School of Biological Sciences Te Kura Mātauranga Koiora

Explore biology at a school ranked top in New Zealand for its research quality.

Our world-class staff can introduce you to biomedical science, biotechnology, conservation biology, evolutionary genetics, marine biology, New Zealand’s endangered species, reproductive biology and more.

You will also be exposed to opportunities to engage in ground-breaking international research and discovery.

Our Staff Our programmes

Te Toki a Rata—Biology's newest building

Our brand new teaching and research facilities opening for Trimester One in 2018.

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Biological Sciences

Biological Science is the study of how living organisms work. Learn to apply this knowledge of living things to make life better for humans, and help the environment.

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Available subjects

  • Biology
  • Biotechnology
  • Cell and Molecular Bioscience
  • Molecular Microbiology

Biomedical Sciences

Biomedical science is about innovative research into human health. Be at the forefront of discovery—from researching genetics and reproduction, to understanding the cellular and molecular structure of a disease, to searching for a cure.

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Available subjects

  • Biomedical Science
  • Clinical Immunology
  • Clinical Research
  • Drug Discovery and Development
  • Human Genetics
  • Molecular Pathology
  • Molecular Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry

Ecology and Marine Biology

Take your passion for the natural world to the next level. Explore topics in ecology, marine biology and conservation biology and learn about the vast diversity of plants, animals and micro-organisms that live on earth.

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Available subjects

  • Conservation Biology
  • Ecological Restoration
  • Ecology and Biodiversity
  • Marine Biology
  • Marine Conservation

Centre for Biodiscovery

The Centre for Biodiscovery’s mission is to enhance health and wellbeing through discovery and application of nature-inspired products and processes.

Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology

The Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology focuses on the restoration of depleted species and communities in ecosystems impacted by human activity.

Coastal Ecology Laboratory

The Victoria University Coastal Ecology Laboratory in Wellington’s Island Bay supports the School of Biological Sciences’ coastal ecology research.
More news

Latest news

  • A monarch butterfly with crumpled wings because of ophryocystis elektroscirrha.

    Using citizen science to help monarch butterflies

    Do any of the monarch butterflies in your garden have crumpled and deformed wings? Are they unable to fly and just fall to the ground? Do the pupae (chrysalis) have black spots? If so, they may have a parasite called Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (or OE) that is only found in monarch butterflies.Professor Phil Lester is researching how common this parasite is amongst monarch butterflies in New Zealand, and he is looking for citizen scientists to help him.

  • Kauri and the community

    A University-led education and outreach project called Te Kura O Te Kauri has spent the last month aiming to inspire over 1000 students, teachers, family and community members to become guardians of their kauri forests.

  • rat inside sistema Tupperware box

    Secret lives of rats

    Most of us would go out of our way to avoid rats, but Victoria University of Wellington Master’s student Henry Mackenzie is closely tracking urban rats as they move round Wellington.