Massey University offers world-leading and unique programmes across our specialities. Our agriculture programme is no.1 in New Zealand according to global rankings and we offer the only veterinary programme in New Zealand ranked in the top 25 in the world.
Massey University demands excellence in our sciences-related research. The College of Sciences brings together experts from several disciplines to further knowledge and make a difference in New Zealand and the world.
Our programmes are ranked as some of the best in the world, and we are accredited by major industry bodies internationally. Below is a selection of accreditations for sciences at Massey.
Massey is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 50 universities for agriculture. QS is an organisation that ranks universities worldwide in various topics.
The Bachelor of Engineering with Honours programme has accreditation from Engineering NZ as a professional engineering degree under the Washington Accord. This allows our graduates to work internationally.
The Massey veterinary programme is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as 29th in the world. QS is an organisation that ranks universities worldwide in various topics.
Massey is ranked in the world's top 200 universities for built environment in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings.
The Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours programme is approved by the US-based Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).
Massey University is an accredited veterinary college by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Accreditation is achieved through a review process conducted by an external review panel of practitioners and academics that verifies that the program meets the Requirements of an Accredited College of Veterinary Medicine.
Professor Geor is an internationally-recognised veterinary and agricultural science specialist, with expertise in equine medicine, nutrition and sport science. After spending nearly 30 years teaching and researching in America, he returned to New Zealand to take up the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor College of Sciences in 2015.
Professor Hall is the Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) for the College of Sciences. His expertise is in chemistry. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry he was a founding principal investigator in the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology.
Professor Brunton is the head of School of Natural and Computational Sciences
Her research expertise is in social behaviour and the evolution and ecology of animal communication with her main research interest in the evolution of song.
A professor of postharvest technology, Professor Heyes' research background is in cell physiology, with more recent research focusing on connecting science to growth of the horticulture sector based on novel, high-value niche products.
Professor Huxley joined Massey University in May 2018, from the University of Nottingham. His research expertise is in dairy cow health and endemic diseases of dairy cattle, particularly lameness and the impact of the housed environment on animal health and welfare.
Professor Kemp is head of the School of Agriculture and Environment, one of the largest departments in the College. His areas of expertise lie in evaluation of herb pastures and agroforestry.
Professor Plieger is currently the acting Head of the School for the School of Fundamental Sciences. He is a trained inorganic synthetic chemist specialising in ligand design, synthesis and functionality.
Professor Sutrisna has an extensive body of academic research as well as university leadership and practical experience as a leader in the construction industry in the UK, Australia and Indonesia.
Claire works to leverage the College’s capability, networks, facilities and knowledge platforms in order to create a better future for New Zealand and the world. Claire is your contact if you are an organisation that wishes to work with the College of Sciences.
Professor Lockhart has been working closely with Pacific Island nations since 2004. HIs experience includes being the instigator of the UNESCO UNITWIN Network to create opportunities for Pacific Island students and co-supervision of several Pacific Island students.
My degrees have opened doors and given me wonderful opportunities in this sector.
Hannah Bruce
Business Manager - Landcorp Farming
Bachelor of AgriCommerce (Farm Management)
I came to Massey because it has a great reputation as being a leader in the agriculture industry. Studying at Massey was a fantastic experience. The lecturers were always available to assist us and the mix of practice and theory meant we gained rounded knowledge of each topic.
Dana Muir
Agribusiness New Zealand
Bachelor of AgriCommerce (International Agribusiness)
I love the land and grew up in Mangatainoka wanting to be a builder. When I left school, I became a dairy farmer and now I am combining my interests.
Kiri Symonds
Bachelor of AgriCommerce (Māori Agribusiness)
The best part of Massey, in particular plant science, is how passionate the lecturers are about their subjects.
Emily Smith
PhD candidate
Bachelor of Science (Plant Science)
My degrees at Massey gave me a good understanding the main components agricultural science – climate, soils, plants and animals – and how they interact
Todd White
Business Manager, Lower North Island, FarmIQ Systems Limited
Bachelor of AgriScience
Massey is recognised as a top agricultural university and offers a vast range of papers.
Georgia Gavin
Bachelor of AgriCommerce (International Agribusiness)
I’ve been given unique opportunities and worked with a variety of species; from llamas to the iconic kiwi bird.
Jamie Lange
Clinical veterinarian
Bachelor of Veterinary Science
The best thing about Massey's program is the emphasis on general veterinary medicine. It’s so important to be familiar with all species as you never know where life is going to take you.
Christie Balcomb
Large Animal Internal Medicine Resident at UC Davis
Bachelor of Veterinary Science
My study experience was flawless! I really enjoyed University life, because I was finally learning something that I was very passionate about. The University environment (and the lecturers) provided a very conducive, supportive and encouraging learning environment.
Magdeline Soo
Veterinarian
Bachelor of Veterinary Science
My lifelong goal to become a veterinarian led me on the journey of a lifetime, to Massey University vet school in New Zealand.
Ren Garcia
Founder and Owner of Pet Mobile Vet
Bachelor of Veterinary Science
The thing I enjoyed most once I had started my studies were the people. The lecturers were friendly, approachable, and represent people I aspire to be.
Kyle Taylor
Master's student
Bachelor of Information Sciences (Double major in Information Technology and Computer Science)
My degree taught me the foundations of programming and how to be able to pick up any language/area efficiently.
Nicole Wilcox
Graduate Software Engineer, ASB
Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)
My time at Massey was really worthwhile and I picked up a number of life skills including time management, people skills, research techniques and study skills, all of which are still useful to me in my everyday work.
David Lasike
Bachelor of Information Sciences (Double major in Computer Science and Information Technology)
A degree in chemistry from Massey University is held in high esteem internationally.
Anushree Sen Gupta
Senior Technician, AsureQuality
Bachelor of Science (Chemistry)
The opportunity to work with new technologies such as laser cutters and 3d printers, as well as working on multi-disciplinary team projects, meant I was able to build a very strong portfolio and also develop new technical skills.
Jonathan Sng
Product Development Engineer, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
Bachelor of Engineering with Honours
The academy, set up by Massey University with Te Puni Kōkiri and Our Land and Water National Science Challenge support, fosters young Maori school pupils from Year 11 on their journey through to university, and ultimately the workforce. The programme works to engage with teachers and whanau to support the students’ science study in the Manawatū and Bay of Plenty and to build a wider community of Pūhoro students who share their passion for science.
A full day programme for those thinking about studying agriculture, horticulture, environmental animal science. Visit campus, find out about our farms and facilities and take part in hands-on activities.
Year 11-13 high school students will learn about the reality of careers in science, technology, engineering, animals and agriculture. Staff, students, recruiters, and others in the industry will give an insight into their journey into their careers and there will be the opportunity to ask questions in a friendly and relaxed environment.
Year 11-13 high school students will learn about the reality of careers in Computer, Information and Data Science. Staff, students, recruiters, and others in the industry will give an insight into their journey into their careers and there will be the opportunity to ask questions in a friendly and relaxed environment.
Come along to hear more about the reality of careers in food technology. Industry professionals, Massey students and lecturers will give an insight into their journey into their careers and there will be the opportunity to ask questions in a friendly and relaxed environment.
Year 11-13 high school students will learn about the reality of careers in food technology and engineering. Staff, students, recruiters, and others in the industry will give an insight into their journey into their careers and there will be the opportunity to ask questions in a friendly and relaxed environment.
This event is for those thinking about studying technology to find out more about current careers in Tech during Techweek 2020. Family members are encouraged to attend.
Coinciding with Techweek, this event will showcase cutting-edge research and innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Science. There will be inspirational and engaging presentations from speakers from Massey and nearby industry, as well as displays of current Massey projects.
A session tailored for students and their whānau to interact with Massey staff and students about studying Construction Management and Quantity Surveying. We will discuss study options and job prospects. Schools and community groups can contact us to arrange a session for us to come to you.
If you are interested in coming onto campus to learn about our computer and information sciences programme, please register your interest. Activities could include visiting campus, finding out about our facilities and taking part in hands-on activities.
This is a full day programme for those who are thinking about studying engineering. You will visit our campus and the engineering area, and get a taste of what studying engineering is like. Find out about our engineering programmes from Massey students and lecturers.
A session tailored for high school students to get a better understanding of engineering. This is a 45min – 1 hour hands-on group session with Massey students and staff, where you can explore what studying at Massey is like. Teachers and Careers advisors can contact us to arrange a session at your school.
Come and hear from some of the leading minds in science today. Massey University Auckland scientists take you into the fascinating world of scientific discoveries.
A full day programme for those thinking about studying food technology or food process engineering. Visit campus, find out about our facilities and take part in hands-on activities.
A session tailored for high school students to get a better understanding of food technology. This is a 45min – 1 hour hands-on group session with Massey students and staff, where you can explore what studying at Massey is like. Teachers and Careers advisors can contact us to arrange a session at your school.
A full day programme for those thinking about studying food technology or food process engineering. Visit campus, find out about our facilities and take part in hands-on activities.
A mentored programme for students who would like to pursue computer science through the medium of games. The overall programme will run over six weeks, where Year 12 students enter as teams with a mentor (an undergraduate or postgraduate Massey student) and come on campus for a two-day workshop in the holidays.
A full day programme for those thinking about studying mechatronics or robotics. Visit campus, find out about our facilities and take part in hands-on activities.
As a Year 13 science student you will get hands on experience using pipettors, setting up a restriction digest of plasmid DNA, gel electrophoresis and exposure to plasmid restriction mapping. Massey will provide all equipment and safety gear needed for the lab. Students can bring their lunch or purchase lunch from any of the food outlets on campus.
Two tutorials (each two hours long) held for students ahead of their NCEA Level 3 Organic Chemistry exam.
Open Days at Massey University are your chance to explore your future options. They give you an insight into study areas, accommodation, student life and more.
Open Days are typically held around August each year on each of our campuses.
The Forder Lectures are an annual series, given by a mathematician from the UK who tours NZ visiting all the universities. The talk is hosted by Massey University's School of Fundamental Sciences.
This year's speaker is Dr Julia Wolf, a university lecturer in the Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics at the University of Cambridge.
Some examples of the funding and recognition for College of Sciences staff and their work.
A Massey University engineering team won its category at a global competition in New York City for an air-quality project.
PhD students Baden Parr and Tyrel Glass, Bachelor of Engineering Honours graduates Madhav Kruthiventy and Darryn Wells.
Keysight Technologies (US)
A new model for studying cancer biology and regenerative medicine has been awarded a $150,000 Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) Explorer Grant.
Dr Tracy Hale, Associate Professor Vyacheslav Filichev and Professor Geoff Jameson
Health Research Council
A project led by Associate Professor Jennifer Tate received $929,000 for a project to determine if there are genomic "rules" to successful polyploid speciation.
Associate Professor Jennifer Tate
Royal Society Te Apārangi
A project to undertake a nationwide case-control study of the disease leptospirosis was awarded $1,199,841 from the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) in 2018. Massey's Associate Professor Jackie Benschop is Principal Investigator on this multi-university project.
Associate Professor Jackie Benschop
Health Research Council of New Zealand
Associate Professor Georg Zellmer was awarded $832,000 from the Royal Society's Marsden Fund for the project 'Water in spinel: a robust hygrometer for the Earth and Planetary Sciences'.
Associate Professor Georg Zellmer
Royal Society Te Apārangi
Associate Professor Gert Lube received $948,000 for research using Massey University's pyroclastic flow eruption simulator facility to investigate pyroclastic density currents.
Associate Professor Gert Lube
Royal Society Te Apārangi
Associate Professor Karen Stockin was appointed to the role of strandings coordinator within the Strandings Initiative at the International Whaling Commission.
Dr Karen Stockin
International Whaling Commission
Distinguished Professor Harjinder Singh was the the first New Zealander to receive the 2018 American Dairy Science Association Distinguished Service Award. The award recognises unusually outstanding and consistent contributions to the welfare of the dairy industry.
Distinguished Professor Harjinder Singh
American Dairy Science Association
Distinguished Professor Paul Moughan has been honoured with a Supreme Silver Medal from Wageningen University and Research Centre, one of the Netherlands' top universities.
Professor Moughan, a Fellow Laureate of the Riddet Institute, has a long and distinguished career in protein science both at Massey and at Wageningen, where he spends time working and teaching every year.
Distinguished Professor Paul Moughan
Wageningen University
Distinguished Professor Peter Schwerdtfeger and Dr Elke Pahl were awarded $910,000 from the Royal Society's of New Zealand's Marsden Fund to explore and extend the periodic table of elements towards the super-heavy region.
Distinguished Professor Peter Schwerdtfeger and Dr Elke Pahl
Royal Society Te Apārangi
Distinguished Professor Peter Schwerdtfeger has been awarded the Dan Walls medal by the New Zealand Institute of Physics. The award is presented annually to a physicist working in New Zealand for at least ten years who is deemed to have made the greatest impact both nationally and internationally in his or her field of research.
Peter Schwerdtfeger
New Zealand Institute of Physics
Dr Cami Sawyer was awarded a tertiary teaching award in 2019 from Ako Aotearoa, the National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence.
Dr Cami Sawyer
Ako Aotearoa, the National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence
Dr Carl Mesarich was awarded $300,000 from the Royal Society's Marsden Fund for the research project 'Making the switch: cell surface modifications that enable plant-pathogenic fungi to differentiate and maintain infection-related cellular morphotypes during host colonization'
Dr Carl Mesarich
Royal Society Te Apārangi
Dr David Aguirre, Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, will develop a novel unified framework for reef ecosystems, and examine the forces governing transitions in the dominant species found on temperate and tropical reefs.
His research focuses on understanding how rapid change in the global climate over the last century affects marine biodiversity and, in turn, human populations.
Dr David Aguirre
Royal Society Te Apārangi
Dr David Simpson, along with Professor Paul Glendinning of the University of Manchester, received $500,000 for the project 'Organised chaos: Using geometry to explain robust chaotic dynamics in switched dynamical systems'.
Dr David Simpson
Royal Society Te Apārangi
The College of Sciences has developed close relationships with industry across our areas of expertise.
We work with our partners on industry-relevant research and professional development and match final year students in some areas with companies to work on real world projects. Talk to us to find out how you can work with the College.
Massey University’s Auckland campus is in Albany on the North Shore of Auckland. College of Sciences are based on the main campus in the Mathematical Sciences building, with food technology, engineering and much of natural sciences on the nearby Otehe Rohe campus.
Massey University’s Manawatū campus is in Palmerston North. The College of Sciences is based in the Science Towers off the central concourse, Aghort buildings, Riddet Complex and other buildings around campus.
