Specialise in Molecular Cell Biology for your Bachelor of Science at Massey
Molecular cell biology is at the forefront of scientific endeavour. Rapid advances in technology have enabled the genomic revolution, the targeted manipulation of genes, electron microscopy imaging of single biomolecules and computational biology. These exciting developments have united the traditional disciplines of cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, genomics, and molecular evolution into the field of Molecular Cell Biology.
In the Bachelor of Science (Molecular Cell Biology) you will study the big questions of life:
- How does life work at a molecular and cellular level and what keeps it going?
- What are cells made of and how do they control their molecular complexity?
- How did life start and why is it so diverse?
- How are organisms related and how does evolution work at a molecular level?
- How do cells go wrong and cause disease; what can we do for prevention and treatment?
You will learn key concepts, theories and experimental methods that help answer these questions. You'll gain a scientific education that enables the application of these ideas to important current issues such as:
- strategies to prevent global warming
- sustainability in food production
- diagnosis, treatment and prevention disease.
The laboratory component of our courses develop your experimental and computational skills in molecular cell biology. Some examples include:
- recombinant DNA engineering and protein analysis
- microscopy of chromosomes and cell movement
- genetic analysis
- cellular energetics
- computational genome sequencing and evolutionary analysis.
Join world-leading researchers
Our teaching is research-led. Your lecturers are internationally recognised with research strengths including; human, plant and microbial molecular, cellular and protein biology; cancer, neurological and bacterial disease mechanisms and treatments; diagnostics and vaccines; plant and bacterial evolution. Together we will help you develop the skills and knowledge to become molecular cell biologists of the future.
Make industry connections
Your study will benefit from the breadth of strong connections between Massey and research institutes including Fonterra, AgResearch, Plant & Food Research, Scion (Forestry). We maintain formal research collaborations throughout New Zealand, as well as the Pacific Islands, USA, United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.
Develop the skills employers are looking for
You'll graduate with a sound understanding of the fundamental aspects of molecular cell biology. You will have strong written and oral communication skills, and an analytical approach to problem-solving. These skills are all sought after by employers, and will ensure that you will have options in a wide range of careers, and the ability to progress quickly within your employment path.