Study Chemistry - Bachelor of Science

Study the Chemistry major in the Bachelor of Science and explore environmental, biological, organic, physical, inorganic, food and analytical chemistry.

Developing new products and processes, and experimenting with the make-up and behaviour of different chemicals are some of the challenges chemistry graduates get to take on. A degree in chemistry opens the door to a wide range of career options, both in and out of the laboratory.

You gain essential practical laboratory skills needed to be successful in scientific employment – here and overseas. AUT chemistry graduates have careers in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, petrochemicals, toiletries, plastics and polymers. There are also opportunities in the food and drink industry, health and medical organisations and scientific research organisations.

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This is part of the Bachelor of Science.

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With the Chemistry major you’ll develop an understanding of chemical properties and processes of chemical change, and practical skills in the synthesis and analysis of chemical systems. You’ll be also become familiar with the role of chemistry in contemporary issues of national and global significance.

Apart from the courses below you also need to complete courses from your second major, your chosen minor(s) or electives.*

*Depending on your chosen combination of majors and minors it may take you longer than three years to complete your degree.

Core courses

All Bachelor of Science students need to complete core courses that help you develop transferable skills and support your work in all other courses in the degree.

Choose one of:

And choose one natural sciences course

And one mathematical and computer sciences course

^Not offered in 2025
*Only available to students in the Analytics and Mathematical Modelling and Computation majors
#Please note that this course is designed for students with chemistry knowledge from high school. If you're unsure about your level of knowledge, you can take an optional pre-test here.

And one course from either the natural sciences or mathematical and computer science courses above.

Complete the following course:

  • SCIE606 Vision Mātauranga: Science Practice in Aotearoa

And one of:

In Year 3, you complete a project in an area related to your major. This project gives you an important competitive edge for your career, and is good preparation for postgraduate study.

Courses you complete for this project:

  • SCIE707 Science Capstone Project A
  • SCIE708 Science Capstone Project B

Chemistry courses

If you're majoring in chemistry, this is the main subject area you specialise in. It makes up one third of your degree and consists of eight chemistry-related courses you study throughout your degree.

Year 1 courses

  • CHEM501 Principles of Chemistry #
  • CHEM502 Biological and Solution Chemistry

Year 2 courses

Choose three from:

  • CHEM601 Inorganic Chemistry
  • CHEM602 Biochemistry
  • CHEM603 Organic Chemistry
  • CHEM605 Thermodynamics and Chemical Kinetics

Year 3 courses

Choose three from:

  • CHEM702 Advanced Analytical Chemistry
  • CHEM704 Organic Synthesis and Molecular Design
  • CHEM705 Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy*
  • CHEM706 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
  • CHEM707 Protein and Metabolic Chemistry

*Not offered in 2025.
#Please note that this course is designed for students with chemistry knowledge from high school. If you're unsure about your level of knowledge, you can take an optional pre-test here. 

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    Build your degree

    Use our online tool to build your own degree and see what your three years of study could look like.

    Build your degreeBuild your degreehttps://www.aut.ac.nz/courses/bachelor-of-science/chemistry-major

    Students who started at AUT before 2023

    If you started your studies at AUT before 2023, the courses you need to study to complete the requirements for your programme are a little different. Find out more about what courses you should take.

    View more

    Skills you will develop

    The outcomes for graduates of the Bachelor of Science are outlined in the Graduate Profile below.

    Graduate Profile

    Career opportunities if you study chemistry

    • Analytical chemist
    • Biotechnologist
    • Chemical engineer
    • Clinical scientist
    • Biochemist
    • Forensic scientist
    • Nanotechnologist
    • Pharmacologist
    • Laboratory technician
    • Toxicologist
    • Public service
    • Management consulting
    • Science communication
    • Science teacher*

    *After an additional year of teacher training

    The Chemistry major also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study in chemistry and disciplines like microbiology, biomedicine, food science or nanoscience.

    chemistry-041217-v4-1.jpg

    Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.

    Chemistry Careers

    Study Chemistry at AUT

    Video series: Chemistry Matters

    Join AUT's Professor Allan Blackman as he explains some of the fundamental concepts of chemistry to help you in your university studies.

    Watch videos

    Video series

    Key features
    • Develop skills relevant to a wide range of industries
    • Progressive environmental and food chemistry knowledge
    • Flexibility: tailor your degree with a second major, minor or electives of your choice
    • Complete an industry-related project in your final year
    See yourself as
    • Accurate and objective
    • Enquiring and observant
    • Analytical and creative
    • Organised with an eye for detail
    Phoenix Petelo
    Danielle Reeves
    Eden Holdaway-Young
    Marie Loraine Esekielu
    Phoenix Petelo
    Great graduatesPhoenix PeteloBachelor of ScienceFrom a young age he has been deeply fascinated by the core sciences, says Phoenix Petelo who is studying a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biological Science.From a young age he has been deeply fascinated by the core sciences, says Phoenix Petelo who is studying a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biological Science.
    Read full story
    Danielle Reeves
    Great graduatesDanielle ReevesBachelor of ScienceShe has long been interested in science, says Danielle Reeves who is currently in the third year of her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree.She has long been interested in science, says Danielle Reeves who is currently in the third year of her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree.
    Read full story
    Eden Holdaway-Young
    Great graduatesEden Holdaway-YoungTechnical Services Officer, Douglas PharmaceuticalsBachelor of ScienceThe variety of her work is what she loves most about working at Douglas Pharmaceuticals, says Eden Holdaway-Young who studied biomedical science and chemistry.The variety of her work is what she loves most about working at Douglas Pharmaceuticals, says Eden Holdaway-Young who studied biomedical science and chemistry.
    Read full story
    Marie Loraine Esekielu
    Great graduatesMarie Loraine EsekieluScience Teacher, McAuley High SchoolGraduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching
    Bachelor of Science    She had always wanted to gain a uni qualification to repay her parents for their hard work, says Marie Loraine Esekielu who came to AUT as an adult student.She had always wanted to gain a uni qualification to repay her parents for their hard work, says Marie Loraine Esekielu who came to AUT as an adult student.
    Read full story
    View all student profiles

    The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.

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