Science General

The University of Auckland offers three courses within the Science General(SciGen) group: SciGen 101, SciGen 201 and SciGen 301. All of these courses focus on developing skills to help you apply the specialist knowledge from your degree in a real-world working environment. They are designed to complement your current programme of study.

Key areas of study include: Communication of specialist knowledge to broad audiences; Working in a business environment; Dealing with diverse communities; Sharing knowledge effectively; Career development and planning.

The SciGen courses have been developed to help students gain key skills which have been identified as valuable in the workplace following graduation. This has been based on information provided by employers.

If you need advice on our Science General courses, please contact:

Marie McEntee
Human Science Building (HSB), room 553a
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 82499
Email: m.mcentee@auckland.ac.nz

Effective communication is required for specialists in all fields to engage meaningfully with society. In this course students gain an understanding of the important role communication plays in a knowledge society. Through case studies and practical experience students learn about the
responsibilities and skills required to communicate with a variety of audiences. They learn how to effectively manage and present data and practice oral, written, visual and electronic communication.

Please note: This course is offered as a general education course and in the BSc schedule. Science students please note - you are allowed to enrol in this course as one of your general education options. However please confirm your eligibility on The University of Auckland’s General Education webpage.

This course is taught in: First Semester, City Campus (S1 C); Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Marie McEntee
Format S1: three 1 hour lectures per week
Format S2: three 1 hour lectures per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 60% coursework, 40% final examination
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO
Course homepage

An interdisciplinary examination of issues relating to the management of science and technology. At a policy level, topics include the international context for science and technology, the role of business and research organisations, and policies for emerging technologies. At an organisational level, issues range from strategic analysis of the business environment to planning a corporate response. At project level, topics include the management of specialist staff and resources, and implementation of research strategies.

This course is taught in: First Semester, City Campus (S1 C)

Coordinator: Dr Belinda Bray
Format: two 1 hour lectures per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% final examination
Preparation: no prerequisites
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO

Course homepage

Designed specifically for Science and Engineering students this course allows students to develop key skills relevant to the working environment including project management, communication and time management. Students will be asked to apply the specialist knowledge that they have gained throughout their degree program and communicate it to a wide range of groups external to the University. Students will be expected to undertake group work and manage their own project during this course.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Dr Belinda Bray
Format: four hours per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 100% in-course assessment
Prerequisites: 180 points in any combination of papers, preferably in the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Engineering schedules
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO

Course homepage

If you are interested in the entrepreneurial side of science and consider further study after completing your BSc or BTech, you might be interested in the following programmes offered by the Business School:

Postgraduate Certificate and Masters in Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship

This postgraduate programme will provide you with the core knowledge and skills needed to commercialise and take to market, new products, services and processes based on research discoveries, inventions, innovations and new ideas.

Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

These undergraduate programmes are designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and understanding of how an innovative idea, product, service or process can lead to a new and successful business, or help an existing firm grow and expand in national and global market-places.

The following brochures provide detailed information about these programmes:

• Postgraduate Certificate and Masters in Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship
• Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Innovation and Entrepreneurship