Regulations - Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Science – PGDipSci
The regulations for this postgraduate diploma are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.
Admission
1 In order to be admitted to this postgraduate diploma, an applicant must have:
a completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Science from this University with a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher, and a major or specialisation in the subject for the specialisation for which they intend to enrol, or have equivalent prior study
or
b completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Science from this University with a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II, and a major or specialisation in the subject for the specialisation for which they intend to enrol.
2 Equivalence in Regulation 1 will be determined by the University. Equivalence pertains to the standard as well as nature and level of study.
3 In exceptional circumstances, the requirement in Regulation 1 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic or nominee if they determine that an applicant has at least three years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.
4 With the approval of the Programme Director, a student may enrol for this postgraduate diploma without having fulfilled all the prerequisite requirements. A student may be required to enrol in any or all of the prerequisite courses not already passed in addition to the normal requirements of this programme.
Notes:
(i) This programme includes some specialisations that are limited entry as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Science.
(ii) Equivalent qualifications may include the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Bachelor of Optometry, Bachelor of Planning, Bachelor of Urban Planning or Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours).
(iii) Relevant majors or specialisations may include applied mathematics, bioinformatics, biological sciences, biomedical science, biosecurity, conservation, biotechnology, chemistry, clinical exercise physiology, computer science, earth sciences, environmental management, environmental science, exercise sciences, food science, geography, geology, geophysics, green chemical science, logic and computation, marine science, mathematics, medical statistics, optometry, pharmacology, physics, physiology, psychology, speech science, statistics or wine science.
Duration and Total Points Value
5 A student enrolled for this postgraduate diploma must:
a pass courses with a total value of 120 points
and
b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Postgraduate Diplomas.
6 The total enrolment for this postgraduate diploma must not exceed 160 points.
Structure and Content
7 A student enrolled for this postgraduate diploma must complete the requirements for one of the specialisations listed in the Postgraduate Diploma in Science Schedule.
8 A dissertation or research project of up to 45 points may be included as listed in the Postgraduate Diploma in Science Schedule.
9 Courses selected for this qualification are subject to confirmation by the relevant Academic Head or nominee.
10 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.
Dissertation / Research Project
11 a A dissertation or research project, when included in the programme, is to be carried out under the guidance of a supervisor appointed by the Academic Head.
b The dissertation or research project topic must be approved by the Programme Director prior to enrolment.
c The dissertation or research project is to be completed and submitted in accordance with the General Regulations – Postgraduate Diplomas.
Distinction
12 This postgraduate diploma may be awarded with Distinction or Merit in accordance with the General Regulations – Postgraduate Diplomas.
Variations
13 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.
Amendment
14 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2025.
Specialisations available:
Applied Mathematics
Prerequisite: A major in Applied Mathematics or Mathematics, or an equivalent subject approved by the Academic Head or nominee, including MATHS 340, 361, and MATHS 362 or 363, or equivalent courses approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
at least 60 points from MATHS 761–770
up to 60 points from approved 700 level courses in Mathematics or related subjects with approval of the Head of Department
Bioinformatics
The PGDipSci in Bioinformatics was suspended in 2020. Students who have a current enrolment in this subject should contact their faculty for advice regarding completion.
Prerequisite: A BSc with a major in Bioinformatics or Biological Sciences and COMPSCI 220, or equivalent as approved by the Programme Director.
Requirement:
45 points from BIOINF 702, 704, BIOSCI 702
75 points from BIOINF 701, BIOSCI 733, 737, 752, 755–758, 761 COMPSCI 715, 720, 732, 760, 767, MATHS 764, STATS 720, 721, 730, 731, 732, 761, 783, 784, or related 700 level courses, as approved by the Programme Director
Biological Sciences
Prerequisite: A major in Biological Sciences or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
at least 90 points from BIOSCI 700–704, 724–761, 763–766
up to 30 points from 700 level courses in a related subject as approved by the Programme Director
Biosecurity and Conservation
Prerequisite: A major in Biological Sciences or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
30 points: BIOSCI 747, 748
at least 60 points from BIOSCI 761 or ENVSCI 701, BIOSCI 724, 730, 731, 733–735, 738, 739, 751, 760, 763, 766, ENVMGT 746, ENVSCI 705, 708, 711, 734, 737, STATS 776
up to 30 points from 700 level courses in Biological Sciences, Environmental Management, Environmental Science
Biotechnology
Prerequisite: A major in Biotechnology or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
15 points: SCIENT 703
15 points from BIOSCI 701, 704
at least 60 points from BIOSCI 700–702, 736–738, 741, 746, 749, 751–761, 764–765
up to 30 points from other approved 700 level courses offered at this University
Chemistry
Prerequisite: A major in Chemistry, or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
at least 90 points from CHEM 710–780, 795
up to 30 points from 700 level courses in Chemistry or related subjects with approval of the Programme Director
Note: Students intending to study for a Master of Science in Chemistry must take CHEM 795.
Clinical Exercise Physiology
New admissions into the PGDipSci in Clinical Exercise Physiology were suspended in 2024. Students who have a current enrolment in this subject should contact their faculty for advice regarding completion.
Prerequisite: A major in Exercise Sciences or Sport and Exercise Science, or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee including EXERSCI 301 or an equivalent course approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
90 points: EXERSCI 720, 721, 776, 777
30 points from approved 700 level courses in the Faculty of Science approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Computer Science
Prerequisite: A major in Computer Science, or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
at least 90 points from BIOSCI 700, COMPSCI 691, 701–716, 720–777, 780
up to 30 points from 700 level courses in a related subject with approval of the Academic Head or nominee
Earth Sciences
Prerequisite: A major in Earth Sciences or Geology, or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee, or a major in Geography including GEOG 330, 331, 334, 351, 360 or equivalent courses approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
at least 90 points from ASTRO 720, EARTHSCI 700–772
up to 30 points from ENVPHYS 702, GEOG 745, 746, 771 or other 700 level courses as approved by the Programme Director
Requirement:
15 points from ENVMGT 701, GEOG 701
at least 60 points from ENVMGT 741–762
up to 45 points from 700 level courses as approved by the Programme Coordinator
Environmental Physics
Prerequisite: A major in Environmental Physics, Geophysics or its equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
45 points from ENVPHYS 700–703, PHYSICS 743
a further 75 points from ENVPHYS 700–703, 770 or other 600 or 700 level courses in Earth Sciences, Geography, Geographic Information Science, Mathematics, Physics or other subjects offered by the Faculty of Science approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
15 points: ENVSCI 711
at least 60 points from ENVSCI 701, 704–708, 713–738, MARINE 707
up to a further 45 points from EARTHSCI 705, 720, GEOG 745–749, 770, 771, ENVMGT 742, 744, MARINE 703 or other approved 700 level courses
Exercise Sciences
Prerequisite: A major in Exercise Sciences or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
15 points: EXERSCI 705
at least 45 points from 700 level courses in Exercise Sciences as approved by the Head of Department
up to 60 points from other 700 level courses offered at this University approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Food Science
Prerequisite: A major in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Food Science, specialisation in Food Science and Nutrition, or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
75 points from CHEMMAT 757, FOODSCI 703, 706, 707, 708
45 points from approved 600 and 700 level courses
Geography
Prerequisite: A major in Earth Sciences or Geography, or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee including 45 points at Stage III in Geography or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
15 points: GEOG 701
at least 75 points from EARTHSCI 705, 722, 732, ENVMGT 741–762, ENVSCI 704, 705, 713, 737, 738, GEOG 714–779
up to 30 points from other approved 700 level courses offered at this University
Green Chemical Science
Prerequisite: A major or specialisation in Chemistry or Green Chemical Science, or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee, including CHEM 360 and ENVSCI 301 or equivalent courses approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
at least 60 points from CHEM 710–751, 780, 795
30 points: CHEM 760, ENVSCI 714
up to 30 points from 700 level courses in Chemistry or related subjects with approval from the Programme Director
Logic and Computation
Prerequisite: A major in Logic and Computation or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
15 points from COMPSCI 720, 750, 760, 767
15 points from PHIL 736–738
90 points from COMPSCI 720, 750, 760, 767, LINGUIST 721, 724, LOGICOMP 701–705, MATHS 713, 715, PHIL 736–738
Marine Science
Prerequisite: A major in Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, or Marine Science, or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
15 points: MARINE 701
15 points from BIOSCI 761, CHEM 795, ENVSCI 701
90 points from the following 700 level courses including at least two of the following subject areas: BIOSCI 724–727, 733, 738, 739, 749, EARTHSCI 720, ENVMGT 742, 744, 748, ENVSCI 704, 714, FOODSCI 703, 708, GEOG 746, 771, GEOPHYS 711–713, 761, MARINE 702–707, STATS 767, or other 700 level courses approved by the Programme Coordinator
Mathematics
Prerequisite: A major in Mathematics or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee, including MATHS 332, and MATHS 320 or 328 or equivalent courses approved by the Academic Head or nominee. MATHS 302 may be substituted for one of MATHS 320, 328, 332
Requirement:
at least 75 points from MATHS 701–710, 712–770, 781–784, 786–789
up to 45 points from approved 600 level courses in Mathematics or from MATHS 701–710, 712–770, 781–784, 786–789 or related subjects, with the approval of the Head of Department
Medical Statistics
Prerequisite: A major in Statistics or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee including STATS 210 or 225 or an equivalent course approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
45 points: POPLHLTH 708, STATS 770, 773
15 points from STATS 779, 782
at least 30 points from POPLHLTH 708, 709, 711, 767, STATS 702, 703, 705, 708–787
up to 30 points from 700 level courses in Statistics or related subjects, as approved by the Programme Director
Optometry
New admissions into the PGDipSci in Optometry were suspended in 2023 for 2024 onwards. Students who have a current enrolment in this subject should contact their faculty for advice regarding completion.
Prerequisite: A specialisation in Optometry or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
120 points from OPTOM 751, 752, 757, 759
or
at least 90 points from OPTOM 751, 752, 757, 759
up to 30 further points, subject to approval by the Head of Department, from approved 600 or 700 level courses in a related subject
Pharmacology
Prerequisite: A major in Pharmacology or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
at least 60 points from MEDSCI 700, 715–720, 722, 723, 735, 744, 745
up to 60 points from other 600 or 700 level courses as approved by the Head of Department
Requirement:
75 points from PHYSICS 625–681, 691, 701–787, 788
and
a further 45 points from GEOPHYS 761, 780, MATHS 761–770, PHYSICS 625–681, 691, 701–787, 788
or
at least 15 points from GEOPHYS 761, 780, MATHS 761–770, PHYSICS 625–681, 691, 701–787, 788
up to 30 points, subject to the approval of the Head of Department, from approved 600 and 700 level courses in related subjects
Physiology
Prerequisite: A major in Physiology or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
15 points: MEDSCI 743
at least 60 points from MEDSCI 703, 727, 729, 734, 738, 739, 744
up to 45 points from 700 level courses in a related subject approved by the Programme Director
Psychology
Prerequisite: A major in Psychology or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
either
120 points from EDUC 741, EXERSCI 711, INDIGEN 712, PSYCH 700–770, 775–779, PSYCHOL 700, 701
or
at least 90 points from EDUC 741, EXERSCI 711, INDIGEN 712, PSYCH 700–770, 775–779, PSYCHOL 700, 701
up to 30 points from other 600 or 700 level courses offered at this University approved by the Programme Director
Speech Science
Requirement:
60 points from SPCHSCI 701, 711–713, 722, 723, 733, 736, 743, 746, 751–754
60 points from other approved 600 or 700 level courses in Audiology, Computer Science, Engineering, Linguistics, Physiology, Psychology, Speech Science
Statistics
Prerequisite: A major in Statistics or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee including STATS 210 or 225 or an equivalent course approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
15 points from STATS 779, 782
at least 75 points from POPLHLTH 708, 709, 711, STATS 700–703, 705, 708–787
up to 30 points from 700 level courses in Statistics or related subjects, as approved by the Programme Director
Wine Science
Prerequisite: A major in Chemistry or specialisation in Food Science and Nutrition, or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee
Requirement:
at least 75 points from WINESCI 701–708
up to 45 points from approved 600 and 700 level courses in Biological Sciences, Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Food Science or Geography