Zoology

Explore and understand the diversity of animal biology – from amoebae to zebras, and from world-class zoos to the rainforests of Africa and beyond.

Develop the scientific training and practical skills you need for a career in wildlife conservation, environmental consultancy or in zoos.

Learn hands-on zoology skills in specialist labs in Cambridge, take part in cutting-edge research, and study zoology in marine and terrestrial systems. You’ll build a skill set in anatomy and physiology, behaviour, genetics, ecology and evolution, and the importance of wildlife conservation.

As part of your studies, you'll go on a range of field trips around the UK and beyond. Learn more about tropical ecology and conservation, zoo design, and field biology.

As well as offering unforgettable experiences, field trips provide essential practical experience.

Why ARU?

• Get hands-on using equipment in the SuperLab, part of our Science Centre in Cambridge.

• Take part in field trips around the UK, with the added opportunity to study ecology and conservation in the tropics, and zoos in the Netherlands.

• Study a course developed in line with industry standards, with accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology.

• Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; run with local employers such as the Wildlife Trust and Cambridge City Council.

• Apply for internships supporting research and gain valuable employment experience, or opt for a placement year.

Course Modules

Year 1

• Animal Physiology and Behaviour (30 credits)

• Introduction to Ecology and Conservation (30 credits)

• Principles of Biology (30 credits)

• Quantitative Techniques and Tools for Biologists (30 credits)

• Personal and Professional Development - Level 4

• Into ARU

Year 2

• Invertebrate Biology (15 credits)

• Vertebrate Biology (15 credits)

• Principles of Genetics and Evolution (15 credits)

• Ruskin Module (15 credits)

• Biological Research Skills (15 credits)

• Field Skills in Biology (15 credits)

• GIS and Spatial Ecology (15 credits)

• Professional and Personal Development - Level 5

• Animal Health and Disease (15 credits) *

• Evolutionary Bases of Behaviour (15 credits) *

Year 3

• Undergraduate Major Project (30 credits)

• Comparative Ecophysiology (15 credits)

• Wildlife Conservation (15 credits)

• Population Ecology and Wildlife Management (15 credits) *

• Tropical Ecology and Management (15 credits) *

• Behavioural Ecology (15 credits) *

• Biogeography (15 credits) *

• Zoos and Zoo Animal Management (15 credits) *

• Professional Field Ecology (15 credits) *

• Sustainable Land Management (15 credits) *

• Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare (15 credits) *

• Human-Animal Interactions (15 credits) *

• Cognition, Evolution and Behaviour (15 credits) *

*optional

Throughout the course, we’ll use a range of assessment methods to help you measure your progress. Besides exams, these include essays, practical reports, computer-based assessments, presentations, debates, classroom- or laboratory-based tests, and reviews of scientific papers.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Royal Society of Biology