Disciplinary Foundation PapersSubject regulations

All of our undergraduate qualifications offer a foundational element to give students a firm grounding in their chosen discipline early on. This foundational element may be a single paper, or it may be a collection of papers. Completing this foundational element is compulsory.

The disciplinary foundation papers are listed here by Division. However, the appropriate paper or papers will depend on which qualification and subjects you are studying. For course planning information, please see a Student Advisor in your Division of study.

Other qualifications

Prescriptions for:

If you are taking a Bachelor of Arts you should include any one of: ARTSC101, ARTSC103, ARTSC105, ENSLA103 or ENSLA202.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Environmental Planning you should include any one of: ARTSC101, ARTSC103, ARTSC105, ARTSC106, or ENSLA103.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Global Studies you should include COMMS101.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Laws or a Bachelor of Laws with Honours you will need to include LEGAL103 and LEGAL104.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Music you should include any one of: ARTSC101, ARTSC103, ARTSC105 or ENSLA103.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Social Sciences you should include any one of: ARTSC101, ARTSC103, ARTSC106, ENSLA103 or ENSLA202.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Social Sciences (studying with the Division of Education) you may include any one of: ARTSC101, ARTSC103, ARTSC106 or ENSLA103.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Teaching you will need TEACH100, TEACH101, TEEDU100, TEEDU101 and TEEDU102.
If you are taking Te Ara Poutama Toitū Te Reo you will need TOITU100, TOITU101, TOITU102, PUTOI100 and PUTOI101.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Health you will need to include HELTH102.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Sport and Human Performance you will need to include HELTH102.
If you are studying a Bachelor of Business you will need to include ECONS101 and STMGT101.
If you are studying a Bachelor of Banking, Finance and Technology you will need to include DIGIB101, FINAN101 and STMGT101.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Social Sciences (studying with Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao - Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies) you will need to include MAORI100.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Applied Computing your programme includes CSMAX175.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Climate Change you will need to take ARTSC106 and CLIMT101.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Computer Science you will need to include CSMAX175.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Design you will need to include DSIGN151.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours you will need to take ENGEN112 and ENGEN180.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Science (Technology) with the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, you will need to include CSMAX175.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Science with the School of Science, you will need to include 45 points from APHYS111, AQCUL101, BIOEB101, BIOEB102, BIOMD101, BIOMO101, CHEMY100, CHEMY101, CHEMY102, CLIMT101, EARTH101, EARTH102, ENGEN111, ENGEN112, ENGEN180, ENVSC101, MARIN101, MARIN102 or PHYSC100.
If you are taking a Bachelor of Science (Technology) with the School of Science, you will need to include 45 points from APHYS111, BIOEB101, BIOEB102, BIOMD101, BIOMO101, CHEMY100, CHEMY101, CHEMY102, CLIMT101, EARTH101, EARTH102, ENGEN111, ENGEN112, ENGEN180, ENVSC101 or PHYSC100.

Disciplinary Foundation Papers papers

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
APHYS111Physics in Context - Ahupūngao o te Ao This is an introductory paper in physics for students who have not studied physics or mathematics at NCEA level 2 or 3. It is intended to support a...	15	25A (Hamilton)
AQCUL101Introduction to Aquaculture - Ahumoana This paper has been designed to introduce you to important aspects of the fastest growing food-producing sector in the world. Aquaculture is one of...	15	25A (Tauranga)
ARTSC103Rights and Reasons Students will develop critical thinking skills by reasoning about human rights. Issues include rights-protection in difficult circumstances, who...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga) & 25B (Hamilton)
ARTSC105Language in Context Language in Context is an essential paper for students of a broad range of disciplines where language and communication are a focus. Students are...	15	25B (Online)
ARTSC106Climate Change and Society This paper is an introduction to critical social science research in Aotearoa New Zealand. It adopts an interdisciplinary approach spanning...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Online)
BIOEB101Concepts of Biology - Ngā Huatau o te Koiora An introduction to the foundations of biology, including the structure and functioning of cells, evolution, the origins and diversity of life, and a...	15	25A (Hamilton)
BIOEB102Introduction to Ecology and Biodiversity - Mātai Hauropi a Kanorau Koiora An introduction to the principles of ecology and biodiversity. Topics include population, community and ecosystem ecology, conservation biology, and...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
BIOMO101Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology - Mātai Pūtau a Mātai Rāpoi Ngota Koiora An introduction to the central concepts of Molecular and Cellular Biology, including the ultrastructure and function of cells, the biochemical...	15	25B (Hamilton)
CHEMY100Chemistry in Context - Matū o te Ao This paper covers a broad range of chemical concepts that are fundamental to the sciences and engineering. A strong emphasis is made to teach...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
CHEMY101Structure and Spectroscopy - Tūramaramatia i ngā Hanganga A theoretical and practical course covering aspects of analytical and inorganic chemistry. This course is required for the chemistry major. He pepa...	15	25A (Hamilton)
CHEMY102Chemical Reactivity - Tauhohehohe Matū A theoretical and practical course covering aspects of physical and organic chemistry. This course is required for the chemistry major. He pepa...	15	25B (Hamilton)
CLIMT101Introduction to Climate Change Science - Pūtaiao Huringa Āhuarangi An overview of the scientific basis of climate change with emphasis on understanding climate change mitigation and adaptation. He tirohanga whānui...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online) & 25A (Secondary School - Unistart)
COMMS101Communication Competencies This paper introduces students to the significance and meaning associated with our everyday communication choices. From traditional face-to-face...	15	25B (Hamilton)
CSMAX170Foundations in Computing and Mathematical Sciences The objective of this paper is to provide students with the academic foundations for computing and mathematical sciences. The paper will cover the...	15	No occurrences
CSMAX175Introduction to Cyber Security This paper provides an introduction to Cyber Security through the exploration of concepts such as digital information, digital identities, digital...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga) & 25X (Hainan University, Haikou China)
DSIGN151Design History Students journey through a thematic history of design and its interplay with society and technology by studying historical artefacts that influence...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25X (Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou China)
EARTH101Introduction to Earth System Sciences - Pūtaiao Pūnaha Whenua A lecture and laboratory paper that explores the interacting processes that affect the surface of the Earth, producing landforms and resources, with...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
EARTH102Discovering Planet Earth - Tūhuratia Papatūānuku This paper explores the Earth's interior and its dynamic interaction with the crust, including: the major rocks and minerals; interpreting the rock...	15	25B (Hamilton)
ECONS101Economics for Business and Management This paper offers insights into the behaviour of consumers, firms and the government within the economy, giving students skills in analysing and...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Hamilton Waikato College) & 25A (Secondary School - Unistart) & 25A (Tauranga) & 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Hamilton Waikato College) & 25VA (National Economics University, Vietnam) & 25X (Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou China)
ENGEN111Electricity for Engineers Concepts underlying electricity such as current, voltage and power will be introduced, and apply these concepts to analyse electrical energy systems.	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga) & 25X (Hamilton)
ENGEN112Materials Science and Engineering Introduction to engineering materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, semiconductors and biomaterials) and their atomic structure and...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
ENGEN170Engineering and Society Introduction to the role of engineering in society with a focus on sustainable development, data analysis, holistic systems thinking, and the future...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
ENGEN180Foundations of Engineering Introduction to the engineering design process and computer aided design, fundamental principles of engineering analysis, open ended problem solving...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
ENSLA103English as an Additional Language: Effective Academic Writing This paper covers research, approaches to and techniques for different writing genres, analysis of English text and discourse, and an understanding...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25B (Hamilton)
ENVSC101Environmental Science - Pūtaiao Taiao A scientific study of the interaction between humans and the environment including climate change, utilisation and exploitation of natural resources...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
FINAN101Introduction to Finance This paper introduces the three core areas of finance - financial management, investments, and capital markets and institutions. The paper also...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Hamilton Waikato College) & 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Hamilton Waikato College) & 25B (Tauranga) & 25H (Hamilton) & 25VB (National Economics University, Vietnam) & 25X (Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou China)
HELTH102Drugs in Sport and Society This paper introduces students to foundational academic skills using the context of drug use for purposes of recreation and performance enhancement.	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGAL103Legal Method A This paper introduces students to the skills of the legal method in New Zealand, with particular emphasis on case law analysis, legal reasoning, and...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGAL104Legal Method B This paper introduces students to the skills of the legal method in New Zealand, with particular emphasis on statutory interpretation and introduces...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
MAORI100Kōkiri: Academic Skills for Indigenous Studies This paper introduces academic skills that are directly useful for the rest of your university studies but will also provide a foundation for...	15	25A (Hamilton)
MARIN101Marine Biodiversity - Rerenga Rauropi Taimoana This paper provides an introduction to marine ecosystems, the form and function of key marine taxa, the identification of New Zealand marine plants...	15	25A (Tauranga)
MARIN102Marine Mammals, Birds and Apex Predators This paper provides an overview of marine charismatic megafauna and ecosystem processes including food webs, biogeochemical cycling, trophic...	15	25B (Tauranga)
STMGT101Introduction to Management Managing in organisations, small and large, in changing local and international business environments requires knowledge, skills, and abilities of...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Hamilton Waikato College) & 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga) & 25C (Hamilton Waikato College) & 25VA (National Economics University, Vietnam) & 25W (Hamilton Waikato College) & 25X (Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou China)
TEACH101Ko te Reo me ngā Tikanga o ngā kura This paper introduces students to the skills, attitudes and values required of a teacher in Aotearoa New Zealand. It explores professional and...	15	25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Online) & 25X (Tauranga)
TEEDU100Concepts of Learning and Teaching 1 In this paper, students will examine theories of learning, working with diverse learners and a range of innovative teaching practices.	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga) & 25J (Online) & 25X (Online)
TEEDU101The Aotearoa New Zealand Educational Context This paper examines the educational policies, ideas and processes shaping educational contexts in Aotearoa New Zealand.	15	25X (Online)
TEEDU102Learning and Development Across the Lifespan This paper focuses on understanding and enhancing human development through an exploration of biological, psychological, social and cultural factors...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga) & 25X (Online)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
ENSLA202English as an Additional Language: Effective Academic Speaking This paper provides students with skills needed to understand and question academic texts. It covers skills in reading and text inquiry and...	15	25B (Hamilton)

2025 Catalogue of Papers information current as of 1 May 2025 01:00am

Disciplinary Foundation PapersSubject regulations

Other qualifications

Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences

Division of Education

Division of Health

Division of Management

Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies

Division of STEM

Disciplinary Foundation Papers papers