Otago Biochemistry: careers advice for high school students, Research, Department of Biochemistry

This page provides biochemistry-related careers advice for high school students.

If you have been enjoying learning about biology at high school, particularly...

NCEA Level 2 Biology	NCEA Level 3 Biology
Gene expression Life processes at the cellular level Investigating biological material at the microscopic level Adaptation of plants or animals to their way of life	Human manipulations of genetic transfer and its biological implications Evolutionary processes leading to speciation Responses of plants and animals to their external environment

...then you will probably enjoy biochemistry at university.

What is biochemistry?

Biochemists aim to explain how all living things work at the molecular level. They study molecules in order to understand life and death, how cells can be turned into bio-factories, how to make improved medicines and crops, how trillions of cells assemble to form you, why you get old, and what causes diseases like cancer.

Because biochemistry is the basis of all life, from bacteria and viruses through to plants and humans, it underpins all other life sciences such as microbiology, physiology, zoology, and botany, as well as being a foundation subject for all the health sciences.

It doesn't matter which area of biology you are interested in, biochemistry will enhance your understanding of life.

What can I do with a biochemistry degree?

From a researcher discovering new treatments for disease, to a medical writer or biotech entrepreneur, the opportunities for biochemistry graduates are wide-ranging.

Read here about some real-life career stories from biochemistry graduates and examples of different careers that a biochemistry degree can lead to:

Career opportunities for Biochemistry graduates

What are the requirements for studying biochemistry?

You don't need to love chemistry if you want to study biochemistry at Otago, but we strongly recommend that you have a minimum of 14 credits in NCEA Level 3 Chemistry (or equivalent).

NCEA Level 3 Biology is useful but not compulsory for prospective students.

This page lists what you need to study at Otago to complete a Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Biochemistry. You can find out what the prerequisites are for each paper on the page by clicking on them.

Programme Requirements for a BSc majoring in Biochemistry

What do you learn when you study biochemistry at Otago?

The papers you can take as undergraduate in the Department of Biochemistry cover a wide range of topics, including: what the basic building blocks of life look like and how they work, metabolism, how cells operate, plant biochemistry, diseases from infections through to cancer, and the latest advances in biotechnology.