Postgraduate Students
We are a research-focused School covering all areas of Biology and are one of the leading biological research schools in Australasia.
Our postgraduate degrees help prepare you for a career in biology across a wide range of areas. You will find our courses exciting, challenging, and at the cutting edge. We have a large cohort of new staff, including two Rutherford Discovery Fellows, who bring new ideas and enthusiasm to the school.
Our staff are actively engaged in research, ensuring your projects are relevant and employ the latest methods. We have emerging and established strengths across a wide range of areas including Genetics, Evolution, Ecology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Bioinformatics, Plant Science and Cell Biology.
The School of Biological Sciences has the best field station facilities in the country, a brand new state-of-the-art research building that opened in 2010, and our postgraduate courses are taught by leading national and visiting international researchers. Several of our staff have received Tertiary Teaching Excellence Awards.
At the School of Biological Sciences we offer several postgraduate degree paths:
Bachelor of Science (Honours) – BSc(Hons)
Honours is an intensive one-year programme designed for high achieving students seeking to fast-track to a PhD.
Honours students must take four 400-level courses and a research project.
We recommend this option only for students with an A- average (GPA 7) or higher at 300-level.
Postgraduate Diploma of Science – PgDipSc
The Postgraduate Diploma of Science is a one-year program equivalent to the first year of an MSc. Students take four 400-level courses, but do not carry out research.
The PgDipSc is a great option if you are unsure whether you want to commit to an MSc or if you want to extend your theoretical grounding in biology prior to entering the workforce.
It is common for students enrolled in a PgDipSc to transfer to MSc part II providing they achieve a B average or better in their 400-level courses.
Master of Science - MSc
A Master of Science degree comprises one year of coursework (part I) and a 16 month research project (part II).
The MSc degree provides a solid grounding in the scientific process and provides sought after research skills applicable to a wide range of careers. This degree is also arguably the best route into a PhD because you gain more in-depth research experience than is possible during an Honours degree.
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
The PhD at UC is a research degree that typically requires three, but no more than four years of study. It is the highest academic qualification available at the University. Completing a doctorate is a mark of academic achievement and requires self-discipline and commitment.
A PhD prepares you for an academic or research career and the skills you gain are increasingly sought after in the international job market.
Applying for Postgrad studies – what to do first
- Contact the Fourth Year Course Advisor (Dr Marie Hale, room 430 von Haast) to discuss your course of study and proposed major.
- Apply to enrol online (current UC students). Students new to UC should consult the UC New Students webpage.
- Monitor your email over summer as the Course Advisor may need to contact you.
- Once you have been approved for entry you will receive a letter of offer and fees invoice.
Information For
Courses
- 400
level Biological Sciences Courses
(Entry into all 400-level courses is subject to the approval of the Head of the School of Biological Sciences or their delegated representative). - Biology Postgraduate Handbook (PDF 2.3MB)
Forms
Postgraduate Advisors
 |
Dr Marie Hale - 4th Year Course Advisor |
 |
Assoc Prof. Jon Harding - Chair Postgraduate Studies Committee jon.harding@canterbury.ac.nz Room von Haast 233, Phone 364 2987 ext 4988 |
Postgraduate Studies Committee 2011
Jon Harding (Chair) Ashley Garrill (Deputy Chair) Hazel Chapman, Dave Collings, Jim Briskie
The group will cover the diversity of disciplines in the School and will oversee processing of research proposals for MSc and PhD students; progress reporting; Annual Biology Conference (ABC) and Masters seminar events.
Postgraduate Student Committe Representatives 2011
This year's postgraduate representatives are Jane Andrews and Laura Domigan (MSc candidates) and Jane Gosden, Olivia Burge and Nicole Coufal are our 4th year reps. Brigitta Kurenbach is the PostDoc representative.
Please feel free to contact them to raise any postgraduate student issues, concerns or suggestions. You are more than welcome to drop by their rooms, or get in touch by email.
General Information
- Current PhD Students
- Health and Safety Induction Information
- IT and Graphics Support in Biology
- IT Self Service Help Desk - log your IT related jobs here and someone will be in contact with you to solve it. Also search the knowledge base to solve your own problems.
Resources
- Health & Safety information, including freezers, chemical spills, handwash, autoclave guidelines, annual hazard assessment
- Field Trip forms which must be completed for every trip
- UC Postgraduate Studies website - Information on topics from admission to submission, the best place tor thesis students to get information.
- Advice for thesis students
- UC Library Thesis Guide - Tips for writting and submitting your thesis at UC
- Scholarships
- Think Science - Resources to promote the communication of science.
- Environmental Protection Authority - New Organisms website