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Study Biochemistry at Otago

• Overview
• Qualifications
• Papers
• Major Subject and Programme Requirements
• Minor Subject Requirements
• Further Information

Overview

Biochemistry combines the molecular approach of chemistry with the breadth and diversity of biology. Very much a laboratory science, it explores, unravels and explains every aspect of the structure and function of all living things at the molecular level.

Biochemistry continues to advance our understanding of how cells are constructed, how they function and communicate with each other, how genetic information is stored, expressed and passed on to the next generation and how all of the cell's chemistry is co-ordinated and controlled. Because it covers the spectrum of complexity from bacteria, yeasts and viruses to humans, and includes plants, Biochemistry underpins other life sciences such as Microbiology, Physiology, Zoology and Botany as well as being a foundation subject for all the Health Sciences.

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Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (BSc)
• Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
• Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
• Master of Science (MSc)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Papers

See the full list of Biochemistry (BIOC) papers.

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Programme Requirements

Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Biochemistry

Level	Papers	Points
100-level	BIOC 192 CELS 191 CHEM 191 At least one of BIOL 112, BIOL 113, HUBS 191, HUBS 192 CHEM 111 (recommended)	18 18 18 18 18
200-level	BIOC 221 BIOC 222 BIOC 223 GENE 221 (recommended)	18 18 18 18
300-level	BIOC 351 BIOC 352 BIOC 353 At least 18 points from BIOC 354, BIOC 355, GENE 311, GENE 313, GENE314, PLBI 301, or another approved 300-level paper	18 18 18   18
Plus	126 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science	126
Total		360

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Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Biochemistry

Stage	Papers	Points
1st stage	BIOC 192 CELS 191 CHEM 191 One of BIOL 112, BIOL 113, HUBS 191, HUBS 192 CHEM 111 (recommended) 36 further points	18 18 18 18 18 36
2nd stage	BIOC 221 BIOC 222 BIOC 223 GENE 221 (recommended) 36 further 200-level points 18 further points	18 18 18 18 36 18
3rd stage	BIOC 351 BIOC 352 BIOC 353 BIOC 354 BIOC 360 36 further approved points at 200-level or above	18 18 18 18 18 36
4th stage	BIOC 490 BIOC 451 BIOC 452 BIOC 453 BIOC 454	48 24 24 24 24
	There is no second stage Honours course in this subject; admission to the Honours programme is normally at third stage (after passing a total of 252 points, including at least 108 points above 100-level, in the first and second years of study).

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Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Biochemistry

Papers
BIOC 480 BIOC 451, BIOC 452, BIOC 453, BIOC 454
Note: With the approval of the Head of Department or Programme Director concerned, a 48 point dissertation or project may be substituted for any project of fewer points prescribed in the table above.

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Master of Science (MSc) in Biochemistry

Papers
BIOC 495 and BIOC 451, BIOC 452, BIOC 453, BIOC 454. BIOC 5 (thesis)

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Minor Subject Requirements

Biochemistry as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) or Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree

Level	Papers	Points
100-level	BIOC 192	18
200-level	Two of BIOC 221, BIOC 222, BIOC 223	36
300-level	Two 300-level BIOC papers	36
	Prerequisite for BIOC 192 is CHEM 191; prerequisites for BIOC 221-223 include CELS 191
Total		90

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Further Information

Email us at biochemistry@otago.ac.nz or visit our home page http://www.otago.ac.nz/biochemistry