Biology—Mātai Koiora
Take a Biology major and explore the wonder of life in all its forms and at all levels, from tiny molecules to ecosystems that support a vast array of life.
This major is the most flexible option offered by the School of Biological Sciences, and no two Biology degrees look the same. With the widest choice of 200- and 300-level courses in Biology (BIOL), Biomedical Science (BMSC), and Biotechnology (BTEC) of any major in the School of Biological Sciences, you can chart your own course through genetics, evolution, cell and molecular biology, plant and animal biology, microbiology, marine biology, and conservation science, or specialise as your interests sharpen.
If you're interested in biology but aren't yet sure which areas interest you most, or you want the flexibility to add a second major, the Biology major is the right choice. This breadth also makes Biology a strong foundation for further study, or for bringing a biological perspective to fields such as Law, Chemistry, Space Science, or the Arts.
Laboratory classes and fieldwork are integrated throughout the programme, so you'll be testing ideas on real organisms and real data, not just reading about them. You'll be taught by researchers working at the forefront of their fields in a School ranked among the best in the country. If further study is on your radar, we'll help you select 200- and 300-level courses that keep pathways open to any of our more specialised postgraduate programmes.
Where this major can take you
You'll graduate with skills that employers consistently rank as hard to find:
- practical lab and field experience
- the ability to critically evaluate and communicate complex information
- confidence in analysing complex biological data.
Our graduates go on to work in ministries, schools, biotech and private research companies, environmental consultancies, healthcare and diagnostics, sales and marketing, and science communication.
Example programme of study for 2027
An example programme of study for an undergraduate Biology major is shown below. This example also meets the entry requirements for our Cell and Molecular Bioscience (CBIO), Molecular Microbiology (MBIO), and Biotechnology (BTEC) postgraduate programmes.
Required 100-level courses for the Biology major are highlighted in bold below. Students must also complete at least 60 points of 200-level courses and 60 points of 300-level courses from BIOL, BMSC, and/or BTEC. Point values are shown in brackets (xx pt). Please note that this is an example programme only, and there is flexibility in course selection.
Programme Director
Senior Lecturer · Program Director for Biology
School of Biological Sciences