Zoology

Course Content (including module information)

The BSc in Zoology at Queen's aims to provide students with a broad coverage of the biology of animals and how they interact with other living organisms.

Stage 1

Zoology undergraduates study:

• Biodiversity
• Molecular Basis of Life
• The World of Microorganisms

This module combination provides students, who may be undecided as to their final specialist degree area, with considerable flexibility as they enter Stage 2; at this stage students enrolled in Zoology can move into Marine Biology or Biological Sciences.

Stage 2

Students take the following modules:

• Animal Behaviour
• Animal Biology and Physiology
• Cell Biology 2 OR
• Cell Biology 1
• Ecology and Evolution
• Microbes in Action
• Work Placement

Stage 3

During final year, Zoology students undertake a two-module research project, carried out under the supervision of one or more members of academic staff, and also choose four modules from:

• Conservation Biology
• Future Oceans
• Global Change Biology
• Immunology and Virology
• Research Project
• Parasitology and Zoonoses

The research project generally involves practical work carried out in the field and laboratory or at Queen's University Marine Laboratory in Portaferry, in one of the many active areas of research in the School of Biological Sciences.

Assessment (general): The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback (general): As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
• Face to face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential.

On the BSc (Hons) in Zoology we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Lectures: Introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).

• Practicals: Zoology is a laboratory based discipline and as such Queen’s puts a significant emphasis on technical training. Within practical sessions you will have opportunities to develop laboratory skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts.

• E-Learning technologies: Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example; IT and statistics modules; interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in practicals and project- based work etc.

• Seminars/tutorials: Small group teaching (typically involving 10-20 students) provides significant opportunities to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess your own progress and understanding with the support of peers. You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.

• Self-directed study: This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

• Work placements: Students taking Zoology undertake a work-placement after Level 2. This is an invaluable learning and employability enhancement opportunity.

• Supervised projects: In the final year of the course, you will be expected to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic or practical methodology that you have chosen. You will receive support from a supervisor who will guide you in terms of how to carry out your research and will provide feedback to you during the write up stage.

• Personal Tutor: Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during Level 1 and 2 who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development. Further details are shown in the section on the Student Guidance Centre.