Bachelor of Science (Technology)
The Bachelor of Science (Technology) degree provides you with an opportunity to gain practical, relevant work experience as part of your undergraduate degree. This will help you to step into the professional world in your chosen career and successfully integrates theoretical learning with hands-on experience.
The BSc(Tech) is a flexible degree, designed to provide you with the necessary practical experience to stand out among other science graduates.
It is internationally recognised, meaning you can find work anywhere in the world. A high percentage of graduates actively seeking employment find it within six months of graduating.
This degree includes 10 weeks of relevant work experience. The Cooperative Education Unit assists in matching students with placement opportunities, and offering reflective learning and skill development after the placements are completed. Students are regularly offered permanent roles following their placements.
Heading into the workplace with a BSc(Tech) from Waikato means you'll have spent the summer between your second and third years gaining relevant work experience and, in most cases, being paid for your efforts.
To prepare you for the workplace and gain an understanding of how the business world works, the BSc(Tech) includes a workplace preparation paper prior to starting the work placement in addition to a wide variety of science papers.
The first year of the degree is similar to the BSc, enabling you to explore a range of scientific disciplines, broaden your opportunities and lay a foundation for you to build on, even if you haven't studied science before.
From second year your major will form the core of your degree and give you a much deeper understanding of a particular discipline. Minor subjects enable you to design a tailored programme that helps you differentiate yourself and ensure you have a unique skill set.
Our science minors will give you a taste of a complimentary discipline to broaden your knowledge and demonstrate the breadth of your scientific skills. Alternatively, select a minor from a supporting non-science discipline to show employers you can apply yourself in a range of fields.
Facilities
The University of Waikato’s School of Science is home to a suite of well-equipped laboratories. Most science papers include weekly laboratory sessions, giving you the chance to put what you’ve learnt in lectures and tutorials into practice. Our undergraduate students also have the opportunity to use complex research equipment and techniques, such as NMR spectroscopy and DNA sequencing.
Key information
| Years: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Points: | 360 |
| Study Locations: | Hamilton |
| Start Dates: | Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July) |
| Estimated Fees* (Domestic): |
$7,608 per year
See if you're eligible for fees-free study in your first year |
| Estimated Fees* (International): | $36,480 per year |
| Entry Requirements: | Undergraduate International |
| Area of Study: | |
| *Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. | |
Degree Planner
Degree planner — Bachelor of Science (Technology) BSc(Tech) Overview
Waikato’s Bachelor of Science (Technology) (BSc(Tech)) was the first degree of its kind in New Zealand, and offers a unique, job-oriented approach to scientific study.
If no point value is listed, papers are worth 15 points. This structure applies to study starting in 2021.
Year 1
100 level
Major
100 level
Major
One from List A:
Science Fundamentals
One from List A:
Science Fundamentals
One from List A:
Science Fundamentals
One from List C:
Science Numeracy
Elective
Elective
Year 2
200 level
Major
200 level
Major
200 level
Major
200 level
Major
One from List C:
Science Numeracy
Elective
Elective
Year 3
300 level
Major
300 level
Major
300 level
Major
Elective
Elective
- Major
- Compulsory
- Elective
- Placement
BSc(Tech) Papers
Lists A and C
List A: Science Fundamentals
Choose three papers (45 points) from the following:
- APHYS111 Physics in Context
- BIOEB101 Concepts of Biology
- BIOEB102 Introduction to Ecology and Biodiversity
- BIOMO101 Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology
- BIOMD101 Introduction to Human Biology
- CHEMY100 Chemistry in Context
- CHEMY101 Structure and Spectroscopy
- CHEMY102 Chemical Reactivity
- CLIMT101 Introduction to Climate Change
- EARTH101 Introduction to Earth System Sciences
- EARTH102 Discovering Planet Earth
- ENGEN111 Electricity and Electronics
- ENGEN112 Materials Science and Engineering
- ENGEN180 Foundations of Engineering
- ENVSC101 Environmental Science
- PHYSC100 General Physics
List C: Science Numeracy
Choose two papers (30 points) from the following:
- COMPX101 Introduction to Programming
or COMPX102 Object-Oriented Programming
or ENGEN103 Engineering Computing - MATHS101 Introduction to Calculus
or ENGEN101 Engineering Mathematics 1A - MATHS102 Introduction to Algebra
or ENGEN102 Engineering Mathematics 1B - MATHS135 Discrete Structures
- MATHS165 General Mathematics
- MATHS168 Preparatory Mathematics
- PHYSC100 General Physics
or PHYSC101 Physics for Engineers and Scientists
or ENGEN110 Engineering Mechanics - DATAX111 Statistics for Science
or DATAX121 Introduction to Statistical Methods - CHEMY202 Physical Chemistry
or CHEMY204 Analytical Chemistry - COMPX201 Data Structures and Algorithms
or COMPX202 Mobile Computing and Software Architecture
or COMPX223 Database Practice and Experience
or COMPX241 Software Engineering Development
or COMPX242 Software Engineering Process
or CSMAX101 The World of Data - ENGEN201 Engineering Mathematics 2
- Any 200-level MATHS paper
- Any 200-level DATAX paper
Choose a major
Recommended minors
- Animal Behaviour
- Applied Physics
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Coastal Processes
- Computer Science
- Ecology and Biodiversity
- Environmental Sciences
- Geology
- Hydrology
- Materials Science
- Mathematics
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Soil Science
- Statistics
Or undertake a minor in any other subject within the University.
Career opportunities
- Conservation Biologist
- Microbiologist
- Conservation Ranger
- Environmental Scientist
- Forensic Technician
- Geologist
- Geotechnical Officer
- Laboratory Technician
- Marine Ecologist
Entry requirements
If you have achieved University Entrance through NCEA you will be accepted into this degree.
If you have achieved University Entrance through NCEA you will be accepted into this degree.
Discretionary Entrance
Applicants will normally be granted Discretionary Entrance if they have gained a total of at least 80 credits in NCEA at Level 2 in four subjects equivalent to the approved subjects for University Entrance in NCEA at Level 3, with a minimum grade of Merit in at least half of the achievement standards for each subject. Applicants must also have satisfied the numeracy and literacy requirements of University Entrance.
Applications must be supported by the applicant’s school principal or a University Student Recruitment Adviser.
Special Admission
Applicants will be considered on a case by case basis. Applicants 20 years old and over by the beginning of their programme of study will be accepted, except those that are clearly insufficiently prepared for academic study. Preference may be given to applicants who have successfully completed appropriate University of Waikato College bridging programmes.
Admission at entrance level or with credit from previous study
Applicants will be considered on a case by case basis bearing in mind patterns of admission which have applied in previous years and the standing of the qualification in New Zealand.
Pathways
Individual papers may require previous experience in this subject. However, there may be other pathways that you can take to study in this field. Please seek advice from the School of Science.
Scholarships and prizes
Selected scholarships for BSc(Tech) students.
New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.
Anne Shannon Scholarship Accepting applications
For students who are enrolled in their second year of full-time study (120 points) in either a BSc or BSc(Tech) majoring in Ecology & Biodiversity or Molecular & Cellular Biology. Applicants must be enrolled in at least 60 points of papers coded BIOEBxxx or BIOMOxxx.
Closing Date: 15 June 2023
Computer Science Undergraduate Scholarship Accepting applications
For students who are currently in Year 12 or Year 13 at a New Zealand secondary school. Candidates must be intending to enrol full-time in either the BCompSc, BSc majoring in Computer Science, or BE(Hons) majoring in Software Engineering.
Closing Date: 15 September 2023
Waikato Graduate Women Educational Trust Dame Jocelyn Fish Award Not currently accepting applications
To assist women students who have been New Zealand Citizens or permanent residents for at least 2 years, and are enrolled full-time in the second year or above of a first degree, majoring in a non-traditional field for women (e.g. computer science, engineering).
Looking for more scholarships?
Practical experience
Work placements are a major feature of the BSc(Tech) and you will complete 400 hours of relevant work experience during your degree.
Work placements are a major feature of the BSc(Tech) and you will complete 400 hours of relevant work experience during your degree.
Our Work Integrated Learning Team actively seeks and oversees your industrial work placement, ensuring a good fit for your area of study and career goals, and monitoring the quality of your work experience. They are the leader in New Zealand for co-operative education programmes, with an average 250 students placed in industry every year.
By the time you graduate you will have the credibility of paid experience to take to your interviews.
Contacts
Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.
Student Centre
Phone: 0800 WAIKATO (0800 924 528) or 07 838 4176
Email: [email protected]
Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.
Phone: +64 7 8384610
Email: [email protected]