Haere mai and welcome to our capstone course, BIOSCI 399.
Biology is the science of the 21st century. From pandemics, to climate change, to life on other worlds, biology is at the forefront of the most exciting and important human endeavours. It is an exciting time to be a biologist, and in BIOSCI 399, you will develop an understanding of the relevance of biology in the 21st century, from a scientific and social perspective. You will work individually and in groups to explore how contemporary and emerging biological knowledge has, or will have, an impact on the cultural, social, ethical, economic and political dimensions of Aotearoa New Zealand and global communities. Additionally, you will learn how to identify misinformation and hype about what is possible, what is plausible, and what is probable.
This course is designed to contextualise your biological knowledge to real world issues and allow you to apply the skills you have acquired during your undergraduate degree. The skills and capabilities developed in this course will benefit those students who are entering into postgraduate research but will equally benefit those entering into the workforce directly after their studies. All students in the BSc majoring in biological sciences are required to pass this course as part of their degree. This course includes assessments designed for individual and group work that will include presentations, written work and discursive activities.