WTRSCI 100: Contemporary Science in Aotearoa New Zealand

WTRSCI 100 welcomes you into our Faculty, this campus and our city. This core course examines what science is and showcases different ways that science is done in our faculty, from experimentation to modelling to qualitative approaches. You will learn why knowledge systems are important and how place is relevant to contemporary science in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The course will deepen your understanding of important questions facing science today including how can we be more sustainable, how might we protect and restore our environment, what are the implications of technology for our future, how can we better communicate science to a diverse audience, and how can we generate creative solutions to complex problems by working across and beyond science.

A key component of the course delivery is a weekly in-person studio and lab, where you will actively engage with other students from across our faculty to enhance your communication and collaboration skills along with extending your critical and ethical thinking. This is supported by weekly skills modules that will cumulatively strengthen your capabilities. In WTRSCI 100 you will also build a toolkit to equip you to tackle ethical issues in science.

Your WTR core course will connect you with first-year students from across the faculty. You will get an opportunity to engage with research that demonstrates the breadth of knowledge and questions that motivate us in the science faculty, providing a strong foundation to build on in your programme. It will be a prerequisite in your second-year science major(s) or specialisation so please make sure you complete your WTR course in your first year.

All programmes include a 15-point Waipapa Taumata Rau (WTR) core course that should be completed in your first year. It is a vital part of the unique educational experience offered at our University, providing foundational knowledge and essential skills to support your learning and future career.

Your WTR course will deliver core knowledge relevant to your programme of study. All courses introduce you to key elements of our Graduate Profile, which aspires to educate future scholars, global citizens, innovators and leaders.

Waipapa Taumata Rau is the Māori name gifted to the University of Auckland symbolising your aspirations, seeking to be a part of our University, and success in your studies.