Why Study / Key Benefits

• Integrative Plant Biology is designed for students interested in understanding how plants function, interact with their environment and can be used to address challenges in food production, biodiversity, sustainability and plant-based innovation.
• The major integrates plant biology, genetics and ecology, providing a pathway towards plant science, conservation, horticulture and plant breeding.
• Students gain experience across laboratory, field and industry-oriented learning.
• The qualification is aligned with issues such as food security, climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable land use.
• The programme combines scientific knowledge with practical experience, making it relevant to both industry employment and postgraduate study.
• Students complete practical work experience as part of the qualification, providing exposure to professional horticulture/plant-science environments.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Bachelor of Horticultural and Plant Systems has a flexible structure comprising a common core, a major and electives.

Core study includes subjects such as:

• Plants for Agriculture and Horticulture
• Plant Biology
• Plants and People
• Agricultural and Horticultural Statistics
• Precision Agriculture Technologies
• Topics in Agronomy
• Horticultural Productivity and Quality
• Understanding Plant Protection
• Students can also select from areas including soil fertility, agricultural and horticultural infrastructure, policy and regulation, human resources, plant diversity, entomology and applied engineering.

Integrative Plant Biology comprises 225 credits. The published major schedule includes study in areas such as:

• Plant, Cell and Environment
• Plant Diversity
• Plant Improvement
• Chemistry for Modern Sciences
• Plant genetics and related biological sciences
• Ecology and environmental interactions
• Plant physiology
• Plant development
• Plant responses to environmental stresses
• Plant breeding and improvement

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Bachelor of Horticultural and Plant Systems currently has two majors:

• Horticultural Production
• Integrative Plant Biology.

Integrative Plant Biology is the plant-science-focused major and integrates:

• Plant biology
• Plant physiology
• Genetics
• Plant improvement
• Ecology
• Plant diversity
• Environmental biology
• Plant-environment interactions
• Horticultural and agricultural plant science.

Programme Highlights

• 360-credit undergraduate qualification.
• NZQF Level 7.
• Three years full-time.
• Manawat? campus and distance/online options.
• Two major choices within the qualification.
• Integrative Plant Biology combines plant biology, genetics and ecology.
• Strong emphasis on sustainable plant systems.
• Laboratory and field-based learning.
• 26 weeks of approved practical work experience.
• Opportunities to develop knowledge relevant to plant breeding, conservation, horticulture, environmental management and plant-based innovation.
• Suitable foundation for postgraduate study in plant breeding, horticulture, plant science, ecology, conservation and biological sciences.

Career Outcomes

Massey identifies a broad range of potential careers for Integrative Plant Biology graduates, including:

• Field biologist
• Botanist
• Plant breeder
• Ecological consultant
• Laboratory technician
• Forestry scientist
• Plant geneticist
• Horticulture science consultant
• Crop disease and pest control agent
• Horticulture technology and innovation specialist
• Biosecurity agent
• Agronomist
• Organic production specialist
• Policy, regulation and advocacy specialist
• Educator.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The qualification was revised and renamed from the Bachelor of Horticultural Science to the Bachelor of Horticultural and Plant Systems from 2026, with Integrative Plant Biology introduced as one of the two new majors.
• The current qualification therefore reflects Massey's updated plant-systems focus rather than the older Bachelor of Horticultural Science structure.
• Students must complete at least 26 weeks of approved practical work experience.
• Contact workshops, block courses, field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials or laboratories may be required where specified by the relevant courses.
• Practical experience is therefore an important programme requirement even for students who select distance/online study.
• Massey recommends that international students apply at least three months before their intended start date to allow time for application processing, visa arrangements and travel. 

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying this programme in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires students to:

• Have an Offer of Place from an approved education provider.
• Have sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or hold an appropriate scholarship.
• Have sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Have a genuine reason for studying in New Zealand.
• Hold acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Demonstrate that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.
• Maintain satisfactory attendance and academic progress while studying.