisition of carbon and water by plants and limitations to plant productivity in natural and managed environments. | ||
| BIOL572 | Animal Behaviour | 19B (Hamilton) |
| The purpose of this paper is to provide students with an understanding of contemporary approaches to the study of animal behaviour, exploring literature on the function, evolutionary history, development and mechanisms of behaviour. Special attention will be devoted to developing an appreciation of experimental design and fostering... | ||
| BIOL573 | Conservation and Restoration | 19B (Hamilton) |
| The purpose of this paper is to explore the general principles of conservation biology and restoration ecology, with special reference to threatened species management and approaches to restoring ecosystems impacted by human activities. | ||
| BIOL576 | Animal Ecophysiology | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides an introduction to specified topics in animal environmental physiology. Critical evaluation of selected readings from the scientific literature will provide a theoretical framework for the specified topics and an introduction to recent research in those fields. Students will develop an understanding of how anima... | ||
| BIOL591 | Dissertation | 19C (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | ||
| BIOL592 | Dissertation | 19C (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | ||
| BIOL593 | Biological Sciences Thesis | 19C (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | ||
| BIOL594 | Biological Sciences Thesis | 19C (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | ||
| BIOL595 | Biological Sciences Thesis | 19C (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | ||
| BIOMO501 | Biomolecular Structure and Cellular Pathways | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper is an in-depth examination of biomolecular structure, function, and molecular metabolism using selected examples from the biochemistry literature. | ||
| BIOMO502 | Molecular Genetics in Health and Disease | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper explores how modern molecular approaches are contributing to our understanding of molecular genetics and how this information can be exploited to benefit animal and human health. | ||
| BIOMO503 | Microbiomes | 19A (Hamilton) |
| This paper explores microbiomes in the environment and in association with multicellular organisms, including humans, to understand their critical ecological roles in ecosystem and host function and health. | ||
| BIOMO504 | Biomedical Physiology | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper examines select topics in human/animal physiology in the context of functioning of the organism in health and disease. Elements of molecular biology, genetics, animal models of diseases, and pharmacology are used to present students with an integrated approach to physiological research. | ||
| BIOMO511 | Current topics in the biomedical sciences | 19A (Hamilton) |
| There is a significant amount of research addressing global biomedical challenges such as obesity, cancer, neurological diseases, cardiovascular disease and microbial infections. This paper will introduce students to the issues faced by researchers in the biomedical space and the current approaches being used to come up with soluti... | ||
| BIOMO512 | Molecular Techniques for Environmental Science | 19B (Hamilton) |
| This paper will introduce students of diverse scientific backgrounds to current and emerging molecular analytic and diagnostic techniques used across biological and environmental sciences. | ||
| SCIEN511 | Scientific Supercomputing | 19C (Hamilton) |
| A practical introduction to undertaking scientific research on a supercomputer. The paper assumes no prior knowledge. | ||
| SCIEN589 | Directed Study | 19A (Hamilton), 19A (Tauranga), 19B (Hamilton) & 19B (Tauranga) |
| No description available. | ||
800 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL800 | Biological Sciences MPhil Thesis | 19C (Hamilton) & 19C (Tauranga) |
| No description available. | ||
900 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL900 | Biological Sciences PhD Thesis | 19C (Hamilton) & 19C (Tauranga) |
| No description available. | ||
Scholarships and prizes
Selected scholarships for Biological Sciences students.
New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.
Anne Shannon Scholarship Closed
For students who are studying towards a degree with a major in Biological Sciences or are enrolled in a specified programme including a major in Biological Sciences at the University of Waikato. The scholarship will have a value of $2,500 per year for two years.
Brian Perry Charitable Trust Undergraduate Scholarship in Science & Engineering Closed
For students who are enrolled in the second year of full-time study towards an undergraduate degree, in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Waikato. The scholarship will have a value of up to $5,000.
Hamilton Zoo - University of Waikato Science & Engineering Scholarship Closed
For students who are enrolled full-time and have completed the second year of the Bachelor of Science (Technology) degree. The scholarship will have a value of $14,000 and a one year placement with the Hamilton Zoo.
The Hicks Scholarship Closed
For students who are enrolled or intend to enrol at any New Zealand University to undertake the research portion of their Masters degree in agriculture, horticulture, arborculture, viticulture or animal husbandry. The Scholarship will have a value of up to $15,000.
Looking for more scholarships?
Subject links
Contacts
Faculty of Science & Engineering
Phone: +64 7 838 4625 / 0800 438 254
Email: science@waikato.ac.nz
Website: sci.waikato.ac.nz
Facebook: facebook.com/WaikatoScienceEngineering