Zoology

What will I learn?

This course is designed to enable you to tailor your studies into areas of particular interest. You will be able to focus either on the whole animal, population and conservation biology, or on more applied aspects of Zoology such as parasitology.

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the four year degree scheme.

In your first year you will cover subjects relating to:

• The diversity of life on Earth from unicellular organisms to the multicellular invertebrates and vertebrates, relating form to function and the key evolutionary events that have occurred.
• The fundamental principles of ecology and the relationships between species covering energy transfer, intra and inter-species interactions, resource utilisation etc.
• The importance of plants as primary producers, their morphology, physiology and ecological adaptations.
• The principles of genetics from molecules to populations and species.
• The structure and function of eukaryotic cells and the chemistry of molecules within cells.
• Wildlife forensics utilising forensic entomology and ecotoxicology, and the use of DNA ‘barcoding’ help solve wildlife crime.
• You may also undertake subjects related to the major environmental process on Earth that have influenced flora and fauna, the history of our understanding of Biology and how it has developed over time, and the diversity of microbial life and their importance as pathogens, mutualists and within the ecosystem.

In your second year you will explore:

• Invertebrate and vertebrate biology covering their evolution, physiology, ecology etc.
• Evolution of organisms including speciation, phylogenetics and population genetics.
• Animal behaviour including its function, causation, development and evolution.
• The principles and practice of a range of basic quantitative and qualitative procedures, data analysis, interpretation and evaluation.
• You may also undertake subjects related to species conservation and habitat management, the role of zoological gardens for animal conservation, and a field trip to Peru.
• There are also opportunities to enhance your employability skills by taking your second year at a European institution (ERASMUS exchange) or North America. Or you can take a year in employment between your second and third years.

In your third year you will be taught detail on:

• Behavioural physiology, detailing the mechanisms which underpin behaviour and advance behaviours including orientation and navigation.
• Population ecology focussing on the models used to account for the distribution and abundance of organisms.
• A compulsory dissertation under the supervision of a member of the Zoology teaching staff.
• You may also undertake subjects related to wildlife conservation and the importance of genetics in conserving species, parasitology covering the diversity of parasites and their potential to cause disease, the current and future threats to species and ecosystems, and animal welfare including the behavioural and physiological traits associated with pain and stress.

In your final year you may study;

• Frontiers in the Biosciences
• Your MBiol research project
• Field and Laboratory Techniques 

How will I be taught? 

The course will be delivered through a balanced programme of lectures, student-led seminars, laboratory practical classes and one-to-one tutoring for the final year research project. In addition, there will be problem-based learning scenarios; case studies; literature based research; computer-assisted learning; and work experience to support the teaching and learning. You will receive thorough training in zoological concepts and practical scientific methods. 

How will I be assessed? 

You will be assessed through numerous methods including essays, practical exercises, oral presentations, worksheets, reports, dossiers, posters, portfolios, reflective diaries, literature reviews, magazine articles, field notebooks and exams. You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree course, who will help you with any problems or queries, whether these are academic-related or personal issues. You should feel free to contact them at any time for help and advice.