Intercalating at Canterbury
Welcome to Canterbury
The broad base of biology taught at UC enables us to offer intercalating students (a gap year for medical and vet students) something different.
Not only will you gain a Graduate Diploma in Science in topics such as biochemistry, microbiology and animal physiology, but you have the freedom to add exciting courses such as Antarctic studies; Science, Maori and Indigenous Knowledge; and Exercise and Health. You will also be able to consider courses in other disciplines such as psychology and communication disorders.
Practical skills, both lab and field, now so important for scientists, are taught as an integral part of many of our courses. These skills backup the theory taught in lectures.
UC has fantastic links to the South Island environment through a network of field stations, and is also close to the culture and arts of Christchurch city.
You will find our courses exciting, challenging, and up-to-the minute as our lecturers are all actively engaged in research in some aspect of the Biological Sciences.
Professor Paula Jameson, Head of School.
UC has Broad-based Teaching in Biology
Staff and research students in the School are engaged in research in three areas of biology that are vital to humankind:
- Biodiversity– defining, sustaining and rehabilitating the diversity of life contained in New Zealand and international natural and managed ecosystems.
- Biosecurity/Biosafety – protecting native biota from threats imposed by invasive organisms; understanding the potential impacts of genetic technologies on our environment.
- Biotechnology – the application of biological understanding to provide products that benefit society and support sustainable economic development.
We offer over 40 undergraduate courses in biology and biochemistry. They are taught by 30 academic staff who have expertise in diverse areas of biology ranging from genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology to ecology, conservation biology and biotechnology.
Biology courses also support multidisciplinary studies such as Health Studies, Environmental Science, Biosecurity, Conservation Biology and Management and Antarctic Studies —Biology at UC offers something for everyone!
Your entry to study in biological sciences will be through our Graduate Diploma in Sciences. Full details for international admission.
Hands-On Courses
Many of our courses include a substantial lab component which is designed to give you the practical skills required for working in a lab or clinical environment.
Explore New Zealand
Christchurch offers a fantastic base from which to explore everything New Zealand has to offer from hiking to heliskiing, mountain biking to bungy jumping. Courses run in spring and autumn semesters, providing students with a summer break to indulge in adventure or more leisurely activities.
Watch Univeristy of Canterbury YouTube channel.
How to Plan Your Intercalating Year
Provided students have passed the first three years of their medical studies they are eligible to enrol in a Graduate Diploma in Science (Biological Sciences).
Graduate Diploma Students take courses from the BSc schedule specified by the Head of School and are required to pass courses totalling not fewer than 146 points including 84 points at 300-level. The diploma is one year, full-time.
Below are listed courses that are most likely to be of interest to you, for the full list of courses that are on offer see the School/Departmental website links below.
Spring Semester (July - November)
100 Level
SCIM 101 Science, Maori and Indigenous
Knowledge
ASTR 109 The Cosmos: Birth and Evolution
ANTA 103 Antarctic Studies: Life in the Cold
200 Level
BIOL 210 Vertebrate Biology
BIOL 251 Exercise and Health
BCHM 281 Practical Biochemistry
BIOL 272 Principles of Animal Behaviour
300 Level
BCHM 381 Biochemical Techniques
BIOL 309 Experimental Design and Data
Analysis for Biologists
BIOL 313 Advanced Microbiology
BIOL 332 Genetics and Evolution of Invasive Species
BIOL 351 Cell Biology 2
BIOL 354 Animal Ecophysiology
CMDS 262 Neurosciences
CMDS 369 Aphasia and Related Disorders
Autumn Semester (February - June)
100 Level
BIOL 113 Diversity of Life
BIOL 111 Cellular Biology and Biochemistry
PSYC 105 Introductory Psychology - Brain,
Behaviour and Cognition
200 Level
BIOL 209 Introduction to Biological Data Analysis
BIOL 212 Marine Biology and Ecology
BIOL 213 Microbiology and Genetics
BIOL 231 Foundations in Molecular Biology
BIOL 250 Principles of Animal Physiology
BIOL 271 Evolution
BIOL 273 New Zealand Biodiversity and Biosecurity
BCHM 221 Biochemistry A - Biomolecules and their Interactions
BCHM 222 Biochemistry B - Metabolism; The reactions of Molecules in
300 Level
BIOL 330 Advanced Concepts in Genetics
BIOL 377 Global Change and Biosecurity
PSYC 333 Biological Psychology
All Courses Listed by School/Department
- Biological Sciences and Biochemistry Courses
- Antarctic Studies Courses
- Communication Disorders Courses
- Psychology Courses
Subjects list A-Z for whole of UC
Contact Us
Our International Student Advisor, Prof Bill Davison is available to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have. Email: bill.davison@canterbury.ac.nz