Zoology with a Year in Industry

Zoology is at the core of our understanding of the natural world. At Swansea University, you will enjoy unique opportunities to dedicate yourself to the scientific study of animals, from their physiology and anatomy, ecology and behaviour, to their evolution and conservation. You will acquire the skills needed to play a major role in many sectors, from terrestrial and marine biology to agriculture, conservation, medicine and veterinary science.

Our Zoology undergraduate programme is designed to equip you with the scientific expertise and transferable skills needed to make meaningful contributions towards solving current environmental and societal challenges. The breadth of the curriculum allows you to develop a broad understanding of ecosystems and the biological principles that govern life on our planet.

The programme encourages you to consider the impact of human activity on the environment, and to explore sustainable approaches to conservation and resource management.

Through a blend of fieldwork, lab research and theoretical study, you will develop the skills to investigate life, becoming an effective communicator and collaborative leader, that is ready to tackle global issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change and other environmental crises.

Our degree uses ethical, sustainable and innovative approaches to fully prepare you for a range of meaningful careers in academia, conservation, consultancy, and policy development.

This programme includes opportunities to undertake a Year Abroad, offering invaluable life experience.

This course also offers you the opportunity to spend a Year in Industry, in the UK or overseas, enabling you to gain valuable workplace experience. The University advocates for paid-only placements, which on average have a salary of over £20,000. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The Year in Applied Research enables you to develop advanced research skills. You will be housed in our research groups, on exchange with our partners in Exeter or Aberystwyth, or can be linked with industry, or a combination of these options.

The optional Foundation Year for this programme can give you an exciting introduction to higher education, setting you up with the skills, confidence, and knowledge that you’ll need to be successful in your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after further education, or are returning to education after a gap. Following successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress onto Year 1 of your BSc.

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including: Cellular & Microbial Biology; Becoming a Scientist; Ecology and Behaviour; Evolution and Genetics; Life in the Oceans; Animal and Plant Diversity.

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including: Ecological Data Analysis; Introduction to field zoology; Tetrapod Evolution; Entomology; Parasitology; Animal Conservation and Welfare; Molecular Ecology; Marine Invertebrates; Animal Physiology; Ichthyology; Plant Ecology; Ecological Microbiology and the Cycles of Life; Population and Community Ecology.

In Year 3: Year spent in Industry.

In Year 4, you will typically study areas including: Biosciences Research Project; Professional skills in conservation; Professional Laboratory Skills; Tropical marine ecology field course; Tropical Ecology and Conservation - Borneo Field Trip; Movement ecology; Hormones and Behaviour; Animal behaviour - from individuals to groups; Tropical marine ecology and conservation; Advanced Data Analysis; Plant Conservation and Ecology; Macroevolution and Phylogenies; Science Communication with Placement; Ecology of Marine Megafauna; Epidemiology of zoonotic diseases; Natural Products Biotechnology.

We are proud to provide an outstanding educational experience, using the most effective learning and teaching approaches, carefully tailored to suit the specific needs of your course. Apart from a small number of online-only courses, most of our courses consist of in-person, on-campus teaching, enabling full engagement with your lecturers and fellow students. Practical skills sessions, lab work seminars, and workshops predominantly take place in person, allowing for group working and demonstrations. We also operate virtual labs and Simulated Learning Environments which will facilitate greater access to training opportunities in the future. However, our approach also includes the use of some online learning to support and enhance traditional face-to-face teaching. Online learning may take place ‘live’ using software such as Zoom, allowing you to interact with the lecturer and other students and to ask questions. Lecture recordings also allow for more flexibility to revisit material, to revise for assessments and to enhance learning outside of the classroom. Some modules have extra resources in Canvas, such as videos, slides and quizzes enabling further flexible study. This course may offer some modules taught through the medium of Welsh or bilingually for students who consider themselves to be fluent Welsh speakers. For more details on the provision available see the Welsh Provision expander below.

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

• Royal Society of Biology