Bachelor of Science Subjects and Courses

A Bachelor of Science (BSc) is about understanding and improving the natural world through observation, experimentation, modelling, and calculation.



As a BSc student, you’ll investigate the big issues confronting our planet including climate change, human health and diseases, the global water crisis, food security, environmental protection, and much more. A BSc will expose you to new ideas and technologies, develop your research skills, and help you make a real contribution to the challenges facing our world.

Subjects and courses

The Bachelor of Science is a highly flexible degree that allows a wide range of choices from major and minor subjects, as well as courses from other degrees.

To graduate with a Bachelor of Science you must complete the requirements of at least one major subject, and can also choose to specialise in a minor subject.

When choosing your first-year courses, you should allow for more than one potential major subject. Check the 100-level requirements for your potential majors as some require more than two 100-level courses, or enrolment in a complementary subject such as Mathematics.

See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.

Compulsory course

All students in the BSc must complete SCIE 101 Science, Society and Me in their first year.

Major subjects

  • Astronomy
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Sciences
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Environmental Science
  • Finance
  • Financial Engineering
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Linguistics
  • Mathematics
  • Medicinal Chemistry
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Psychology
  • Statistics

Minor subjects

You may also choose to complete one of the following in your degree:



  • Accounting
  • Adventure Sport and Environment
  • Anthropology
  • Art History and Theory
  • Astronomy
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Sciences
  • Business and Sustainability
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese
  • Cinema Studies
  • Classics
  • Computer Science
  • Cultural Studies
  • Digital Humanities
  • Economics
  • Education
  • English
  • English Language
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Science
  • European and European Union Studies
  • Finance
  • French
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • German
  • History
  • Human Resource Management
  • Human Services
  • Information Systems
  • Innovation
  • International Business
  • Japanese
  • Linguistics
  • Māori and Indigenous Studies
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Media and Communication
  • Music
  • Nutrition
  • Operations and Supply Chain Management
  • Performance Analysis
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science and International Relations
  • Professional and Community Engagement
  • Psychology
  • Russian
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Sport Science
  • Statistics
  • Strength and Conditioning
  • Taxation
  • Te Reo Māori
  • Tourism Marketing and Management
  • Youth and Community Leadership

Other subjects



Some courses from these science-related subjects can also count towards your BSc:

  • Accounting
  • Antarctic Studies
  • Engineering
  • Forestry
  • Health Sciences
  • Science, Māori and Indigenous Knowledge
  • Soil Science
  • Speech and Language Pathology
  • Water Resource Management