Module Catalogue 2026/27

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

Students will be familiarised with research in contemporary Zoology. They will use skills and knowledge they obtained during the degree programme in order to work on specific themes in contemporary Zoology. Students will be able to work independently on a research question using contemporary research literature and be able to deliver a scientific presentation on the specific research questions.

Students will learn practical skills involved in collecting data using field survey techniques. During the course the students will learn how to analyse population and distribution data using the latest software packages in R. Students will consider the application of the techniques to different survey and monitoring situations in including ethical considerations and experimental design. Field techniques may include:

· Radio-tracking of habitat use by animals: A practical exercise will provide experience in tracking of mammal species. Students will be trained in the use of telemetry equipment and the analysis of spatial point data.

· Small mammal trapping to estimate population density: Assessing mammal population density is difficult because most mammal species in the UK are rarely observed. We will train students in the use of baited trapping (of rodents) with mark-release recapture as a means of analysing population density.

· Dietary Analysis Student will be trained in the dissection of owl pellets to reconstruct diets. Skills developed will be in identification of rodent skulls and dentition and in community composition analysis using multivariate techniques.

· Distance sampling for estimating abundance and density. Students will be trained in distance sampling methodology for estimating abundance and density. Students will learn how to estimate detection rates and incorporate error into their abundance estimates.

· Camera Trapping: Students will learn how to set camera traps for monitoring and surveying. Students will learn how to estimate detection rates and incorporate error into their abundance estimates

Outline Of Syllabus

Guest speakers from researchers and Zoology staff will provide lectures on current research in zoology to reinforce the techniques learned during the first half of the semester. This will be a rolling programme so the precise content will change each year.

Practical sessions will introduce the students to techniques in monitoring animals. Computer labs will teach the students analytical techniques.

There will be a presentation session where groups give their presentations to the rest of the class. This session will be focussed at providing feedback which will contribute to the writing of the summative assessment.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Knowledge of the most common animal surveying techniques. Understanding of the benefits and limits of the different approaches. Knowledge of the different state-of-the-art numerical approaches available to analyse spatial data incorporating detection and capture probabilities.

Students will consolidate and apply the knowledge they gained during the three year course in order to analyse and evaluate specific problems in contemporary Zoology, e.g. the impacts that climate change has on coral reefs, animal welfare and ethics including legal and moral aspects of human use of animals, for example in research and agriculture. It is expected that students interpret original research published in scientific journals in order to create a presentation using appropriate zoological terms which addresses a specific problem in contemporary zoology.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Specific technical skills for studies of animal ecology. Ability to work with others (groups/ pairs) to collect data. Computer skills in the analysis of data, ability to present information in graphical form. Interpretation of modelling output. Increased ability to understand and analyse critically original research in scientific journals. Synthesis of material from different sources.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

An introductory lecture will inform students about the work they are expected to do during the module.

Lectures will provide information about current research on animals.

Active learning experiences will be provided in each area, including workshops and practicals, where students will work in groups to develop skills in areas such as movement analysis, Capture-Mark-Recapture and image analysis.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Formative Assessment

The Group Presentation will consist of a 10 minute oral report by one or more members of each group, with 5 minutes for questions, and feedback will be provided.

Summative Assessment

Knowledge will be assessed in the written report.

General Notes

N/A