Zoology

The course is delivered at University Centre Myerscough and awarded by the University of Lancashire. The course will explore a wide range of zoology and animal science topics with an applied focus on broad themes around species ecology and biology, genetics, evolution and the latest global research. The course will prepare students for a wide range of careers throughout the zoological and animal industries.

The first year of the course provides an introduction to animal anatomy and physiology, behaviour, species ecology and evolution and biodiversity. The themes of species biology, wildlife legislation and policy, genetics and evolution and field research are further developed in the second year of the course. Students will also have the option to choose one module from animal population dynamics, global wildlife conservation, international zoo management or ecological survey techniques. In the final year of the course, students will complete a fieldwork module and a comprehensive research project alongside studying modules on zoological research and applied ecology.

Year 1

Animal Anatomy and Physiology

The module aims to enable the students to describe the natural anatomical and physiological mechanisms that control behaviour, reproduction and defence against disease and impact on an animal's welfare.

Introduction to Behavioural Ecology

This module examines the adaptive value of behaviour to enhance survival by exploiting resources, avoiding predators and maximising reproductive success. This module aims to explore the idea that behaviours are part of strategies to maximise reproductive success. The costs and benefits of alternative strategies to predict optimal strategies will be evaluated.

Practical Animal and Professional Skills

This module aims to develop student academic, cognitive, professional, industry, digital and transferable skills in order to help the transition from further to higher education and from dependent to independent learning. These skills will be developed in the subject specific context in conjunction with other modules and will underpin subsequent years of study. Through personal development, the module also aims to aid future graduate employability potential and will provide the foundation for further development through study on the 'Field Research and Analysis' module at Level 5 and 'Research Project' at Level 6.

Introduction to Ecology

This module aims to introduce students to the fundamentals of ecology. Students will become familiar with the range of biomes found on Earth and gain an understanding of the relationships between biotic and abiotic factors. Furthermore, they will also be introduced to a range of ecological methods and data analysis in field and laboratory settings. They will be encouraged to discuss and debate the impact of human interactions on the exploitation, modification and conservation of habitats.

Biodiversity and Evolution (Double Module)

This module aims to give students an introduction to the diverse nature of the living world through a consideration of the systems of classification of organisms and evolutionary theories. Students will study a range of plants, animals, fungi, protists and bacteria examining their similarities and differences and their evolutionary relationships. Throughout the module students will trace the patterns of morphological changes in the major groups of organisms in relation to evolutionary trends.

Year 2

Wildlife Legislation and Policy

Wildlife protection and the sustainable management of our natural heritage have become increasingly regarded as key policy aims for Government. However, the legal framework for wildlife management is complicated, frequently contradictory and criticised as overly prescriptive. Consequently, the law can actually create barriers to effective wildlife management, including the efficient implementation and enforcement of Government policy. This module will explore this vital and fascinating subject and equip students with the learning tools to help shape future wildlife policy and legislation.

Field Research and Analysis

The module examines experimental design and the validity of the findings. Students will explore how to design experiments so that the data collected can be assessed for accuracy and reliability. The appropriateness of a range of investigational methods will be explored together with suitable data analysis techniques. The module will enable students to develop a scientific approach to problem solving, which can act as a firm foundation for appraising research throughout their careers. They will gain an understanding of appropriate and inappropriate experimental design and this will enable a critical evaluation of investigational methodology and so enable the student to both conduct, and evaluate the quality of, investigations in their area of study.

Species Biology

This module will provide students with a general understanding of the biology of different living taxa, together with an introduction to major biological theories. The module will introduce the main themes and theories of biology, and examine the different evidence for evolution and natural selection. Students will examine the biology of the major groups of organisms. The module will also give students an overview of how organisms adapt to their environment and evidence of this having occurred.

Genetics and Evolution

The module will explore evolutionary theories and mechanisms of inheritance in the context of Mendelian inheritance patterns, cytogenetics and molecular genetics. Interspecies, intra-species and environmental interactions will be discussed in relation to the evolution of an ecosystem. Students will develop an appreciation of the application of the above theories to species conservation.

Animal Population Dynamics

The module will explore animal population dynamics building on knowledge and understanding from previous modules. Population dynamics will be discussed in the context of interspecies, intra-species and environmental interactions. Students will develop an appreciation of the complexity of establishing models for the assessment of animal population dynamics. Strategies will be explored to develop understanding of the necessity yet implausibility of generalisation in relation to successful planning and prediction of animal population dynamics.

Global Wildlife Conservation

This module aims to develop knowledge of global conservation initiatives and techniques to monitor and conserve wild species. The module will encourage the development of a critical understanding of the impact of conservation threats for endangered species and how these threats are controlled or minimised. Appreciation of anthropogenic threats and the practicality of implementing conservation strategies will be considered allowing for the development of critical thinking. This module will introduce national and international conservation conventions and legislation including the protection and harvesting of legal and illegal trade on endangered species and the implications for in situ conservation programmes.

Year 3

Research Project (Double Module)

The aims of this double-weighted module is to equip students with the ability to understand and define clearly a problem to be solved and extract relevant material from a literature survey. Also to develop the ability to design and undertake an original investigation and to further develop the ability to present, analyse and interpret results. Students should also develop the ability to present a coherent, critical account of the work and how it relates to that of others; develop management skills; achieve a measure of independence and integrate the different aspects of the course and will be provided with e an opportunity to develop a programme of supervised independent research leading to the presentation of a substantial written Project.

Advances in Behavioural Ecology

This module aims to develop and build on previously established concepts of behavioural ecology to expand on all key concepts, theories and hypothetical models used to examine the adaptive value of species behaviour. Students will be required to understand species and subspecies level taxonomic classification and subsequent adaptations and systems used to enhance species survival by resource exploitation and methods to maximise reproductive success. This module aims to explore specific complex behavioural strategies to maximise survival including hypothetical optimality models, social behaviour and communication and patterns of migration. Species-specific case studies will be used to critically assess the effectiveness of relevant behavioural strategies used to maximise survival and reproductive fitness with a cost and benefit analysis considered. The module will encourage independent study and the further development of critical interpretation and manipulation of key study findings. Current online resources will be used to examine various life history strategies of species residing within a fluctuating environment and of current population trends. Upon completion of the modules students should be able to discuss species characteristics of closely related and diverged taxa from converged taxa with reference to the different animal classes and orders.

Frontiers in Zoology

This module aims to examine and address zoological research developments and to understand recent theoretical progression within the field of zoology. The module will address modern day frontiers in zoology including advancing adaptive behaviour in response to adverse environments and anthropogenic factors including human-animal inference. Through the critical evaluation of zoological research, this module will investigate methods to observe behavioural adaptations including social behaviour for a range of taxa whilst developing skills for effective implementation of a range of research methods.

Applied Ecology

This module aims to provide students with a working knowledge of how ecological principles can be applied to help mitigate some of the ecological problems caused by changes in land use and urban development in the UK.. This will be shown through examples drawn from industries which manage and exploit the natural world, promoting production and profit often at the detriment of the environment. Topical case study material will, where appropriate, draw upon anthropogenic activities influencing ecosystems.

Field Work

This module provides an opportunity for students to engage in field-based activities and research relevant to their degree programme. It aims to:

• Permit detailed field-based investigation of course themes in one or more chosen locations;

• Extend theoretical and practical knowledge through fieldwork;

• Provide experience of devising, conducting and reporting on small-scale field investigation;

• Develop higher level field skills in observation, experimental design and data analysis and presentation.

https://www.ucmyerscough.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/animal-studies/bsc-hons-zoology/

Learning activities on the course are diverse, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions and workshops. Students are expected to undertake extensive independent study and research to support lectures, seminars and assessments. Group work and group presentations form an important part of the course. Students will have access to specialist IT hardware and software, an on-line learning environment and reference facility. Students will complete a variety of assessments including examinations and tests, practical assessments, essays, presentations, reports and group work.