Molecular and Cellular BiologySubject regulations

Molecular and Cellular Biology focuses on the broad subject areas of molecular biology and cellular biology.

Molecular and Cellular Biology is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Bachelor of Science (Technology) (BSc(Tech)). Molecular and Cellular Biology may also be included as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Molecular and Cellular Biology as a single major for the BSc and the BSc(Tech), students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Molecular and Cellular Biology, including BIOEB101, BIOMO101, BIOMO201, BIOMO202, BIOMO203, BIOMO204, and at least 45 points from BIOMO301, BIOMO302, BIOMO303, BIOMO304, BIOMO305 or BIOMD306.

To complete Molecular and Cellular Biology as part of a double major for the BSc and the BSc(Tech) or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from the papers listed for Molecular and Cellular Biology including BIOEB101, BIOMO101, BIOMO201, BIOMO202, BIOMO203, BIOMO204, and at least 30 points from BIOMO301, BIOMO302, BIOMO303, BIOMO304, BIOMO305 or BIOMD306.

To complete a minor in Molecular and Cellular Biology, students must complete BIOMO101 and 45 points above 100 level from BIOMO202, BIOMO203, BIOMO204, BIOMO302, BIOMO303, BIOMO304, BIOMO304, BIOMO305 or BIOMD306, including at least 15 points at 200 level and 15 points at 300 level.

Prospective MSc candidates should discuss their 300 level papers with the Postgraduate Convenor in order to ensure that a suitable number and combination of papers are taken.

Other qualifications

Prescriptions for:

A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Molecular and Cellular Biology at an advanced level in their first degree.
For further details, contact the Division of STEM.
To complete a postgraduate subject in Molecular and Cellular Biology, students must complete a minimum of 60 points (for PGDip a minimum of 90 points) of taught papers in the subject at 500 level, including at least 30 points with a BIOMO prefix from papers in List A, and a maximum of 30 points from papers in List B. They must also complete any research requirement for their degree, typically SCIEN520 (45 points), SCIEN523 (45 points), BIOMO592 (60 points) or BIOMO594 (120 points), as well as any other degree requirements. Candidates should select their papers in consultation with the Postgraduate Convenor, and enrolment in BSc(Hons) is only by invitation of the Postgraduate Convenor.
List A papers are: BIOMO501, BIOMO502, BIOMO503, BIOMO504, BIOMO511 and BIOMO512.
List B papers are: BIOEB502, CHEMY511, COMPX555, SCIEN501, SCIEN502, SCIEN503, SCIEN511, SCIEN512 and SCIEN589.
[1] The MSc(Tech) will not be offered in 2025.
The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

Molecular and Cellular Biology papers

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
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)
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)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
BIOMO201Biochemistry The aim of this paper is to familiarize students with the structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates (as fundamental...	15	25B (Hamilton)
BIOMO202Genetics This paper deals with genetics in the widest sense from the molecular and cellular to the applied and evolutionary. Both prokaryote and eukaryote...	15	25A (Hamilton)
BIOMO203Microbiology This paper will focus on microbial cell structure, function, and metabolism. Content and context will be drawn from both human and environmental...	15	25A (Hamilton)
BIOMO204Cell and Organ Physiology in Health and Disease This paper integrates basic cell physiology with organ-based physiology and histology, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the...	15	25B (Hamilton)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
BIOMD306Molecular Biology and Health This paper will provide the application of molecular biology knowledge and skills in the health sciences. This paper is specifically designed to...	15	25B (Hamilton)
BIOMO301Advanced Biochemistry This paper builds on the principles of biochemistry introduced in BIOMO201 to examine molecular mechanisms underlying cellular communication and...	15	25B (Hamilton)
BIOMO302Advanced Genetics This paper will provide advanced knowledge on microbial and eukaryotic genomes, next generation sequencing, bioinformatics, gene editing, the...	15	25A (Hamilton)
BIOMO303Advanced Microbiology The paper will provide knowledge of microbial functions and the role of the microbiome in human and ecosystem health.	15	25B (Hamilton)
BIOMO304From Brain to Behaviour The paper will provide a knowledge of physiology with an emphasis on basic research pertaining to how the peripheral tissues and organs communicate...	15	25A (Hamilton)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
BIOMO501Biomolecular Structure and Cellular Pathways This paper is an in-depth examination of biomolecular structure, function, and molecular metabolism using selected examples from the biochemistry...	15	25B (Hamilton)
BIOMO502Molecular Genetics in Health and Disease This paper explores how modern molecular approaches are contributing to our understanding of molecular genetics and how this information can be...	15	25A (Hamilton)
BIOMO503Microbiomes This paper explores microbiomes in the environment and in association with multicellular organisms, including humans, to understand their critical...	15	25A (Hamilton)
BIOMO504Biomedical Physiology This paper examines select topics in human/animal physiology in the context of functioning of the organism in health and disease. Elements of...	15	25B (Hamilton)
BIOMO511Current Topics in the Biomedical Sciences There is a significant amount of research addressing global biomedical challenges such as obesity, cancer, neurological diseases, cardiovascular...	15	25A (Hamilton)
BIOMO512Molecular Techniques for Environmental Science This paper will introduce students of diverse scientific backgrounds to current and emerging molecular analytic and diagnostic techniques used across...	15	25B (Hamilton)
BIOMO592Dissertation A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.	60	25X (Hamilton)
BIOMO594Molecular and Cellular Biology Thesis An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.	120	25I (Hamilton) & 25X (Hamilton)
CHEMY511Organic Characterisation Techniques Using a combination of lectures viewed online and instrumental work, students master the skills required to acquire NMR and mass spectra and...	15	25A (Hamilton)
COMPX555Bioinformatics An introduction to bioinformatics, open to students majoring in computer science or biology. It includes an overview of molecular biology, genomics...	15	No occurrences
SCIEN501Science Research Methods This paper is an introduction to professional practice as a scientist and is required for MSc(Res) degree students. This paper may be taken by MSc...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga) & 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
SCIEN502Science and Mātauranga Māori This paper will provide science students with a foundational understanding of both scientific and Mātauranga Māori perspectives on topical issues and...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
SCIEN503Science Communication in Society and the Workplace This paper discusses ways in which science can be communicated by scientists to others. It includes interacting with mainstream media, how to...	15	25C (Hamilton)
SCIEN512Data Analysis and Experimental Design This paper covers aspects of research design for experiments, and methods for analysis of scientific data using modern statistical techniques.	15	25A (Hamilton)
SCIEN520Dissertation A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, in the form of an individual project based on the analysis of existing data.	45	25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga)
SCIEN523Dissertation A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, in the form of a project based on the analysis of existing data. All students...	45	25C (Hamilton)
SCIEN589Directed Study	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga) & 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga) & 25C (Hamilton) & 25C (Tauranga)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
BIOMO800Molecular and Cellular Biology MPhil Thesis	120	25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
BIOMO900Molecular and Cellular Biology PhD Thesis	120	25I (Hamilton) & 25I (Tauranga) & 25J (Hamilton) & 25K (Hamilton) & 25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga)

2025 Catalogue of Papers information current as of 4 May 2025 01:00am

Molecular and Cellular BiologySubject regulations

Other qualifications

GradCert(Molec&CellBio) and GradDip(Molec&CellBio)

PGCert(Molec&CellBio), PGDip(Molec&CellBio), BSc(Hons), MSc, MSc(Res) and MSc(Tech) [1]

MPhil

PhD

Molecular and Cellular Biology papers