Bachelor of Science
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.
360 points, 3 years
Hamilton, Tauranga
Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info.
Trimester A (February) and Trimester B (July).
Why study the Bachelor of Science?
The range of career options available to Bachelor of Science (BSc) graduates isn't surprising when you consider the nature of the degree. It is extremely flexible so you can combine papers to suit your strengths and interests. We keep it general in the first year so that your choice, when you do come to specialise, is an informed one.
Putting into practice what you learn in your lectures is a major part of this degree - and you'll gain hands-on experience with some of the most up-to-date and high-tech computing facilities and laboratory equipment.
We also take you right to the source, with field trips that might include an overnight stay to gather geothermal samples or a week-long bush camp to examine a region's flora.
The Bachelor of Science can be taken either through the School of Science or the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, depending on your desired major/s.
Career Opportunities
- Animal Welfare Officer
- Chemical Analyst
- Environmental Scientist
- Laboratory Manager
- Software Developer
- Statistician
- Web Architect
360 points, 3 years
Hamilton, Tauranga
Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info.
Trimester A (February) and Trimester B (July).
Degree information
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Subjects Choose a subject
Browse available subjects and choose one for more information.
Browse BSc subjects Browse available subjects and choose one for more information
Minor subjects A minor is a good was to add a complimentary focus area to your degree. You can complete a minor subject by successfully taking four papers (60 points) in the same subject in place of elective papers. Any of the major subjects can be taken as a minor, or choose any other subject within the University.
Some recommended minors are:
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Entry Requirements There are five ways you can gain admission to the University of Waikato.
- NCEA University Entrance
- Admission at entrance level
- Discretionary entrance
- University Entrance prior to 2015
- Special admission.
For full details visit Entry Requirements.
As an international student studying at undergraduate level, you are required to meet English language and academic entry requirements.
View Entry requirements for undergraduate international students.
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Fees and scholarships Estimated fees
$7,821 per year
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Fees free
You may be eligible for fees-free study in your first year.
Fees-free for new students -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Find a scholarship
Relevant as of 01 May 2024.
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.
Estimated fees
$36,830 - $38,305 per year
-
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Find a scholarship
Relevant as of 01 May 2024.
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.
-
Browse available subjects and choose one for more information
A minor is a good was to add a complimentary focus area to your degree. You can complete a minor subject by successfully taking four papers (60 points) in the same subject in place of elective papers. Any of the major subjects can be taken as a minor, or choose any other subject within the University.
Some recommended minors are:
There are five ways you can gain admission to the University of Waikato.
- NCEA University Entrance
- Admission at entrance level
- Discretionary entrance
- University Entrance prior to 2015
- Special admission.
For full details visit Entry Requirements.
As an international student studying at undergraduate level, you are required to meet English language and academic entry requirements.
View Entry requirements for undergraduate international students.
Estimated fees
$7,821 per year
-
Fees free
You may be eligible for fees-free study in your first year.
Fees-free for new students -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Find a scholarship
Relevant as of 01 May 2024.
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.
Estimated fees
$36,830 - $38,305 per year
-
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Find a scholarship
Relevant as of 01 May 2024.
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.
Facilities
The University of Waikato’s School of Science is home to a suite of well-equipped laboratories. Most science papers include weekly laboratory sessions, giving you the chance to put what you’ve learnt in lectures and tutorials into practice. Our undergraduate students also have the opportunity to use complex research equipment and techniques, such as NMR spectroscopy and DNA sequencing.
The computing facilities at the University of Waikato are among the best in New Zealand, ranging from phones and tablets for mobile application development to cluster computers for massively parallel processing. Computer Science, Mathematics and Data Analytics students will also have 24 hour access to computer labs equipped with all the latest computer software.
Study in Tauranga
Depending on your major subject, study in Tauranga can work in different ways.
Aquaculture, Environmental Sciences and Computer Science
From 2020, all three years of these majors are available in Tauranga. For Aquaculture and Environmental Sciences, Year 1 will be available from 2019; Year 2 from 2020; and Year 3 from 2021. For Computer Science, Year 1 will be available from 2020; Year 2 from 2021; and Year 3 from 2022.
Ecology and Biodiversity
Toi Ohomai pathway: Once you've completed the NZ Diploma in Environmental Management - Marine or Terrestrial (Levels 5 and 6) with Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology with at least a B grade average, you'll be guaranteed admission to the BSc (majoring in Ecology and Biodiversity) with credit of up to 240 points towards the degree. This only applies to students coming through the agreed pathway with Toi Ohomai. All others will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
You can then complete the final year of the BSc degree in Tauranga by studying University of Waikato papers.
Once you have commenced your Diploma, we recommend you discuss your intended degree programme with University staff. We will advise you on degree and subject requirements.
Psychology
Psychology can be a major subject of the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Sciences, or Bachelor of Science. Only some of the 'List A' and 'List C' papers are available in Tauranga.
Subjects not accepting new enrolments
Biological Sciences
If you have already started the NZ Diploma in Environmental Management through Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, a B average still guarantees you admission into Year 3 of the BSc in Biological Sciences in 2020. From 2021, the Ecology and Biodiversity major is replacing Biological Sciences.
Applied Computing
If you have already started studying at Toi Ohomai, your pathway into Year 3 in 2020 will still be open.
Bachelor of Science with Honours
In the School of Science, entry into an honours year in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences or Materials and Processing is by invitation only to exceptional students.
The School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences also offers a one-year BSc Honours programme in Computer Science, Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence or Data Analytics.
Practical experience
The Bachelor of Science is a practical degree with laboratory and/or field work associated with most subjects.
In some papers you will be able to take part in field trips to local beaches, forests and lakes to conduct sampling and learn first-hand about the environments you are studying.
For some science subjects, you also have the opportunity to undertake an independent or small team research project (special topics paper) which may be laboratory or literature-survey based.
What are our students saying
Contact us
Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.