Course summary

Zoology is a science dedicated to the study of animal life, and our degree provides a range of modules covering the different elements from animal behaviour to cellular processes and physiology, and from taxonomy and the diversity of animal life to evolution. This broad range of modules gives you the flexibility to focus on the topics that interest you. You will learn from our world-leading academics who bring their expertise into your lectures, practical work and small group tutorials. This will develop your understanding of the living world and how this knowledge can be applied to help address global environmental issues. Practical work doesn’t just take place in our state-of-the-art laboratories. You will also have the opportunity to participate in one of our exciting field trips which include local excursions to the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Bowland Fells, or residential trips to Doñana National Park in south west Spain, which is home to a plethora of plant, bird and animal species, including the world’s most endangered cat, the Iberian lynx. You can visit some of the UK’s last remaining natural habitats in rural Scotland, and witness a range of animals including red deer, osprey and golden eagles; or contribute to an expert-led study of the Rift Valley of Kenya, where you will evaluate the challenging balance between tropical conversation and human activity. In first year you will learn about the broad foundations of the subject with additional options to study either another area of biology or a subject from a different science. In Year two you will start to gain a deeper understanding of zoology at different levels as you begin to specialise in areas that interest you. Core modules include the study of evolution and vertebrate biology, and you will develop your research techniques in both the laboratory and the field. In third year you will take a core module in animal behaviour. You will complete your own research project either working with our internationally recognised academics or with an industry partner through our Enterprise and Business Partnerships team.