BSc - Molecular and Cellular Biology as a major
Major
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.
Molecular and Cellular Biology is an interdisciplinary field combining biochemistry, microbiology, genetics and physiology to study how cells function at the molecular level.
Apply to enrol
Key information
| Years: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Points: | 360 |
| Start Dates: | Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July) |
| Estimated Fees* (Domestic): | $7,821 per year |
| Estimated Fees* (International): | $36,830 - $38,305 per year |
| Entry Requirements: | Undergraduate International |
| Area of Study: | |
| All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). *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
- Plant and Food Researcher
- Biochemist
- Biotechnologist
- Quarantine Officer
- Chemical Analyst
- Laboratory Technician
Degree Planner
Degree planner — BSc in Molecular and Cellular Biology
If no point value is listed, papers are worth 15 points. This structure applies to study starting in 2021.
Year 1
One from List A:
Science Fundamentals
One from List A:
Science Fundamentals
One from List C:
Science Numeracy
Elective
Elective
Year 2
One from List C:
Science Numeracy
Elective
Elective
Elective
Year 3
300 level
BIOMO paper
300 level
BIOMO paper
300 level
BIOMO paper
300 level
Science paper
One from List B:
Work-Integrated Learning
Elective
Elective
Elective
- Major
- Compulsory
- Elective
300 level BIOMO papers
Choose 45 points from the following:
This information is provisional and subject to change.BSc Papers
Lists A, B and C
List A: Science Fundamentals
Choose 45 points from the following:
- APHYS111 Physics in Context
- AQCUL101 Introduction to Aquaculture
- BIOEB101 Concepts of Biology
- BIOEB102 Introduction to Ecology and Biodiversity
- BIOMD101 Introduction to Human Biology
- BIOMO101 Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology
- CHEMY100 Chemistry in Context
- CHEMY101 Structure and Spectroscopy
- CHEMY102 Chemical Reactivity
- CLIMT101 Introduction to Climate Change Science
- EARTH101 Introduction to Earth System Sciences
- EARTH102 Discovering Planet Earth
- ENGEN111 Electricity and Electronics
- ENGEN112 Materials Science and Engineering
- ENGEN180 Foundations of Engineering
- ENVSC101 Environmental Science
- MARIN101 Marine Biodiversity
- PHYSC100 General Physics
List B: Work-Integrated Learning
Choose one from the following:
List C: Science Numeracy
Choose 30 points from the following:
- COMPX101 Introduction to Programming
or COMPX102 Object-Oriented Programming
or ENGEN103 Engineering Computing - MATHS103 Mathematics 1A
or ENGEN101 Engineering Mathematics 1A - MATHS104 Mathematics 1B
or ENGEN102 Engineering Mathematics 1B - MATHS135 Discrete Structures
- MATHS165 General Mathematics
- MATHS168 Preparatory Mathematics
- PHYSC100 General Physics
or PHYSC101 Physics for Engineers and Scientists
or ENGEN110 Engineering Mechanics - DATAX111 Statistics for Science
or DATAX121 Introduction to Statistical Methods - CHEMY202 Physical Chemistry
or CHEMY204 Analytical Chemistry - COMPX201 Data Structures and Algorithms
or COMPX202 Mobile Computing and Software Architecture
or COMPX223 Database Practice and Experience
or COMPX241 Software Engineering Development
or COMPX242 Software Engineering Process
or CSMAX101 The World of Data - ENVPL202 Cartography and Spatial Analysis
- ENGEN201 Engineering Mathematics 2
- HELTH201 Epidemiology and Bio-statistics
- Any 200-level MATHS paper
- Any 200-level DATAX paper
Papers
Papers available within Molecular and Cellular Biology
Molecular and Cellular Biology focuses on the broad subject areas of molecular biology and cellular biology.
Molecular and Cellular Biology is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Bachelor of Science (Technology) (BSc(Tech)). Molecular and Cellular Biology may also be included as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.
To complete Molecular and Cellular Biology as a single major for the BSc and the BSc(Tech), students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Molecular and Cellular Biology, including BIOEB101, BIOMO101, BIOMO201, BIOMO202, BIOMO203, BIOMO204, and at least 45 points from BIOMO301, BIOMO302, BIOMO303, BIOMO304, BIOMO305 or BIOMD306.
To complete Molecular and Cellular Biology as part of a double major for the BSc and the BSc(Tech) or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from the papers listed for Molecular and Cellular Biology including BIOEB101, BIOMO101, BIOMO201, BIOMO202, BIOMO203, BIOMO204, and at least 30 points from BIOMO301, BIOMO302, BIOMO303, BIOMO304, BIOMO305 or BIOMD306.
To complete a minor in Molecular and Cellular Biology, students must complete BIOMO101 and 45 points above 100 level from BIOMO202, BIOMO203, BIOMO204, BIOMO302, BIOMO303, BIOMO304, BIOMO304, BIOMO305 or BIOMD306, including at least 15 points at 200 level and 15 points at 300 level.
Prospective MSc candidates should discuss their 300 level papers with the Postgraduate Convenor in order to ensure that a suitable number and combination of papers are taken.
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOEB101 | Concepts of Biology - Ngā Huatau o te Koiora | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| An introduction to the foundations of biology, including the structure and functioning of cells, evolution, the origins and diversity of life, and a tour of the major forms of life and their defining characteristics. He whakataki tenei pepa i nga matapono o te koiora taea noatia te hanganga me nga whainga o te putau, o te kuneroa... | |||
| BIOMO101 | Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology - Mātai Pūtau a Mātai Rāpoi Ngota Koiora | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| An introduction to the central concepts of Molecular and Cellular Biology, including the ultrastructure and function of cells, the biochemical processes involved, and the role of DNA in cellular function, inheritance and evolution. He whakataki tenei pepa i nga aria pokapu o te Matai Putau, Matai Rapoi hoki, tae atu ana ki te ngota... | |||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOMO201 | Biochemistry | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| The aim of this paper is to familiarize students with the structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates (as fundamental molecules of life). Students will be introduced to molecular techniques used to study these molecules and gain an appreciation of how they interact in living organisms in health and d... | |||
| BIOMO202 | Genetics | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper deals with genetics in the widest sense from the molecular and cellular to the applied and evolutionary. Both prokaryote and eukaryote genetics are discussed with respect to DNA replication, hereditary, gene expression and control, and the role of mutations at both the DNA and chromosomal levels. The paper provides a pat... | |||
| BIOMO203 | Microbiology | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper will focus on microbial cell structure, function, and metabolism. Content and context will be drawn from both human and environmental examples. Students will acquire skills in microbiological laboratory techniques, data collection, data analysis, and report presentation. This paper is required for the Molecular and Cellu... | |||
| BIOMO204 | Cell and Organ Physiology in Health and Disease | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| This paper integrates basic cell physiology with organ-based physiology and histology, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the structure-function relationships in physiological processes. Intercellular communication, tissue/organ structure and systems physiology will be discussed in the context of health and di... | |||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOMD306 | Molecular Biology and Health | 15.0 | 24B (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... | |||
| BIOMO301 | Advanced Biochemistry | 15.0 | 24B (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 | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper will provide advanced knowledge on microbial and eukaryotic genomes, next generation sequencing, bioinformatics, gene editing, the regulation and expression of genes, human disease, and population genetics. | |||
| BIOMO303 | Advanced Microbiology | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| The paper will provide knowledge of microbial functions and the role of the microbiome in human and ecosystem health. | |||
| BIOMO304 | From Brain to Behaviour | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| The paper will provide a knowledge of physiology with an emphasis on basic research pertaining to how the peripheral tissues and organs communicate with the brain and how it impacts behaviour and affects select health outcomes. | |||
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOMO501 | Biomolecular Structure and Cellular Pathways | 15.0 | 24B (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 | 15.0 | 24A (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 | 15.0 | 24A (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 | 15.0 | 24B (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 | 15.0 | 24A (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 | 15.0 | 24B (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. | |||
| BIOMO592 | Dissertation | 60.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | |||
| BIOMO593 | Molecular and Cellular Biology Thesis | 90.0 | No occurrences |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | |||
| BIOMO594 | Molecular and Cellular Biology Thesis | 120.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | |||
| CHEMY511 | Structural Characterisation I | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24G (Hamilton) |
| Using a combination of lectures viewed online and instrumental work, students master the skills required to acquire NMR and mass spectra and interpret these to identify an unknown compound. Students should have received basic instruction in carbon and proton NMR before considering enrolling in this course. | |||
| COMPX555 | Bioinformatics | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| An introduction to bioinformatics, open to students majoring in computer science or biology. It includes an overview of molecular biology, genomics, script language programming, algorithms for biological data, an introduction to machine learning and data mining, and relevant statistical methods. | |||
| SCIEN512 | Data Analysis and Experimental Design | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers aspects of research design for experiments, and methods for analysis of scientific data using modern statistical techniques. | |||
| SCIEN589 | Directed Study | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24A (Tauranga), 24B (Hamilton), 24B (Tauranga), 24C (Hamilton) & 24C (Tauranga) |
| No description available. | |||
800 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOMO800 | Molecular and Cellular Biology MPhil Thesis | 120.0 | 24X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga) |
| No description available. | |||
900 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOMO900 | Molecular and Cellular Biology PhD Thesis | 120.0 | 24I (Hamilton), 24I (Tauranga), 24J (Hamilton), 24K (Hamilton), 24X (Hamilton) & 24X (Tauranga) |
| No description available. | |||
Scholarships and prizes
Selected scholarships for Molecular and Cellular Biology students.
New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.
Looking for more scholarships?
Contacts
School of Science
Phone: 0800 924 528 or +64 7 838 4625
Email: [email protected]
Website: sci.waikato.ac.nz
Facebook: facebook.com/WaikatoScience