Zoology (with Sandwich Year)

Wildlife is an important part of all our lives. If you have a passion for learning about animals, animal care and animal management, and are wondering how to become a zoologist, this exciting and hands-on BSc Zoology course will prepare you for a future defending the planet.

Zoology covers all aspects of animal biology and, as such, a fascinating range of topics. Our strong links with animal and wildlife organisations provide excellent work placement opportunities, which means you could be studying anything from brown bears to snow leopards to dolphins.

Our zoology degree course has been designed by professional zoologists with a real understanding of what the world needs and, likewise, what you need to study to launch your career in zoology. With plenty of opportunities for volunteering alongside organisations such as Cumbria Wildlife Trust, your CV will gain the competitive edge it needs to stay ahead.

Course Overview
On this zoology degree, you’ll gain an understanding of wildlife monitoring techniques using professional kit, and cover a broad range of topics including evolution, ecology and conservation, with visits to a variety of habitats.

There will be plenty of opportunities for voluntary work with organisations such as Cumbria Wildlife Trust on our zoology course, boosting your CV and giving you hands-on experience across a range of species including butterflies, adders and birds. Our practical focused degree will equip you with not only the knowledge, but the real skills and confidence to become a zoologist.

On this course you will...

• Explore local nature reserves, rivers and woodland just a stone's throw from the university. Develop practical skills with first-hand experience.

• Study zoology with access to state-of-the-art labs on campus - a great place to collaborate with course-mates, learn about animals and work with top-quality equipment.

• Benefit from industry links that provide students with placement opportunities across Cumbria.

• Experience practical demonstrations, visits, and feedback from professionals.

• Have a place within the zoology society that meets weekly to assist in local conservation initiatives and discuss current concerns regarding zoology.

What You Will Learn
Zoology covers all aspects of animal biology and, as such, covers a fascinating range of often highly diverse topics. The modern zoologist needs to be the master of many disciplines. Our degree course has been designed by professional zoologists with a real understanding of what the world needs from zoologists and what zoologists need to pursue a professional career. It mirrors closely the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Biosciences.

In addition to the formal background knowledge all zoologists require, our degree allows you to explore more specialist areas. To encompass the main patterns of employment, you are given the flexibility to focus on a “whole animal” or a “bits of animals” approach. The latter provides the skills required to pursue laboratory and experimental pathways such as disease research, DNA technologies and wildlife forensics. The “whole animal” pathway trains you to become proficient in the identification and study of wild animals, especially British.

Year one

• Vertebrate Zoology

• Invertebrate Zoology

• Ecology for Zoologists

• Animal Form and Function

• Animal Conservation Practice

• Core Zoology

Year two

• Exploring Research

• Zoological Monitoring Techniques

• Animal Behaviour

• Evolution and Biogeography

• British Wildlife

• Applied Zoology

• Placement Qualificatory Unit

Year three

• Placement Qualifactory Unit

Year four

• Dissertation

• Professional Skills in Zoology

• Behavioural Ecology

• Entomology and Parasitology (Optional)

• Behavioural Applications for Conservation (Optional)

• Population and Community Ecology (Optional)

Assessments are arranged to avoid overwhelming students. Throughout your course, you may apply your knowledge through exams, lab reports, critical analysis, presentations, and group work.

These assessments have been designed to match closely with employability needs. Analysis of zoological data, writing of formal reports and careful design of scientific methods particularly with regards to animal surveying are all key transferable skills, which translate into a range of careers in biological sciences.

Formal work is assessed throughout the degree, and you are encouraged to keep lab books that contain working documents of lab practicals, observations, and illustrations of dissection work for example.

Personal development and reflective practice will take place throughout the programme and will be implemented through a wide range of activities (both formative and summative) as well as via the personal tutorial process