Stage 1 courses

Seven 15-point courses offered at Stage I provide an introduction to the biological sciences. Students intending to major in Biological Sciences are required to have taken 4 Stage I Biology courses (including BIOSCI 101), in order to have an appropriate foundation in molecular biology, plant and animal biology and ecology.

The courses BIOSCI 101/102/103/104 provide the most suitable combination for students interested in whole organism biology, while courses BIOSCI 101, 102 or 103, 106 and 107 offer the best choice for students who prefer the more molecular/genetic aspects of biology. You can select more than four biological courses, thus allowing you to keep the full range of biology open.

Students wishing to enter into the Biomedical Science programme should take BIOSCI 101, 106, 107 and either BIOSCI 102 or BIOSCI 103 as their elective, plus CHEM 110, PHYSICS 160 and MEDSCI 142. This combination of courses will allow students who do not get selected into the Honours programme to continue with a BSc in Biological Sciences.

To be considered for entry into Medicine, students must take POPLHLTH 111 as their elective. It is important to gain further information from sources listed below when planning your degree programme, as entry to second- and third-year courses is based both on academic merit and successful completion of specified first-year courses.

Check the schedule for prerequisites in the Calendar.

We strongly advise all Biological Sciences students to take at least one Stage I Chemistry course. Preferably students should have taken Biology at least to NCEA Level 2 and have a background in other science subjects.

Students enrolling in limited entry courses will be considered in rank order according to their best 80 credits at NCEA Level 3 or higher (or equivalent) over a maximum of five approved subjects, weighted by the level of achievement attained in each set of credits.

(15 Points) (online delivery) Semester Two

This course offers a general introduction to Antarctica and its environs, including the Southern Ocean and the sub-Antarctic islands. Emphasis will be placed on the evolution of Antarctica and how resident plants, animals and microorganisms are adapted to cope with the extreme environment.

Specific topics to be addressed include the history of Antarctic exploration and its impact on the development of Antarctic science, Antarctic ecosystems, Antarctica as a wilderness region and the impact of humans, including the exploitation of resources and the effects of pollution. This course is suitable for students with both science and non-science backgrounds.

Weekly tutorials will be held Monday and Thursday 5-6pm.

Course coordinator: To be advised.
Assessment: Incourse 60% (test 20%, Assignments 40%, Online quizzes, Peerwise), Examination 40%.
Recommended textbook: D. McGonigal. Antarctica: Secrets of the Southern Continent. Simon & Schuster.

See also www.antarctica.org.nz

(15 Points) (City) Semester One

This course offers an introduction to the structures and processes which are common to micro-organisms, animals and plants at the cellular, molecular and biochemical levels. Other topics are genetic principles and processes and an overview of evolution and evolutionary concepts.

This course includes guest lectures given by graduate students in research fields relevant to course content. This course assumes a knowledge of NCEA Level 3 Biology and at least NCEA Level 2 Chemistry.

Course coordinator: Ms Amanda Harper.
Assessment: Incourse 60%, (Theory 40%, Practical 20%), Examination 40%.
Prescribed textbook: Campbell's Biology, Reece et al. (2011) 9th Edn., (Pearson Benjamin Cummings).
 

(15 Points) (City) Semester Two

A multi-disciplinary approach is taken to studying the relationships between plants, microbes and humans. The course begins with an introduction to the key characteristics of plants and microbes and demonstrates how they are used for food and pharmaceuticals. The impact of plants and microbes on human health, as well as their role in a variety of industrial and biotechnological processes will be highlighted.

Course coordinator: Mr David Seldon.
Assessment: Incourse 60%, (Theory 40%, Practical 20%), Examination 40%.
Recommended textbook: Campbell's Biology, Reece et al. (2011) 9th Edn., (Pearson Benjamin Cummings).

(15 Points) (City) Semester Two

A comparative approach to the study of animals focusing on the processes which underlie and unite all animal life. Emphasis will be placed on evolutionary relationships and history, and on the relationship between form and function and the predictability of animal design. Reference will be made to the New Zealand fauna and to other animals of economic or evolutionary importance where appropriate. The practical component of this course involves animal dissection. This is an essential part of the course. No exemptions are possible.

Course coordinator: Dr Brendon Dunphy
Assessment: Incourse 60% (Theory 40%, Practical 20%), Examination 40%
Prescribed textbook: Campbell's Biology, Reece et al. (2011) 9th Edn., (Pearson Benjamin Cummings)

(15 Points, City) Semester One

An introduction to the diversity of animals and plants in New Zealand including endemic, native and introduced species; biogeographical and evolutionary relationships; community structure and inter-relationships; behaviour and ecology; Maori perspectives in biology; and current conservation, environmental, social, animal welfare, and economic issues relevant to New Zealand biology.

Course coordinator: Dr Rochelle Constantine.
Assessment: Incourse 60% (Theory 40%, Practical 20%), Examination 40%.
Prescribed textbook: Parsons et al., Biology Aotearoa, 2006, Pearson Education New Zealand.
Recommended textbook: Campbell's Biology, Reece et al. (2011) 9th Edn., (Pearson Benjamin Cummings).
Field trip: Two compulsory field trips. Either 17 or 18 March and either 28 or 29 April (Rangitoto).

(15 Points) (City) Semester Two

This course will consider biochemical reactions as essential elements of life processes. Material covered includes: the molecular structure and action of proteins, the synthesis and metabolism of carbohydrates and fats in the fed and starved states, and elements of enzymology, energetics, metabolism, nutrition and hormonal control in health, physical performance and disease. Reference will be made to specifi c biomedical examples where appropriate. This is a limited entry course. Students are strongly advised to complete BIOSCI 101 and CHEM 110 before enrolling in BIOSCI 106.

Course coordinator: Mrs Libby Hitchings.
Assessment: Incourse 60%, (Theory 40%, Practical 20%), Examination 40%.
Recommended textbook: Campbell, M.K., Farrel, S.O., Biochemistry, 6th edition, Thomson.
 

(15 Points) (City) Semester One

The cellular and tissue level basis of mammalian form and function. Special emphasis on cellular structure and processes including membrane transport, muscle types and function, blood and the immune response, and basic neurobiology. Selected topics in human and experimental embryology will also be covered. Practical component includes labs on cell histology, human embryology and muscle physiology. This is a limited-entry course that assumes knowledge of NCEA Level 3 Biology and at least NCEA Level 2 Chemistry.

Course coordinator: Dr Mel Collings.
Assessment: Incourse 60% (Theory 40%, Practical 20%), Examination: 40%.
Prescribed textbook: Tortora, G. and B. Derrickson, Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 12th edition, Wiley.
Recommended textbook: Campbell's Biology, Reece et al. (2011) 9th Edn., (Pearson Benjamin Cummings).