During this stage, you’ll start to specialise in zoology and the study of animals with five compulsory modules including a field course on the insect biology and ecology.
In the first stage of your degree, you’ll develop a strong foundation in zoology and get stuck into practical work from the start. You‘ll study four compulsory modules and choose 40 credits of optional modules. After stage 1, you can transfer to our Biology BSc degree. This must happen before Stage 2 starts.
Modules
You will take the following compulsory modules:
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Genetics and Evolution | 20 |
| Ecology and Conservation | 20 |
| Animal Life | 20 |
| Skills for the Biosciences | 20 |
You will take one of the following optional modules:
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Molecular Biology of the Cell | 20 |
| Biomolecules – the Biochemical Basis of Life | 20 |
You will take two modules from the following list:
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Crop Health | 10 |
| Introduction to Animal Physiology | 10 |
| Animal Health | 10 |
During this stage, you’ll start to specialise in zoology and the study of animals with five compulsory modules including a field course on the insect biology and ecology.
Modules
Compulsory modules
You take the following compulsory modules:
| Compulsory module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Insect Biology and Ecology* (previously called Insect Biology and Origins) | 20 |
| Professional Skills for Bioscientists (previously called Academic and Employability Skills) | 20 |
| Animal Function (Physiology and Development) | 20 |
| Evolution and Behaviour (previously called Evolutionary Biology) | 20 |
| Vertebrate Biology* | 20 |
*Field courses take place prior to Stage 2
Optional modules
You take one of the following optional modules:
| Optional module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation | 20 |
| Field-based Ecology: designing experiments, and residential field course | 20 |
With the approval of the Degree Programme Director, you may select alternative optional modules to those listed above, with a total value of not more than 20 credits.
In your final year, you’ll study advanced zoology topics. You'll work on your own research project (40 credits), with the support of an academic supervisor. You can choose a topic linked to our research expertise, such as:
- molecular biology and biotechnology
- zoology
- conservation and policy
- social sciences and policy
- terrestrial ecology
- marine ecology
- oceanography
You’ll also continue to develop your fieldwork skills.
Modules
Compulsory modules
You will take the following compulsory modules:
| Compulsory module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Research Project | 40 |
| Physiological Zoology | 20 |
| Current Zoology | 20 |
You will also take one of the following compulsory modules:
| Compulsory module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Animal Welfare & Behaviour | 20 |
| Biodiversity Science and Management | 20 |
Optional modules
You take one of the following optional modules:
| Optional module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Biological Modelling | 20 |
| Africa Field Course: Conservation and Ecology* | 20 |
*Africa Field Course: Conservation and Ecology takes place prior to Stage 3
With the approval of the Degree Programme Director, an alternative optional module to
those listed above may be selected, with a total value of not more than 20 credits. The following module may be selected without the need for DPD approval:
| Optional module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Career Development for Final Year Students* | 20 |
*If Career Development was taken at Stage 2, you cannot take it in Stage 3.