The Bachelor of Science (BSc) is a three-year undergraduate degree which enables each student to develop his or her own interests in a science subject (science major) and related subjects. Students have the flexibility to combine their major subject with other science subjects, as well as subjects from other disciplines across the University.
Selecting a minor subject is not compulsory and there may be other combinations of papers more appropriate to your degree. There are no particular subject requirements for the other papers of your degree, but if you wish you may have another subject specified as a minor subject in your degree by passing
the prescribed papers for any of the listed subjects.
144 further points. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science.
*Students should examine prerequisites for their selected 200-level and 300-level papers when choosing their 100-level and 200-level options. With approval from the Programme Director, other papers relevant to Agricultural Innovation may be substituted for one of the optional natural, human, or technical world papers at 100-level, one optional paper at 200-level and for one optional paper at 300-level.
(STAT 110 Statistical Methods, or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics recommended)
Students who first enrol in a BSc majoring in Anatomy from 2023 onwards are required to take at least one Māori-focused paper from the list below. These papers can be taken in any year of study if prerequisites have been met.
Note: PTWY 131 is only available to students enrolled in the Diploma in Science.
One of NEUR 201 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience or NEUR 202 Systems Neuroscience
18
300-level
Four of: ANAT 312 Advanced Reproduction and Development ANAT 331 Functional Anatomy ANAT 335 Neurobiology BIOA 301 Biological Anthropology of the Human Skeleton BMSC 321 Cell Biology
Note: BIOA 201 Biocultural Human Skeletal Biology is a prerequisite for BIOA 301
72
Māori-focused
One of: MAOR 102 Māori Society MAOR 108 Waiata: Te Tīmatanga MAOR 110 Introduction to Conversational Māori MAOR 120 Introducing
the Māori World MAOH 201 Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Individuals and Whānau PUBH 204 Hauora Māori: Challenges and Opportunities SPEX 206 Te Pū o te Ora
Māori Physical Education and Health
18
Plus
144 further points.
At least 180 points of the 360 points required for the BSc must be at 200-level or above.
Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science.
144
Total
360
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Aquaculture and Fisheries
STAT 110 Statistical Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics
18
Three of: BIOL 123 Plants: How They Shape the World CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology CHEM 111 Chemistry: Molecular Architecture CHEM 191
The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health EAOS 111 Earth and Ocean Science ECOL 111 Ecology and Conservation of Diversity
54
200-level
MARI 202 Ecology and Biology of Marine Invertebrates
CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health
18
At least one of: BIOL 112 Animal Biology BIOL 123 Plants: How They Shape the World CHEM 111 Chemistry: Molecular Architecture HUBS 191
Human Body Systems 1 HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2 PTWY 131 Introduction to the Human Body PTWY 132 Introduction to Plant Life STAT 110
Statistical Methods STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics
PTWY 131 and PTWY 132 are only available to students enrolled in the Diploma in Science.
With Head of Department approval, one 300-level BIOC paper may be replaced by another relevant 300-level paper.
18
Plus
162 further points (GENE 221 Molecular and Microbial Genetics strongly recommended); must include 54 points at 200-level or above.
Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science.
162
Total
360
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Botany
Level
Papers
Points
100-level
BIOL 123 Plants: How They Shape the World, or PTWY 132 Introduction to Plant Life
18
One of: BIOL 112 Animal Biology CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology ECOL 111 Ecology and Conservation of Diversity HUBS 191
Human Body Systems 1 HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2 PTWY 131 Introduction to the Human Body
18
One of: CHEM 111 Chemistry: Molecular Architecture CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health PHSI 191 Biological Physics STAT 110
Statistical Methods STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics
Note: PTWY 131 and PTWY 132 are only available to students enrolled in the Diploma in Science.
18
200-level
BTNY 201 Plant Functional Biology and Biotechnology
144 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above.
Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science
Notes: (i) Students are exempt from COMP 161 if they have gained entry to COMP 162 by passing COMP 151 with a grade of at least B or via an Advanced Placement Test. (ii) Students who have passed at least one of MATH 120, 130, 140, COMO 101, STAT 110, 115, BSNS 112, or FINC 102 as part of another subject's requirements do not need to pass another one of these papers to fulfil the Computer Science requirements. (iii) The Computer Science curriculum is being refreshed. Students commencing from 2021 will complete their studies following these regulations, but information is not currently available for all of the papers listed. Please contact the Department of Computer Science for further details. Existing Computer Science students will have different regulation requirements and should seek course advice.
STAT 110 Statistical Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics
Note: Students are exempt from COMP 161 if they have gained entry to COMP 162 by passing COMP 151 with a grade of at least B or via an Advanced Placement Test.
One of: COMO 101 Modelling and Computation MATH 120 Mathematics for Scientists MATH 130 Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics STAT 110 Statistical Methods STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics
18
200-level
GEOG 216 Environmental Management: Principles and Values
Four of: SPEX 301 Performance Analysis SPEX 303 Exercise Energetics and Physiology SPEX 304 Sport Psychology SPEX 305 Athletic Conditioning and Rehabilitation SPEX 311 Sports Technology SPEX 316 Practicum SPEX 317 Neural Control of Movement
72
Plus
144 further points (SPEX 206 Te Pū o te Ora Māori Physical Education and Health recommended); must include 36 points at 200-level or above.
Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science.
144
Total
360
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Food Science
CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health
18
HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1, or PTWY 131 Introduction to the Human Body
18
STAT 110 Statistical Methods, or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics
18
At least one of the following is recommended: BIOL 123 Plants: How They Shape the World CHEM 111 Chemistry: Molecular Architecture (highly recommended) HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2 MATH 130
Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics 1 PHSI 191 Biological Physics (recommended) PTWY 132 Introduction to Plant Life
Note: PTWY 131 and PTWY 132 are only available to students enrolled in the Diploma in Science.
Notes: (i) PTWY 131 and PTWY 132 are only available to students enrolled in the Diploma in Science. (ii) *Students should check the prerequisites for these 300-level papers when selecting 200-level papers.
72
Plus
162 further points, must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science.
162
Total
360
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Geographic Information Systems
Note: Students are exempt from COMP 161 if they have gained entry to COMP 162 by passing COMP 151 with a grade of at least B or via an Advanced Placement Test.
108 further points. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science.
Notes: These requirements apply to students who are commencing this programme in 2023. Students who enrolled in this programme in 2022 or earlier will normally complete the programme under the regulations in force when they first enrolled. Pre-2023 programme requirements can be found in the 2022 University of Otago Calendar and the 2022 Guide to Enrolment. If you have any questions regarding the structure of your degree, please contact surveying.advice@otago.ac.nz for further information.
One of MATH 120 Mathematics for Scientists MATH 130 Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics 1 MATH 140 Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics 2 COMO 101
Modelling and Computation STAT 110 Statistical Methods STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics
COMP 161 Computer Programming or COMP 162 Foundations of Computer Science
Note: Students are exempt from COMP 161 if they have gained entry to COMP 162 by passing COMP 151 with a grade of at least B or via an Advanced Placement Test.
Notes: These requirements apply to students who are commencing this programme in 2023. Students who enrolled in this programme in 2022 or earlier will normally complete the programme under the regulations in force when they first enrolled. Pre-2023 programme requirements can be found in the 2022 University of Otago Calendar and the 2022 Guide to Enrolment. If you have any questions regarding the structure of your degree, please contact surveying.advice@otago.ac.nz for further information.
126
Total
360
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Marine Science
One of COMO 101 Modelling and Computation MATH 120 Mathematics for Scientists MATH 130 Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics 1 MATH 140 Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics 2 STAT 110 Statistical Methods STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics
Two of: AQFI 352 Fisheries Ecology MARI 301 Marine Ecology and Ecosystems MARI 302 Biology and Behaviour of Marine Vertebrates MARI 322 Coastal and Shelf Seas Oceanography
198 further points; must include 72 points at 200-level or above
Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science
Notes: (i) Students should check the prerequisites for 300-level papers when selecting 200-level papers. (ii) Students majoring in Marine Science will not be permitted to major or minor in Aquaculture and Fisheries.
Notes: (i) All of the 100-level required papers, except PSYC 111, should be taken in the first year of study to ensure unimpeded progress through the major subject requirements. (ii) PTWY 131 is only available to students enrolled in the Diploma in Science.
Note: For students with a major or minor in Neuroscience, the prerequisite for PSYC 211 is PSYC 111. It is common for Neuroscience students to enrol in PSYC 111 in semester one of their second year.
Note: No more than three 300-level papers with the same subject code (other than NEUR) may count towards the major subject requirements.
72
Plus
144 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above
Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science
Notes: (i) A list of recommended complementary papers can be found on the Neuroscience Programme Undergraduate Study webpage. (ii) Prerequisites for all papers are recorded on the paper information pages. Note that the prerequisite for PHAL 312 is PHAL 241. (iii) For students who entered the programme prior to 2024 please contact the Neuroscience programme for advice on programme requirements.
144
Total
360
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Pharmacology
Note: PTWY 131 is only available to students enrolled in the Diploma in Science.
18
200-level
Three of: SPEX 203 Exercise Physiology SPEX 205 Physical Activity and Health SPEX 206 Te Pū o te Ora Māori Physical Education and Health SPEX 207
Understanding Sports Coaching
54
300-level
Four of: SPEX 306 Te Pou o te Koronga Advanced Māori Physical Education and Health SPEX 307 Coaching, Leadership and Mentoring SPEX 308 Psychology of Physical Activity SPEX 309
Active Living and Environment SPEX 310 Exercise for Clinical Populations SPEX 316 Practicum
72
Plus
162 further points. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science.
162
Total
360
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Physics
Level
Papers
Points
100-level
PHSI 131 Fundamentals of Physics I or PHSI 191 Biological Physics
144 further points, must include 18 points at 200-level or above.
Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science.
Notes: (i) PHSI 191 assumes an understanding of NCEA Level 2 Physics; PHSI 131 and 132 assume an understanding of NCEA Level 3 Physics and Mathematics. (ii) Qualified candidates may substitute ELEC 253 or PHSI 243 for PHSI 131 with approval from the Head of Department. (iii) It is recommended to take both of MATH 202, 203. (iv) MATH 203 is a prerequisite for PHSI 336.
144
Total
360
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Physiology
Level
Papers
Points
100-level
HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1, or PTWY 131 Introduction to the Human Body
At least two of: BIOC 192 Foundations of Biochemistry CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health PHSI 191
Biological Physics
36
Note: PTWY 131 is only available to students enrolled in the Diploma in Science.
200-level
PHSL 232 Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology
18
PHSL 233 Cellular, Gastrointestinal and Renal Physiology
18
One of:
18
NEUR 201 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
NEUR 202 Systems Neuroscience
300-level
Four of: PHSL 341 Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurophysiology (I) PHSL 344 Cardiovascular Physiology PHSL 345 Physiological Aspects of Health and Disease BMSC
321 Cell Biology NEUR 303 Neuroendocrinology
72
Plus
162 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above.
Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science
162
Total
360
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Plant Biotechnology
Level
Papers
Points
100-level
BIOL 123 Plants: How They Shape the World, or PTWY 132 Introduction to Plant Life
18
At least one of: BIOC 192 Foundations of Biochemistry CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health ECOL 111
Ecology and Conservation of Diversity
18
Note: PTWY 132 is only available to students enrolled in the Diploma in Science.
200-level
BTNY 201 Plant Functional Biology and Biotechnology
180 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above.
Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science
Note: Prerequisite for BIOC 192 is CHEM 191.
Prerequisites for 200-level BIOC and GENE papers include CELS 191 and may include CHEM 191 or BIOC 192. ECOL 111 is a prerequisite for some BTNY 200-level papers.
Four of: PSYC 311 Quantitative Methods PSYC 313 Cognition and Neuropsychology PSYC 315 Social Psychology PSYC 317 Biopsychology PSYC 318 Developmental
Psychology PSYC 319 Comparative Cognition PSYC 321 Special Topic PSYC 323 Sensation and Perception PSYC 324 Health
Psychology PSYC 325 Psychology in Legal Contexts PSYC 326 Human Factors and Ergonomics PSYC 327 Psychology of Language PSYC 328
Behaviour Analysis in Everyday Life PSYC 329 Cultural Psychology PSYC 330 Drugs, Behaviour, Addiction, and Policy PSYC 331 Applied Psychological Research
PSYC 311 Quantitative Methods is a required paper for postgraduate study.
72
Plus
198 further points which may include STAT 110 or STAT 115; must include 54 points at 200-level or above.
Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science
198
Total
360
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Software Engineering
One of: FINC 102 Business Mathematics MATH 120 Mathematics for Scientists MATH 130 Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics 1 MATH 140
Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics 2
18
200-level
INFO 203 Human-Computer Interaction and User Experience
144 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above.
Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science.
Notes: (i) Students are exempt from COMP 161 if they have gained entry to COMP 162 by passing COMP 151 with a grade of at least B or via an Advanced Placement Test. (ii) Students who have passed at least one of MATH 120, 130, 140, or FINC 102 as part of another subject's requirements do not need to pass another one of these papers to fulfil the Software Engineering requirements.
144
Total
360
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Sport and Exercise Nutrition
SPEX 303 Exercise Energetics and Physiology and SPEX 305 Athletic Conditioning and Rehabilitation, or SPEX 308 Psychology of Physical Activity and
SPEX 309
Active Living and Environment
36
90 further points. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science.
Note: Cannot be taken by students majoring in Human Nutrition.
Four of: SPEX 304 Sport Psychology SPEX 312 Advanced Sociology of Sport SPEX 313 Sport and Health Policy SPEX 314 Advanced Sport Management SPEX 315 Sport Media
72
Plus
162 further points (SPEX 206 Te Pū o te Ora Māori Physical Education and Health recommended); must include 54 points at 200-level or above.
Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science.
162
Total
360
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Statistics
Level
Papers
Points
100-level
STAT 110 Statistical Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics
A Bachelor of Surveying degree is also offered. These requirements apply to students who are commencing this programme in 2023. Students who enrolled in this programme in 2022 or earlier will normally complete the programme under the regulations in force when they first enrolled. Pre-2023 programme requirements can be found in the 2022 University of Otago Calendar and the 2022 Guide to Enrolment. If you have any questions regarding the structure of your degree, please contact surveying.advice@otago.ac.nz for further information.
180 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above.
Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science
ZOOL 316 Biological Data Analysis and Computing, is strongly recommended for students intending to advance to PGDipSci or MSc in Zoology, PGDipWLM, or MWLM, and is required for students intending to advance to BSc(Hons) in Zoology.
180
Total
360
Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Structure of the Programme
Every programme of study for the degree
shall consist of papers worth not less than 360 points
shall include at least 180 points for papers above 100-level, of which at least 72 points shall be for papers above 200-level
shall satisfy the requirements for at least one of the major subjects listed above. No paper above 200-level may count for more than one Major Subject Requirement
Every programme of study shall satisfy the requirements for prerequisites, corequisites, and restrictions set out in the Prescriptions (published in the Guide to Enrolment).
A candidate with outstanding results in a subject prior to entering the University may be permitted by the Head of Department concerned to enrol for a paper at 200-level without having satisfied the normal prerequisites. In such cases the candidate shall not be credited with the prerequisite papers, but shall be exempted from including those papers in a Major Subject Requirement. A candidate may not, having passed any such paper at 200-level, enrol subsequently for any prerequisite paper from which exemption has been given.
Cross Credits
A candidate who is enrolled for two degrees concurrently, or who has completed one degree and is proceeding with another, may cross credit 100-level and 200-level papers which are common to both degrees up to a maximum of 126 points where the other degree is a three-year degree and up to a maximum of 180 points where the other degree is longer than a three-year degree.
Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2024 Calendar and supplementary material.
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