Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Biological Sciences
There are many options available to you within a BSc Biological Sciences major.
Your BSc programme will consist of courses worth 15 points each, totalling 360 points. You can choose to keep your Biological Sciences major general, or you can follow one of nine pathways as a way to focus your studies further. You can also choose to do a double major, which means you study two Science subjects at the same time.
You must complete the following courses plus a capstone course in your final year of study. The capstone course is a student-led project where you integrate and apply your learning to a real-world problem in your chosen major or specialisation. For Biological Sciences we recommend the capstone course, BIOSCI 399. The capstone course will allow you to debate contemporary issues in biology, and explore how these issues are interpreted from a cultural, political and economic perspective. For other capstone options, see our Capstone courses page.
60 points:
- BIOSCI 101 Life! Origins and Mechanisms
- BIOSCI 108 Biodiversity: Patterns of Life
- BIOSCI 109 Ecology and Evolution: The Continuum of Life
- STATS 101 Introduction to Statistics
15 points:
30 points from:
- BIOSCI 201 Cellular and Molecular Biology
- BIOSCI 202 Genetics
- BIOSCI 203 Biochemistry
- BIOSCI 204 Principles of Microbiology
- BIOSCI 205 Plant, Cell and Environment
- BIOSCI 206 Principles of Ecology
- BIOSCI 207 Adaptive Form and Function
- BIOSCI 208 Invertebrate Diversity
- BIOSCI 210 Evolution and the Biological Origin of Life
45 points from:
- BIOSCI 322 Evolution of Genes, Populations and Species
- BIOSCI 324 Plant Pathology and Symbiosis
- BIOSCI 325 Plant Diversity and Function
- BIOSCI 326 Plant Biotechnology for Crops and Health
- BIOSCI 328 Fisheries and Aquaculture
- BIOSCI 333 Marine Ecology and Conservation
- BIOSCI 334 Biology of Marine Organisms
- BIOSCI 335 Ecological Physiology
- BIOSCI 337 Animal Behaviour
- BIOSCI 338 Biology of Terrestrial Animals
- BIOSCI 347 Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology
- BIOSCI 348 Food and Industrial Microbiology
- BIOSCI 349 Biomedical Microbiology
- BIOSCI 350 Protein Structure and Function
- BIOSCI 351 Molecular Genetics
- BIOSCI 353 Molecular and Cellular Regulation
- BIOSCI 355 Genomics and Genome Biology
- BIOSCI 356 Developmental Biology and Cancer
- BIOSCI 358 Nutritional Science
- BIOSCI 394 Terrestrial Ecology and Conservation
- BIOSCI 395 Pacific Biogeography and Biodiversity
- MARINE 303 Freshwater and Estuarine Ecology
You can use our degree planners to help you plan the courses you need to take for your BSc. To find the most up to date Biological Sciences (general pathway) degree planner, go to the Science degree planners page.
If you began your degree prior to 2019 we recommend you seek advice to make sure you are taking the correct courses. Visit your online help and support centre, AskAuckland.
Biological Sciences pathways
As a Biological Sciences student you’ll take common core courses in each year of study. You can choose to keep your Biological Sciences major general, or you can choose to follow one or more of the following pathways:
Doing a double major with Biological Sciences
If you choose to do a double major in your BSc, we recommend the following subjects to complement Biological Sciences: Anthropological Science, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Environmental Science, Exercise Sciences, Geography, Psychology and Statistics.
How to change your plan
If you would like to change your major or specialisation, or add a pathway to your Biological Sciences major, visit How to change your plan.
Preparing for your Biological Sciences major
Some students will feel more prepared for our Biological Sciences courses if they have already studied some science subjects in high school.
Find out which school subjects will help you feel prepared by reading our Subject guide for school students.
Help and advice
Student Hubs
Visit your hubs for help and advice on any aspect of your studies and life at University.
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The Student Hubs services are available seven days a week at the City, Grafton, Epsom and Tai Tonga campuses and six days a week at Tai Tokerau, with friendly staff available to provide you with advice on any aspect of your studies and life at the University.