Master of Science Research in Chemistry

at The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus New Zealand

The pressure on our environment is increasing as the human population grows. Environmental Sciences provide a basis for understanding environmental problems, and finding solutions to them.

The growing human population is expected to exceed 9 billion within the next 40 years.  The need to provide for increasing human demands, while protecting and sustainably managing the environment, is one of our greatest global challenges. Environmental Science is at the core of this challenge.

A major in Environmental Sciences at Waikato encompasses ecology, earth sciences, and environmental chemistry as well as many other disciplines. It is about understanding and managing human impacts on our land, biodiversity, freshwater, oceans, atmosphere and climate while providing the food, water, energy, and mineral resource needs that are critical to our survival.

Philosophy is for thinkers and doers. It's about solving real-life problems, and applying intellectual rigour to how we understand and interact with others, society and the world. Studying Philosophy at Waikato will teach you how to learn, think and write clearly, argue vigorously, and question deeply held assumptions and beliefs.

The study of Philosophy involves tackling ethical and science-related issues, logic problems and debates about the nature of reality. It asks fundamental questions about what it means to be human, at this time and in this place. Questions such as: what is truth; what is reality; what is the mind; and what is good?

Employers understand the value of graduates who can think, and decide, for themselves. Waikato Philosophy graduates have the practical and analytical skills needed for careers within the public and private, health, business, environmental, publishing, information technology and education sectors, among others.

Molecular and Cellular Biology explores the complex mechanisms that coordinate the essential systems that define a living cell and that allow cells to have differentiated properties. This knowledge is used to look at how unicellular and multicellular organisms function and how it can provide researchers with crucial insights into the basis of human and animal diseases.

By studying a major in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Waikato, you will:

• Gain a detailed knowledge of the molecules of life and the relationship between the structure and function of biomolecules;
• Understand the subcellular and cellular organisation of eukaryotic cells and the key catabolic, anabolic and metabolic cellular processes that occur;
• Learn how to distinguish between the genetic organisation and gene expression of viruses, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes, and describe the mechanisms of inheritance and evolution;
• Be able to describe the anatomy and physiology of mammals and other organisms, and the mechanisms behind certain diseases.
• Along with relevant subject knowledge, you will also gain a range of critical thinking skills, and practical learning experiences from our range of challenging and innovative papers and programs. There is a significant laboratory component to the Molecular and Cellular Biology major, where you will learn relevant skills and be exposed to some of the latest techniques available.

Molecular and Cellular Biology explores the complex mechanisms that coordinate the essential systems that define a living cell and that allow cells to have differentiated properties. This knowledge is used to look at how unicellular and multicellular organisms function and how it can provide researchers with crucial insights into the basis of human and animal diseases.

By studying a major in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Waikato, you will

• Gain a detailed knowledge of the molecules of life and the relationship between the structure and function of biomolecules;
• Understand the subcellular and cellular organisation of eukaryotic cells and the key catabolic, anabolic and metabolic cellular processes that occur.
• Learn how to distinguish between the genetic organisation and gene expression of viruses, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes, and describe the mechanisms of inheritance and evolution;
• Be able to describe the anatomy and physiology of mammals and other organisms, and the mechanisms behind certain diseases.

Along with relevant subject knowledge, you will also gain a range of critical thinking skills, and practical learning experiences from our range of challenging and innovative papers and programs. There is a significant laboratory component to the Molecular and Cellular Biology major, where you will learn relevant skills and be exposed to some of the latest techniques available.

Teaching is research-led, and you can expect to be taught by world-class researchers. Research strengths within Molecular and Cellular Biology include active programs within molecular biology, structural biology and protein engineering, neuroendocrine processes that underlie food intake and biomedical related research relevant to veterinary and human medicine.

Mechanical engineering uses mechanics and energy principles to design, research, develop and manufacture tools, engines, motors and other devices.

Mechanical engineering uses mechanics and energy principles to design, research, develop and manufacture tools, engines, motors and other devices.  At the University of Waikato we align what you learn with what industry requires.

Our Mechanical Engineering program is strongly based on project-based learning.  It combines mechanical engineering, science and mathematics papers to give you a good understanding of engineering theory and practice.

You will study topics such as mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, materials science, structural analysis and electricity.  In your second and third years you can choose papers to focus on either a Mechatronics Stream or a Manufacturing and Energy Stream.

An important part of the Mechanical Engineering program at the University of Waikato has supported work placements in relevant industries. This gives you the opportunity for paid work experience while further exploring the field of Mechanical Engineering you could choose for your career.

Geography matters because it is about basic human relationships - between people and the environment, and between people and other people. Ranked among the top geography program in the world, the Geography program at Waikato is the only solely human geography program in New Zealand.

Geography at Waikato goes beyond the classroom and opens you up to numerous career opportunities. Upon graduation, our students pursue careers in urban and regional planning, regional economic development, travel and tourism development, environmental consultancy, as well as the property and housing industry and local government.

You'll explore how people organise and form groups, form larger social structures, and how societies evolve over time. As a budding sociologist, you'll be challenged to assume little in the hopes of clearing the way for new conclusions.

You'll ask questions like how different groups view social reality and why certain views become accepted within groups over time. You'll dissect the interwoven nature and influence of parents, peers, elders, teachers and the media on society. We'll also challenge you to consider why some societies are war-torn while others remain peaceful – why some behaviour is acceptable while others are less desirable. You'll look for solutions and debate how societies change.

Sociology at Waikato takes a thematic approach and includes papers in criminology, the family, popular culture and theoretical perspectives.  As part of a degree in Sociology papers in social policy, women and gender studies and labour studies can be included.

Teaching staff provide plenty of mentoring and direction along the way and allow students opportunities to throw out ideas in a relaxed and informal learning environment. Studying Sociology at Waikato will open your eyes to the inner workings of society and how people drive them.

Computer Science is rapidly changing the world we live in. Studying Computer Science at the University of Waikato, you'll learn about software systems and how people and computers interact. You’ll also learn how to create new software, and ensure it's easy for people to use.

A major in Computer Science is flexible, allowing you to focus on a particular area, or to complete a more generalist major. The papers available are carefully designed to ensure you have a good mastery of a particular area of Computer Science and will equip you with the skills you need to succeed in your chosen career.

Waikato is well-recognised internationally for our computer science research, and have especially enjoyed success with open source software development.

Students have the opportunity to work alongside internationally-respected academics on a wide range of exciting and innovative research projects in areas such as:

• Broadband communication
• Data compression
• Digital libraries
• Formal methods
• Human-computer interaction
• Machine learning
• Software engineering
• Cyber security.

Enhance productivity and help make more informed decisions, while using your Computer Science and Statistical analysis skills, through Data Analytics.

Data Analytics is the combination of Computer Science and Statistics. With the massive amount of data that is collected today, we need to have the computing skills to manipulate and extract relevant data prior to performing statistical analyses, which enables us to make informed decisions in a world where variability is everywhere.

Data Analytics provides you with the skills and techniques for manipulating and administering large databases to extract useful information for statistical analyses.

As a Data Analytics graduate from the University of Waikato you will have the ability to use statistical techniques in a number of industries, from healthcare to travel to energy management.  Your skills will help companies to make better decisions as well as to verify and disprove existing theories.

Computer Science is rapidly changing the world we live in. Studying Computer Science at the University of Waikato, you'll learn about software systems and how people and computers interact. You’ll also learn how to create new software, and ensure it's easy for people to use.

Ongoing progress in computer technology means that there is a steady need for more qualified computer professionals. The University of Waikato is recognised among the world’s best in computer science, and offers the largest range of advanced computer science courses in New Zealand.

A major in Computer Science is flexible, allowing you to focus on a particular area, or to complete a more generalist major. The papers available are carefully designed to ensure you have a good mastery of a particular area of Computer Science and will equip you with the skills you need to succeed in your chosen career.

Waikato is well-recognised internationally for our computer science research, and have especially enjoyed success with open source software development.

Students have the opportunity to work alongside internationally-respected academics on a wide range of exciting and innovative research projects in areas such as:

• Broadband communication
• Data compression
• Digital libraries
• Formal methods
• Human-computer interaction
• Machine learning
• Software engineering
• Cyber security.