Zoology BSc (Hons)
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Bachelor's degree
In St Andrews
Description
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Type
Bachelor's degree
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Location
St andrews (Scotland)
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Duration
4 Years
The BSc in Zoology involves a wide-ranging exploration of the animal kingdom, investigating the structure, development, evolution, classification, behaviour, and distribution of all types of animals, both living and extinct. The choice of modules provides organismal, cellular, and molecular perspectives, including developmental, behavioural, neurophysiological, and environmental approaches with examples ranging from single-celled animals to marine mammals.
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About this course
The BSc in Zoology is a four-year course run by the School of Biology. The programme begins with a broad foundation across the range of biology, and then progresses from modules in molecular, cellular and organismal biology to a choice of options across a range of topics such as animal behaviour, development, evolution, neurobiology, environmental physiology, sea mammal biology, and various more ecological topics.
Alongside Zoology, in the first year of your studies you will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year you will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two.
In third year, there is a shift from core, broad-themed modules to more specialised modules that allow students to prepare for their Honours degree. In fourth year students continue specific research in their chosen area through student-led, inquiry-based learning.
Biology graduates are in high demand and are keenly sought after by institutions including the government, universities, research centres and major companies.
Biology graduates have gone on to find success in a wide variety of careers including:
professional biologists in biological research, conservation, higher education, and the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries
researchers and advisers in government
journalists
advisers, researchers and managers in the National Health Service
teachers
forensic scientists
management consultants
marketing and advertising experts.
SQA Highers
AAAB, including Biology (or Human Biology) and one other science from the following:
Chemistry
Mathematics
Physics.
GCE A-Levels
AAB, including Biology (or Human Biology) and one other science from the following:
Chemistry
Mathematics
Physics.
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Subjects
- Biology
- Zoology
- Terrestrial Zoology
- Aquatic Ecology
- Animal Behaviour
- Biology of Marine Organisms
- Comparative Physiology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Vertebrate Zoology
- Animals
Course programme
In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours) you will take the required modules in Zoology alongside modules in at least one other subject.
Typically, you will take core Zoology modules during your first two years, and advanced modules during your third and fourth year (known as Honours).
1st Year
- Biology 1: provides an introduction to molecular and ce
- llular biology. It covers cell diversity and the origins of life, cellular structures and fundamental processes.
- Biology 2: provides an introduction to the diversity of life on Earth and addresses key elements of organismal and ecological aspects of life.
Students take the following compulsory second-year modules:
- Comparative Physiology: covers the principles of physiological adaptation in a range of animals, including examples from all major taxa and from all habitats.
- Evolutionary Biology: provides an overview of the history and major principles of modern evolutionary biology.
- Invertebrate Zoology: surveys the major invertebrate groups, emphasizing the diversity of body plans while demonstrating how the common functional requirements such as feeding, reproduction, respiration and excretion are achieved.
- Vertebrate Zoology: explores the diversity of vertebrate animals, beginning with the closest relatives of vertebrates and the evolutionary origins of the group
In third year, you will continue to specialise in Zoology via a wide range of modules covering core topics. Modules that have been offered in previous years include:
- Terrestrial Zoology
- Aquatic Ecology
- Ecosystems and Conservation
- Animal Behaviour: A Quantitative Approach
- Biology of Marine Organisms.
In fourth year, you will study your chosen subject area at a deeper scientific level and will also have the opportunity to select from a wide range of small, group-specialised modules. These modules are taught by academics at the forefront of their discipline.
In this year, students also undertake a substantial final year research project. This research project is designed to develop skills in experimental design and problem-solving, the evaluation and interpretation of data, and communication skills. The project is selected and supervised by a member of academic staff. This project occupies half of the year.
The sub-honours modules listed here are the compulsory modules that students must take in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. For Honours-level, students choose from a range of Honours modules, some of which are listed above.
Additional information
Zoology BSc (Hons)