Course summary

This course spans evolution, genetics and behaviour, through to the biodiversity and climate crises. You’ll learn about microbes, invertebrates, birds, fish, mammals and humans, while putting your skills and knowledge into practice in the lab and the field. Study animals and biodiversity at every scale, both in the lab and in the field, as you learn how animals function, how to conserve biodiversity and how evolution works. Sheffield's project-focused degree in zoology is a deep dive into biodiversity, conservation, animal behaviour, genetics, physiology, and the impact of climate change. From your first year you’ll study a range of zoology focused modules, with the freedom to explore optional topics from across the whole of bioscience. You’ll study topics across genetics, microbiology, evolution and biochemistry. At Sheffield, you’ll be encouraged to be creative, think independently, and express your ideas. You'll be in the lab completing in-depth practicals and studying animal anatomy and physiology in our Alfred Denny Museum. You might also choose to do field research projects in the Peak District National Park, or travel for a field course in the UK or abroad. As you progress through your degree, you’ll have the option to specialise in key areas such as biodiversity conservation, evolutionary biology, genetics and ecological modelling. Your ability to tackle one or more of these big global challenges will be supported by the field course options, so you start making a difference even during your degree. Why study this course?

• 4th in the UK for research quality - the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 rated 98% of research and impact from the School of Biosciences as world-leading or internationally excellent.

• State-of-the-art facilities - Controlled Environment Facility, Zebrafish facility, Drosophila facility, Bradfield Environment Centre and more.

• Make the course your own - focus on specific areas like animal behaviour or biodiversity, or cover the full range of zoology.

• Varied learning environments - you’ll be in the lab, the Peak District, zoos, aquariums and embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime field course in the UK or abroad.