Biological Sciences
Why study Biological Sciences?
Whether you enjoy solving problems in a laboratory or working outdoors, our Biological Sciences programme will provide you with the ultimate learning environment. Surrounded by lakes, rivers, intriguing ecosystems, and many important biological industries, the University of Waikato is uniquely placed in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island.
Waikato University’s Biological Sciences research is highly regarded internationally. Our projects are supported by multi-million dollar investments from government and industry, many of which have significant iwi and other community involvement. These include lakes management, freshwater ecology, horticultural and agricultural research, coastal marine science and aquaculture, urban restoration, animal behaviour and physiology, medical microbiology and Antarctic ecosystems. This funding supports many student and collaborative projects, together with scholarship and postgraduate opportunities.
Career Opportunities
- Agricultural Researcher
- Biosecurity Officer
- Environmental Microbiologist
- Conservation officer
- Fisheries Scientist
- Forensic Technician
- Geneticist
- Marine Biologist
- Medical Sciences Technician
- Plant Physiologist
Hamilton, Tauranga
Study Biological Sciences in these qualifications
Note: From 2018 Biological Sciences will be replaced by Ecology & Biodiversity and Molecular & Cellular Biology at the Hamilton campus.
Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info.
Facilities
The University of Waikato’s School of Science is home to a suite of well-equipped laboratories. Research units and facilities within Biological Sciences include the Waikato Stable Isotope Unit, the Waikato DNA Sequencing Facility, the Thermophile & Microbial Biochemistry & Biotechnology Unit, the International Centre for Terrestrial Antarctic Research, the University of Waikato Herbarium (a controlled environment glasshouse facility), and field centres for freshwater and coastal marine science.
Build a successful career
Careers in Biological Sciences come in many shapes and sizes, with many offering opportunities for travel. From managing the Savannah animals at Hamilton Zoo, to working with embryos at a London fertility clinic, our graduates find jobs in exciting and challenging industries in New Zealand and overseas. You could find a career as an ecologist managing the restoration of natural ecosystems, a physiologist aiming to understand how organisms function, or a geneticist using DNA as the key to identifying diseases or organisms.
Study in Tauranga
Start by enrolling in the NZ Diploma in Environmental Management - Marine or Terrestrial Level 6 with Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology. Once you've completed the full two years of the diploma with at least a B grade average, you can then apply to enrol in the University's Biological Sciences papers offered in Tauranga.
Scholarships and Prizes
Anne Shannon Scholarship
For students who are enrolled in their second year of full-time study (120 points) in either a BSc or BSc(Tech) majoring in Ecology & Biodiversity or Molecular & Cellular Biology. Applicants must be enrolled in at least 60 points of papers coded BIOEBxxx or BIOMOxxx.