Applied Zoology

Is your ambition to understand animals in the context of their place in ecosystems? If you are interested in learning about the diversity of animal life on the planet, gaining practical skills in animal husbandry and understanding the impact that humans are having on wild animals, a degree in Applied Zoology is for you.

It is more important than ever to understand animals in the context of their place in ecosystems, so this course combines more traditional animal studies with more hands-on field work and animal care.

You will study all aspects of animal biology, from behaviour and ecology to physiology and welfare. You will be able to apply this knowledge in a variety of practical situations: animal husbandry, labs and field work. There is also a focus on wild animal health which explores diseases in animals from a global scale to the animals in rescue and rehabilitation centres.

Teaching staff on our Applied Zoology degree bring their wealth of experience from working in zoos, ecological consultancy and conservation expeditions to the lecture theatre. Their first-hand knowledge will give you an insight into the type of careers you could pursue, and the opportunity to explore your interests in more depth.

In the first year of your BSc (Hons) Applied Zoology degree, you will gain an insight into both conservation biology and animal husbandry, combining hands on practical experience with a range of exotic animals with an insight into their lives in the wild. You will develop your knowledge of behaviour and physiology as a foundation for later specialisms.

During your second year, you will further explore the animal in its environment, studying physiological adaptations and behavioural ecology. Together with the study of insects, you will have the option of focusing on zoo animals or wild animals.

For your final year, you have ample opportunity to tailor the programme to your own interests, selecting animal groups of interest, and discussing current issues in the areas of wildlife conservation or human animal interactions.

A core component of the course is the completion of an undergraduate dissertation, enabling you to research an area of zoological study that interests you and to develop a wide range of transferable skills.

From this course, you could progress into further research, such as a MSc or PhD programme, or move into industry. The skills you would gain would enable you to pursue a career as a zoologist, conservation researcher, animal technician, science writer, or wildlife rehabilitator. You could work in governmental organisations or NGOs such as the RSPB or Wildlife Trusts, or become learning or research officers for zoos or wildlife parks.

Course Features

• Access to our on-site zoo, home to over 1,000 animals and 150 species including ring-tailed lemurs, porcupines, marmosets, otters, capybaras, owls, bearded dragons, kingsnakes, dart frogs, marine fish and much more

• Applied teaching of wildlife health and rehabilitation

• Transferable skills in laboratory techniques

• Overseas field courses to a range of localities including Kenya and European countries

Career Options

• Zoologist

• Conservation researcher

• Animal technician

• Science writer

• Wildlife rehabilitator

• Zoo learning officer

Year 1
Introduction to Scientific Communication
Evolution and Adaptation
Introduction to Animal Behaviour
Comparative Functional Anatomy and Physiology
Conservation Biology and Biodiversity
Animal Husbandry and Handling ·

Year 2
Experiential Learning
Research Methods
Behavioural Ecology
Wildlife Health and Rehabilitation
Entomology
Animal Ecophysiology *
Laboratory and Professional Skills for the Biosciences *

Year 3
Dissertation
Exotic Animal Health and Nursing Care
Animal Cognition
Anthrozoology*
Applied Issues in Wildlife Conservation*
Biology and Conservation of Birds*
Biology and Conservation of Herpetofauna*
Biology and Conservation of Mammals*

• Optional modules

We design a wide range of assessments that will help you to develop industry standard skills and knowledge. In your first year, the assessments consist of a combination of timed online assessments, of multiple-choice questions and short essays, practical assessments and presentations and written coursework. This written coursework can be in the form of reports, essays or posters, depending on the module. For Husbandry and Handling, there are assessed practical sessions, reflections and talks. For Scientific Data Analysis, there are quizzes based on the application of statistical software.

In your second year, there will be some variation, depending on the optional modules chosen, but there will again be a combination of timed online assessments and written coursework. This coursework may take the form of essays or case studies, or be based on laboratory practical sessions. For Experiential Learning, you may be creating a reflective blog, while for Research Methods, you will be writing a proposal and using statistical software to analyse data.

In your third year, the dissertation is assessed through a written proposal and scientific article which represents the research carried out by the student. Other assessments include a species management plan for the Biology and Conservation modules, and a seminar for Anthrozoology.

The balance of assessment by examination and assessment by coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by coursework is as follows:
Year 1
40% coursework
35% online timed assessments
15% practical assessments

Year 2
70% coursework
15% online timed assessments
15% practical assessments

Year 3
65% coursework
20% timed online assessments
15% practical assessments