College of Science

Astronomy

Astronomy and astrophysics are concerned with the study of the nature and distribution of matter and radiation throughout all time and space in the Universe.

Astronomers have always been keen to harness the latest technological advances in their quest for ever more precise and revealing observations. As a consequence, astronomy in recent years has been one of the most rapidly expanding of all physical sciences and many exciting and unexpected discoveries continue to be made.

Career Opportunities
Students majoring in Astronomy acquire a wide range of skills, from the use of spectroscopic and photometric detector systems, through electronics and optics, to computer skills for analysis and interpretation of data. This produces a graduate who is well equipped to undertake employment not only in astronomy, but in any number of fields that require practical experience or that involve analysis of real data.

Studying Physics and Astronomy equips graduates with skills in problem solving, abstract thinking, evaluating, communicating, and decision making. It develops high levels of curiosity, inventiveness, and mathematical and computer competencies.

Graduates may follow traditional paths and work either as scientists, technicians, research assistants, engineers, astronomers, patent agents, technical authors, or even managers at an observatory or in an institute. However, many Astronomy graduates move into other fields, particularly computing and information technology, management, and science communication or media work. With some additional study, graduates can become meteorologists, geophysicists, material technologists, or medical physicists.

Biochemistry

Biochemistry brings together a number of branches of science with a view to understanding the chemistry of life. Such a unique and privileged position at the interface of the traditional sciences makes for a dynamic and exciting discipline. It provides basic insight into biological processes such as enzyme action, drug action, genetic engineering, photosynthesis, and colour vision.

Biochemistry is at the cutting edge of contemporary science, research, and industry. Biochemical innovation is critical in adding value to Aotearoa New Zealand’s agricultural production, advancing medicine, and understanding the fundamentals of the biological world around us.

Career Opportunities
Biochemists are key members of drug development teams in the pharmaceuticals industry. Many work in government departments (eg, in medicines regulation), diagnostic departments in hospitals, and in research institutes studying subjects as diverse as crop protection and nanotechnology.

You could find interesting graduate jobs and career progression with food and beverage producers; agricultural organisations; manufacturing and processing companies; the biotechnology industry; health and beauty care organisations; or science publishers.

Chemistry

Chemistry is the central science. It deals with the composition, structure, and behaviour of the atoms and molecules that make up all forms of matter. Understanding the world at an atomic level is essential to all areas of science. Chemistry interlinks and contributes to medicine, geology, materials science, molecular physics, biology, and astronomy.

Its central role in science is emphasised by the fact that Chemistry merges with Biological Sciences (the field of biochemistry) at one extreme, and with Physics (physical chemistry and chemical physics) at the other.

Career Opportunities
New Zealand’s unique mix of primary and secondary industries provides a wide choice of careers in chemistry. Expanding industries in New Zealand, for example those related to new sources of energy and to the development of forestry and dairy resources, are further increasing the demand for qualified chemists.

Chemists are well trained in problem solving and skilled at handling information, which leads naturally into a wide diversity of job opportunities, including sales and management.

Financial Engineering

Financial Engineering is a cross-disciplinary field combining financial and economic theory with the mathematical and computational tools needed to design and develop financial products, portfolios, markets, and regulations. Financial engineers manage financial risk, identify market opportunities, design and value financial or actuarial products, and optimise investment strategies.

Similar to other professional degrees at UC, the first year of the Bachelor of Science in Financial Engineering provides a breadth and depth of technical skills and knowledge across the key disciplines of finance and economics, mathematics and statistics, and computer science and software engineering.

This broad foundation is then built upon over the next two years, where you will undertake further core courses across these disciplines and can choose specialisations within Financial Engineering.

Career Opportunities
UC Financial Engineering graduates will be ready for the international workplace in the finance industry and related fields mentioned above. They will also be well prepared for further study in this field in order to attain positions at higher technical levels.

Employers range from private industries, such as banking, investment, capital industries, security, data analysis, risk management and insurance, to the public sector.

Data Science

Organisations are increasingly making use of large volumes of digital data, from personal medical histories, to socio-economic statistics, to internet trends. Data scientists are one of the newest professions to come from this demand for effective storage, maintenance, and use of ‘big data’. Graduates with modern, technical knowledge of computing systems and statistical methods are needed to process information in a range of industries.

Data Science combines mathematics, statistics, computing, technology innovation, and practical results. You will study at the forefront of modern practices and issues in the digital world, including ethics and security of data, strategy development, and statistical programming.

Career Opportunities
Graduates of Data Science will find their knowledge is in high demand, as there is a global shortage of expertise to support the steady growth in data collection and digitisation.

Graduates will find employment in business and technology sectors as data scientists, data advisors, data/analytics consultants, and insight analysts.

Data Science graduates will also have a background in project implementation, research, critical analysis, problem solving, and communication skills in discussing and explaining data findings, all of which are useful skills in a number of careers.

Mathematics

Mathematics is a living subject with new ideas, techniques, and theorems constantly being created, tested, and explored.

Mathematicians are at the forefront of breakthroughs in science, technology, and finance.

Career Opportunities
Perhaps the most important quality that a Mathematics graduate develops is the ability to reason logically and in depth. Mathematics is a creative, collaborative pursuit. The habits of thought developed by studying Mathematics are of permanent value.

Mathematics graduates are highly employable, working in computing, finance, commerce, insurance, scientific institutions (such as Crown Research Institutes), law, teaching, and many other fields.

Employment opportunities are particularly good for people who combine qualifications in Mathematics with qualifications in other disciplines such as the Physical Sciences, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, Management, and Economics.

Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and associated biological, cognitive, and social processes in humans and other animals. It is a rapidly developing field touching on all aspects of human life. Advances in neuro-imaging and molecular biology are rapidly enhancing our understanding of how the brain works, while increasingly complex theories are being developed to understand both normal and abnormal development and the behaviour of individuals and groups. Major advances are being made in understanding and treating psycho-pathologies such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and addictions.

Its central role in science is emphasised by the fact that Chemistry merges with Biological Sciences (the field of biochemistry) at one extreme, and with Physics (physical chemistry and chemical physics) at the other.

Career Opportunities
Psychologists have a unique mix of skills. As well as a basic knowledge about people, as individuals and in groups, they are required to have excellent writing and communication skills, the ability to analyse and understand quantitative data, and a critical and objective way of approaching problems.

Psychology graduates hold research and policy analyst positions in government departments and other large public sector organisations, as well as positions of responsibility in a variety of settings, including many private sector businesses. Many graduates are employed in public relations; teaching and training; district health boards; the New Zealand Defence Forces; Department of Corrections; and in social service agencies such as employment services, social welfare, counselling services, and health promotion.