Bachelor of Science
BSc
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Bachelor of Science with Honours
- Master of Science
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Bachelor of Science with Honours
- Master of Science
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Overview
A Bachelor of Science (BSc) is about understanding and improving the natural world through observation, experimentation, modelling, and calculation.
UC is ranked in the top 100 universities in the world for Linguistics; in the top 150 for Geography, and Earth and Marine Sciences; in the top 200 for Environmental Sciences; and in the top 250 for Psychology, and Physics and Astronomy. UC is also ranked 223rd in the world for Natural Sciences (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020).
UC is also ranked first in Aotearoa New Zealand for research in Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour (Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua | Tertiary Education Commission 2018 PBRF assessment).
UC is the only university in Aotearoa to offer Astronomy at all levels of study, and operates an internationally important astronomical observatory at Ōtehīwai Mt John in Takapō Tekapo. UC will also play a major role in the Ōtautahi Christchurch Aerospace Strategic Plan, which aims to make the city the centre of Aotearoa New Zealand's aerospace technology sector by 2025.
The School of Earth and Environment | Te Kura Aronukurangi is leading the world in its studies of earthquakes.
- 19 major Science subjects on offer and over 30 subject choices available in total.
- Flexible three-year degree.
- Students benefit from cutting-edge research undertaken by UC staff, visiting international scholars, and the many research centres and institutes based at UC.
- The unique network of field stations from Antarctica to Nigeria offer amazing active learning opportunities.
- Award-winning lecturers have been acknowledged both nationally and internationally for their teaching and research.
- $216 million investment in state-of-the-art UC Science facilities through the Rutherford Regional Science and Innovation Centre.
Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.
Students with English as an additional language are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
For information on gaining admission to UC please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.
Recommended preparation
Provided you have entry to the University, all Science subjects can be started in the first year. However, previous study is recommended for many Science subjects, in particular Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. Some of these courses have entry requirements.
If you have not studied one or more of the required subjects, or did not achieve enough credits, but have University Entrance, you may consider taking a Headstart preparatory course or a summer catch-up course.
You may be able to fast-track your degree and gain direct entry to the second year if you have excellent Year 13 results or a New Zealand Certificate in Science with outstanding merit. Please contact the College of Science | Te Rāngai Pūtaiao Student Advisor to discuss this.
Typical degree structure for Bachelor of Science
-
Compulsory course
-
Science major courses
-
Other Science courses
-
Courses from Science or other degrees
Students should allow for more than one potential major subject. Students should check the 100-level requirements for their potential majors as some majors require more than two 100-level courses, or enrolment in a complementary subject such as Mathematics.
Each small block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points (or more).
For full course requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Science.
The Bachelor of Science requires a minimum total of 360 points:
- a compulsory 15-point Science course
- a minimum of 255 points of Science courses
- the remaining 90 points can be from either Science courses or courses from other degrees.
At least 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level.
The degree takes 3 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 10 years.
For study planning help, contact the UC Liaison Office | Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC (new students) or a College of Science | Te Rāngai Pūtaiao Student Advisor (advancing students).
Majors and minors
Students have the option of completing either:
- a major
- a major and a minor
- two majors (a double major)
Each major has specific course requirements, but all consist of a minimum 165 points, with at least 45 points at 200-level and at least 60 points at 300-level.
BSc students may also chose to complete a minor subject in their degree. A minor consists of a minimum of 75 points, including at least 45 points above 100-level, in a single subject chosen from the Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, or Bachelor of Sport Coaching.
Students completing the Biological Sciences major can also choose from three endorsement subjects to focus their studies on a particular field, such as agriculture or genetics.
Double degrees
Many students combine the study of a BSc with another degree, such as a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, or Bachelor of Laws.
Find out more information about Double degrees.
Conjoint degrees
Students can study the Conjoint Bachelor of Product Design and Science or the Conjoint Bachelor of Commerce and Science, which requires 60 points less than a double degree and will be completed in four years in an intensive format.
For example, students may want to study the Chemical, Natural and Healthcare Product Formulation BProdDesign major with the Biochemistry BSc major, or the Management BCom major with the Psychology BSc major.
Contact a Student Advisor from each relevant College or School for course planning advice.
The Bachelor of Science is a highly flexible degree that allows a wide range of choices from major, minor, and endorsement subjects, as well as courses from subjects within other degrees.
See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.
Compulsory course
All students in the BSc must complete SCIE 101 Science, Society and Me in their first year.
Major and minor Science subjects
To graduate with a Bachelor of Science you must complete the requirements of at least one major subject, and can also choose to specialise in a minor subject:
You can also choose to do a minor from subject options in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, or Bachelor of Sport Coaching. See the degree webpages for the list of available minor subjects.
When choosing your first-year courses, you should allow for more than one potential major subject. Check the 100-level requirements for your potential majors as some require more than two 100-level courses, or enrolment in a complementary subject such as Mathematics.
Endorsements
For students within the Biological Sciences major, an endorsement can be added to your studies to follow a particular focus in a field of biology, such as agriculture or genetics.
Other subjects
Some courses from these science-related subjects can also count towards your BSc:
Bachelor of Science with Honours
If you have achieved top grades during your Bachelor of Science, you may be permitted to enter the BSc(Hons), which is an accelerated 12-month postgraduate degree.
Graduate and postgraduate qualifications:
- Graduate Diploma in Science
- Bachelor of Science with Honours
- Postgraduate Certificate in Antarctic Studies
- Postgraduate Certificate in Geospatial Science and Technology
- Postgraduate Certificate in Science
- Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Data Science
- Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology
- Postgraduate Diploma in Geographic Information Science
- Postgraduate Diploma in Geospatial Science and Technology
- Postgraduate Diploma in Science
- Postgraduate Diploma of Water Resource Management
- Master of Antarctic Studies
- Master of Applied Data Science
- Master of Audiology
- Master of Disaster Risk and Resilience
- Master of Financial Engineering
- Master of Geographic Information Science
- Master of Science
- Master of Speech and Language Pathology
- Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal
- Master of Water Resource Management
- Professional Master of Engineering Geology
- Professional Master of Geospatial Science and Technology
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
A BSc sets you up to pursue a wide range of careers all over the world – from marine biologist to market analyst, psychologist to policy advisor, seismologist to aerospace engineer, and much more. It can open doors to many other careers, including business, politics, medicine, finance, and engineering. With a BSc, anything is possible.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2020 | 360 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $6,213 - $7,202 per 120 points |
| 2020 | 360 | Data Science; Linguistics; Philosophy (Band 1) | $6,213 per 120 points |
| 2020 | 360 | Economics; Finance (Band 2) | $6,576 per 120 points |
| 2020 | 360 | Computer Science; Financial Engineering; Geography; Psychology (Band 3) | $6,939 per 120 points |
| 2020 | 360 | Astronomy; Biochemistry; Biological Sciences; Chemistry; Environmental Science; Geology; Medicinal Chemistry; Physics (Band 4) | $7,202 per 120 points |
| 2020 | 360 | Mathematics; Statistics (Band 9) | $6,237 per 120 points |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2020 | 360 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $35,250 (first 120 points) |
Contact us
For study planning help, contact the UC Liaison Office | Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC (new students) or a College of Science | Te Rāngai Pūtaiao Student Advisor (advancing students).
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Science. For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see the College of Science | Te Rāngai Pūtaiao.