Studying Cell Biology at Canterbury
Cell biology is the science of the living cell. Cell theory, developed in the 1800s, states that all organisms are composed of one or more cells, that cells are the smallest living units of all living organisms, and that cells arise only by division of a previously existing cell. Recent decades have seen stunning advances in the study of cell biology as a range of different imaging, biochemical and molecular techniques have been used to investigate how cells work, and how cells interact with other cells.
Career paths
Cell biologists have many career options. They are employed by in Universities, biotechnology companies and Crown research institutes (e.g. AgResearch, Plant & Food Research). Many cell biologists also work in the medical sciences, either as researchers or in the pharmaceutical industry.
Postgraduate
BSc (Hons) - Students complete a fourth year of study
comprising four 400-level papers and a research project.
PGDipSc - Students complete a fourth year of study comprising
four 400-level papers.
MSc - Students complete a fourth year of study comprising
four 400-level papers (part I), then proceed to a research project (part
II), written up as a thesis.
PhD - Students complete a 3-4 year research project written
up as a thesis. Entry is after successful completion of either BSc(Hons)
or an MSc.
Planning Your Degree
Below is a guide to help you select courses that will give you a well rounded degree in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics.
Year 1
Essential
BIOL
111 Cellular Biology & Biochemistry
BIOL
112 Ecology, Evolution & Conservation
BIOL
113 Diversity of Life
CHEM 112 General Chemistry B *
MATH 101 Methods of Mathematics **
* Unless
you have 9 NCEA level 3 credits in chemistry
it is essential that you take a CHEM 114 before
CHEM 111 and CHEM 112.
** Note: Unless you have good NCEA level 3 credits
in maths, it is essential that you take a minimum
of 15 points in MATH (MATH101).
Recommended
STAT 101 Statistics 1***
CHEM
111 General Chemistry A*
*** Biology majors are required to take BIOL
209 Introduction to Biological Data Analysis (or
equivalent preparation e.g. STAT 201, PSYC 206).
Entry to this course does not require STAT 101,
but if you haven’t done maths or stats at level
12 or 13, then think about doing STAT 101 in your
first year.
Optional
SCIM
101 Science, Maori and Indigenous Knowledge
Year 2
Essential
BIOL
209 Introduction to Biological Data Analysis
BIOL
231 Foundations in Molecular Biology
BIOL 253 Cell Biology 1
BCHM 221 Biochemistry A- Biomolecules
and their interactions
BCHM 222 Biochemistry B - Metabolism; the
reactions of molecules in cells
Recommended
At least 30 points from:
BIOL
213 Microbiology and Genetics
BIOL
250 Principles of Animal Physiology
BIOL 251 Exercise and Health
BIOL 254 Plant Developmental Biology
BIOL 255 Plant Ecophysiology
BCHM 281 Practical Biochemistry
Year 3
Essential
BIOL 351 Cell Biology 2
BCHM 301 Biochemistry 3
Recommended
At least 30 points from:
BIOL 309 Experimental Design and Data
Analysis for Biologists §
BIOL 313 Advanced Microbiology
BIOL 330 Advanced Concepts in Genetics
BIOL 352 Plant Development and
Biotechnology
BIOL 354 Animal Ecophysiology
BIOL 355 Neurons, Hormones and
Behaviour
BCHM 381 Biochemical Techniques
§ Note students wishing to progress to 4th year in any Biology major are expected to have taken BIOL 309.