The Bachelor of Science – Individual Major at Lincoln University is a 3-year, full-time undergraduate science degree worth 360 credits. It is designed for students who want to build a customised science major rather than follow one of Lincoln’s standard named majors. Students can combine disciplines such as ecology and soil science, or animal science and genetics, provided the resulting programme has a coherent academic focus and meets Lincoln’s degree regulations. The current Lincoln programme page lists Semester 1 and Semester 2 2027 starts and a 2026 international tuition estimate of NZ$37,000 for 120 credits.

The IPU website and the supplied IPU programme URL do not publicly specify an IPU pathway, partnership, admission route, fee arrangement or scholarship specifically for this Lincoln University Bachelor of Science – Individual Major. Therefore, IPU-specific information is not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

Why Study / Key Benefits

• Allows students to design an individual science major around their particular interests.
• Particularly suitable when a student's preferred combination of subjects is not available as one of Lincoln's named majors.
• Can combine different scientific disciplines, such as ecology and soil science or animal science and genetics.
• Provides a foundation in biological and quantitative sciences before progressing into advanced study.
• Develops practical and applied scientific knowledge relevant to environmental and natural-resource challenges.
• Can focus on areas such as biochemistry, genetics, animal science or plant science.
• Connects science with the sustainable management and conservation of land, water, air and natural resources.
• Lincoln's science programmes emphasise practical learning and research opportunities, including laboratory work, team projects and industry-related assignments.
• The flexible structure can be useful for students who have an interdisciplinary career objective rather than a single traditional science specialisation.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Individual Major is deliberately flexible. Instead of following a fixed list of specialist courses, students select electives that collectively create a coherent scientific focus. A course adviser helps students plan the combination and ensure that the selected first- and second-year courses provide appropriate preparation for the required 300-level study.

Year 1

Semester 1:

• BIOS 110 – Biological Sciences – 15 credits
• One course from BSC Individual List A
• Two electives

Semester 2:

• One course from BSC Individual List A
• Three electives.

Year 2

Semester 1:

• Four electives

Semester 2:

• QMET 201 – Biometrics – 15 credits
• Three electives.

Year 3

Semester 1:

• Four electives

Semester 2:

• Four electives

BSC Individual List A

Students must choose at least one of the following:

Semester 1:

• PHSC 101 – Chemistry IA – 15 credits
• ENSC 101 – Introduction to Earth and Ecological Sciences – 15 credits

Semester 2:

• PHSC 103 – Environmental Physics – 15 credits.

Individual Major Requirements

The individual major must have a coherent academic focus determined by the student's elective choices.

Lincoln states that:

• A minimum of 75 credits must be taken at 300 level.
• At least 60 of those 300-level credits must be from Schedule A, Part 2.
• No more than 165 credits may be at 100 level.
• Generally, an area of focus should contain at least three 300-level courses with the same course prefix.
• Students must meet the requirements of at least one of the named Bachelor of Science majors/approved individual-major requirements.

Disciplines / Specialisations

This qualification is specifically designed to allow interdisciplinary study.

The programme page gives examples of possible combinations such as:

• Ecology and soil science
• Animal science and genetics

It also identifies possible areas of focus including:

• Biochemistry
• Genetics
• Animal science
• Plant science
• Ecology
• Soil science
• Environmental science
• Biological sciences
• Environmental physics
• Biometrics.

Lincoln's broader science offering currently includes named majors in:

• Animal Science
• Conservation and Ecology
• Environmental Science
• Food Innovation
• Plant and Horticultural Sciences

Programme Highlights

• 3-year full-time science degree.
• 360 credits.
• Individualised curriculum.
• Opportunity to combine multiple scientific disciplines.
• Suitable for interdisciplinary science interests.
• Strong emphasis on practical and applied science.
• Study can address land, water, air and natural-resource challenges.
• Core study includes Biological Sciences and Biometrics.
• Chemistry, earth/ecological science and environmental physics are available through the Individual List A.
• Students can develop a 300-level specialist focus.
• Course adviser support is provided when designing the individual major.
• Potential opportunity to add another major or minor.
• Lincoln's science programmes provide practical learning and research opportunities.

Career Outcomes

Lincoln specifically identifies the Bachelor of Science as preparing graduates for roles in:

• Environmental land management
• Conservation
• Restoration
• Scientific consultancy
• Local government
• Central government.

Depending on the individual major selected, potential career directions can also include:

• Environmental science
• Soil and land management
• Ecological consultancy
• Conservation science
• Animal science
• Plant science
• Genetics
• Environmental monitoring
• Natural-resource management
• Agricultural science
• Laboratory and research roles
• Environmental consulting.

Important academic requirements include:

• Passing at least 360 credits.
• Passing all compulsory courses.
• Completing at least 75 credits at 300 level.
• Completing at least 60 of the required 300-level credits from the specified Schedule A component.
• Completing no more than 165 credits at 100 level.
• Developing a coherent individual-major focus.
• Normally having at least three 300-level courses with the same prefix within the selected area of focus.
• Meeting the requirements for an approved BSc major/individual-major structure.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this full-time programme in New Zealand must hold an appropriate valid New Zealand visa.

For a new student, Lincoln states that the visa application requires:

• Offer of Place from Lincoln University.
• Evidence that tuition fees have been paid, normally a fee receipt.
• Valid passport.
• Digital photograph.
• Proof of funds for living expenses of NZ$20,000 per year.
• Evidence of funds for travel to the student's home country at the end of study, or an air ticket.
• Applicable visa application fee.

Students may also be asked to provide:

• Medical certificates.
• Chest X-ray.
• Police Certificate.
• Additional information if they will be under 18 when study begins.