Accredited Biology major

Student looking at small test tube © University of Canterbury 2017

Student benefits

Greater employability prospects and enhanced competitiveness in a global jobs market

The Accreditation programme establishes a profile of key skills that bioscience employers can recognise in graduates from accredited degrees. Students are able to provide tangible examples (i.e. taught, assessed and carried out in practice) of their skills (e.g.in the laboratory, team working etc.).

Professional body Accreditation of their degree

Students can be confident that the degree they are choosing is of a high standard and has been assessed and enhanced by the Accreditation process. The RSB bases Accreditation on a set of wide ranging criteria, meaning students will be aware of not only the technical skills and knowledge gained in their course, but also the transferable skills such as teamwork, communication and entrepreneurship.

Free membership/ registration to the RSB

Graduates are entitled to a free year of membership to the Society. This will enable access to a significant network of bioscience professionals, making it easier to stay up-to-date with biology related developments (e.g. via the free weekly bulletin of key discoveries, initiatives and policies worldwide) and provide graduates with additional recognition of their skills and experiences. This is extremely beneficial to graduates, particularly at a time when they are applying for their first employment. Membership of the Society gives students and graduates a feeling of belonging to a wide community of biologists, interested in biology for its own sake but also to contribute their knowledge and skills to help meet world challenges.

The Biological Sciences major in the BSc degree has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) in the UK, the first in NZ to be internationally recognised in this way!

Graduates from Accredited programmes are equipped with well-rounded knowledge and skills, making them highly employable both within and beyond their chosen field.

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting in part the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).

Advantages of Accreditation:

Academic achievement recognised
Improved standards of learning and teaching in the biosciences
Students can be confident about their chosen course of study
Enhanced competitiveness of graduates in a global jobs market
Employers assured of the level of employability skills and subject relevant bioscience skills provided by the degree
Provides an international mark of “good practice” allowing wide ranging comparability among high performing institutions

Quality assured through international review

Biological Sciences encompasses a set of experimental subjects, which require a hands-on approach to learning.

Our accredited degree incorporates learning outcomes associated with key skills in laboratory and fieldwork thereby providing a high standard of competence in graduates.

Transferable graduate skills such as communication, problem solving and team working are integral to the degree.

Biologists must be equipped with the skills necessary for self-learning and the ability to apply basic principles of maths, chemistry, physics and information technology to their learning and career.

These are taught and assessed at all levels, providing a gradual development of ability and self-confidence in students, culminating at graduation. Students are encouraged and supported to develop their creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Accredited degrees are highly regarded by employers as well as within the learning and teaching community. Accredited programmes are delivered by subject experts and produce graduates who will excel in their chosen field.

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.