For he's a jolly good fellow Adrian Jull has been elected a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry for his outstanding contribution to the profession of chemistry in the field of chemical education. Top achievement by Massey graduate Massey BSc graduate of the early 1970s, Robert G Buckley, has been awarded, with Jeff Tallon, the inaugural Prime Minister's Science Prize for outstanding achievement in Science. The award recognises their contributions in creating a new high-value High Temperature Superconductivity industry for New Zealand. Bob now manages the IRL's HTS group. Drs Buckley and Tallon receive prize money of $500,000, with $400,000 going to IRL for continued development of HTS technology. Budding Scientists win at Manawatu Science Fair Dinithi Bowawte (PNINS) was awarded the IFS Chemistry Prize for her project 'A convenient truth' while the IFS Physics Prize went to Callum Judd (Ross Intermediate) for 'Conquering corners' - How best to turn a corner while speed skating - and Lane Huffman-Devey (PNINS) received the IFS Statistics Prize for 'Guided by the light' - A driveway lighting system. News Archive
| | Biomathematics
 What is biomathematics?
Biomathematics is a rapidly developing interdisciplinary subject bringing the tools of mathematics to biological applications. Traditionally this was mainly in developing mathematical models of biological systems, from the molecular and cellular levels through to whole organism models, and population and ecological studies. These often consider changes over time, so rates of change studies, leading to differential and integral equations are frequently encountered. The more recent development of genomic data, such as protein and nuclear sequences, proteomics have expanded the repertoire of tools required of a modern biomathematician.
Why biomathematics?
With the rapid recent growth in exploitation of biological databases, particularly as a consequence of the recent explosion of genetic sequence data, as highlighted by the Human Genome project, we see a consequent growth in demand of graduates who are positioned to work at the interface of mathematics and modern biology.
Career opportunities
Potential employers for graduates in this new area include: Biology/Biotechnology based industries and research institutions; Food industry; Pharmaceutical and scientific suppliers; Education sector; and Government and local body agencies.
As this is a new development for New Zealand, and unique to Massey University, we have yet to monitor the experiences of bachelor degree graduates in this field. However we have trained a number of PhD graduates and postdoctoral fellows in Biomathematics in recent years, most of whom have immediately found employment overseas (Japan, US, UK, Germany), several of whom are working in university research groups as the mathematical consultants in biological teams. Daniel Huson, who had trained as a mathematician in Germany, and learned his Biology at Massey University, was recruited by Celera, the private research company in USA, to lead the research group developing software which was used in reading the Human Genome.
How can I become a biomathematician?
At school
Students entering this major are expected to have studied Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics at NCEA Level 3.
If you need to strengthen your entry level, there are Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics papers, which can be studied extramurally over the summer (in Summer School) before you commence your full studies. On offer from November to February are:
For general entry requirements see Massey University entry requirements.
Biomathematics at Massey
This programme at Massey University is the first undergraduate degree in Biomathematics to be offered in New Zealand.
The teaching staff for this programme are drawn from several of the institutes of the College of Sciences, principally from Fundamental Sciences and Molecular Biosciences. Several of the staff are active research members of the Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, hosted by Massey University. This centre was identified in 2002 by the Royal Society of New Zealand as one of the five Centres of Research Excellence to receive additional research funding.
The interdisciplinary approach of the Biomathematics degree offers a new approach to a science degree qualification that reflects how biomathematicians work in practice. A Biomathematics graduate will have all the mathematical skills of a general mathematics graduate, taught in a biological context, together with an understanding of basic biological issues and methodologies. The graduate should be able to fit into a biological workplace to bring the appropriate mathematical tools to bear on novel biological problems.
Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Information Sciences with a Biomathematics Major
 A BSc or BInfSc takes 3 years of full-time study. The choice of which degree is up to the individual. Both have essentially the same majoring requirements. For full requirements see the regulations:
First year
For your major:
For the degree requirements:
- 119.155 Communication in the Sciences (BSc) or
- 119.177 Written Communications for Information Sciences (BInfSc)
The remaining 2 first year papers can be chosen from other first year science or information science papers to satisfy the overall degree requirements. (Students should choose papers that allow for at least one other major in case of change of plans.)
Second year
Seven papers are required for the major:
Third year
and one of
The Biomathematics major may not be combined into a double major with Mathematics or any biological major.
Who can help me decide?
Contact Barbara Holland for more information on this major.
If this is the degree for you, go to the enrolment page.
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