BSc Zoology

Zoology is the study of animal life at all levels, from genes and cells to populations and ecosystems, from individual behaviour to broad patterns of evolution and adaptation. We provide Zoology students with the opportunity to study the variety of animal life in all its richness. We believe that fundamental to an understanding of Zoology is an appreciation of the diversity of animal life, so each year there are specialised modules introducing animals at all levels of complexity, from the simplest forms through to birds and mammals.

Description:
You will acquire the wide range of scientific and technical skills needed to become a field or laboratory-based career zoologist. Staff specialise in topics such as animal conservation, genetics of insecticide resistance, evolutionary ecology, taxonomy and the behavioural and population ecology of aquatic invertebrates.

The first year introduces you to the basic scientific disciplines important in zoology and other branches of biology. In the second year, at least two thirds of your time is spent looking at groups of animals and concepts important in modern zoology. The final year allows you to choose from a diverse range of advanced courses, both laboratory and field-orientated, and also allows you to use your knowledge in a research project. Recent projects have included such diverse topics as 'host plant specificity in butterflies', 'foraging ecology of the red-barbed ant' and 'speciation in wild cats (Felis sp)'.

Year 1

Compulsory Modules

Ecology: Species and their Interactions
Mammals: Diversity, Behaviour and Conservation
Exploiters and Exploited
Genes and Chromosomes
The Living Cell
Practical Field Ecology
Students without AS or A level Chemistry, or an equivalent qualification, are required to take:
Fundamental Concepts in Chemistry

Optional Modules

Including
Introductory Microbiology
Digestion and Nutrition
Biochemistry and Metabolism
Human Physiology
Countryside and the Environment

Year 2

Compulsory Modules
Evolutionary Biology
Vertebrate Zoology
Invertebrate Zoology
Animal Behaviour
Introduction to Entomology
Birds: Diversity, Behaviour and Conservation
Statistics for Life Sciences
Science Communication
Zoology Field Course OR Tropical Biology Field Course

Optional Modules

including:

Life and Death of a Cell
Molecular Biology of the Gene: Expression, Function and Analysis
Animal, Plant and Microbial Development
Habitat Management
Genetic Data Analysis
Immunology

Final Year
In your final year, you undertake a research project on a relevant topic and it is possible to do this at other institutions, including some European universities through the SOCRATES/ERASMUS programme.

Compulsory Modules
Research Project
Animal Diversity

Optional Modules
including:

Conservation Biology
Evolutionary Genetics and Phylogeny
Behavioural Ecology and Life History Theory
Research Topics in Ecology
Forensic Biology
Animal Welfare
Wildlife in the Farming Environment
Biodiversity Informatics
Mammalian Reproduction
Forensic Zoology
Captive Animal Management