BSc (Hons) Zoology

This module introduces you to the core academic skills required for successful undergraduate study, with particular emphasis on developing competence in their scholarly practice. It provides a structured framework through which you can engage with key academic conventions including critical thinking, analytical writing, and effective communication. The module encourages you to recognise the value of research and evidence-based reasoning within your disciplinary context. You will also begin cultivating a reflective and developmental approach to learning that will underpin your academic progression throughout the entirety of your degree study and future professional practice. 

By the end of the module, you will be able to apply a range of academic techniques to support your written and verbal communication, including the accurate use of the Harvard Referencing System, ethical use of artificial intelligence software and the critical evaluation of academic literature. You will also be supported in developing reflective skills to assess your own academic performance and identify areas for growth. While the module’s structure is broadly applicable across disciplines, you will be encouraged to tailor your work to reflect the specific expectations and conventions of your programme specialism, ensuring a meaningful approach to your academic work. 

Assessment:   

This module provides a foundation in cellular and molecular biology. You will explore the structure and function of cells, the classification of living organisms, and the physiological processes that sustain plant and animal life. Emphasis is placed on homeostatic mechanisms that enable organisms to adapt and survive in dynamic environments. The module also introduces the principles of heredity, including cell division and the laws of inheritance, alongside an examination of evolutionary processes such as natural selection, genetic drift, and speciation.  

In addition to theoretical knowledge, this module aims to develop observational and practical skills through hands-on activities and laboratory work. These practical sessions are designed to enhance your understanding of fundamental biological processes and introductory scientific techniques, equipping you with essential skills for further study and research in the biological sciences. 

This module introduces the environmental systems underpinning the ecology of life on Earth and which provide the physical resources to support the flora and fauna that a growing population relies on. You will explore how each natural system is intrinsically linked.

Ecology is essential to our understanding of how to manage the land, its’ resources and biodiversity. Land use, policy and practice have often proved disastrous where there has been a lack of understanding of the way populations and ecosystems function at both large and small scales. This has resulted in declines in biodiversity and soil productivity. 

This module aims to provide a broad understanding of the Earth’s natural system, and an underpinning understanding of soil and water resources is essential to the sustainable management of the local, national, and global environment. You will explore and examine geographical climate patterns and the impact that climate change is having on global biomes and species. 

The module allows you to learn fundamental ecological theories in terms of the way that individuals, populations and species grow, interact, and are distributed. The way in which energy is transferred through ecosystems and impacts on the length of food chains and numbers of individuals at varying trophic levels will be considered and it will further review the way ecosystems alter with time and the influence of living organisms on successional processes.  

Animal bodies are complex, specialised systems that are adapted to ensure survival. A correctly functioning organ system is crucial in the provision of positive welfare, and for an individual to successfully reproduce.  

In this module, the anatomical systems found in eukaryotic species will be explored, with analysis of how these features are designed to enable these species to thrive. Delivery of this unit will begin with looking at how specialised tissues provide building blocks for larger systems before moving on to explore the key organs found in eukaryotes. The unique structures and how these differ between species will be reviewed, discussing reasons for these adaptations.  

 An understanding of anatomy is the foundation of many areas of biological study, providing context for subjects like conservation, disease, and animal welfare. It also enables professionals to understand what a dysfunctional organ system looks like and how this can be remedied.  

This specialist module will appeal to you if you work or have an interest in animal collections or zoological and conservation societies. Employees in the Animal and Zoology sector may typically be involved in the care, handling handling, and husbandry of a variety of different species, in a potentially wide range of different situations e.g. zoos, aquaria, rehabilitation, rescue, pet shops, breeders, livestock etc. This module aims to develop key skills required in this field, enhancing the employability of graduates.    

 Animal care, handling and husbandry is governed by legislation and guidelines in the United Kingdom which aims to promote the welfare of vertebrate/cephalopod species. You will investigate these and review their impact on common husbandry procedures.    

This specialist module will appeal to you if you work or have an interest in animal collections or zoological and conservation societies. You may be working in zoos, safari parks, aquaria, bird sanctuaries, and other exotic animal collections and wish to enhance your knowledge and skill set.     

 In this module, emphasis is placed on your study of current zoo husbandry techniques, modern enclosure design, good management to promote high welfare standards, and skills that are required by keepers to be effective members of the zoo community.  

 In undertaking this module, you will examine the management of health, welfare, and nutrition for a range of zoo species. The scope of the studies will also encompass key topics such as handling, welfare, behaviour, training, record keeping, enclosure design, legislation, and the global community in a zoo context. The module aims to provide the knowledge you will require for work in the zoo industry, specifically managing captive species.   

This module develops your ability to evaluate quantitative, qualitative, and mixed‑methods research. It enables informed comparison of methodological approaches within biological and industry‑relevant contexts. Through critical appraisal of published studies, you will build the skills needed to assess methodological validity, reliability, data collection, and data management. You will also learn to apply appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics, with emphasis on accurate interpretation and effective communication of results.  

You will learn to produce a formal research proposal by developing research questions, aims, objectives, and hypotheses. You will complete a structured literature review that identifies knowledge gaps and supports a clear research rationale. You will design a methodological approach that includes a justified sampling strategy and suitable data collection methods. You will also select appropriate data analysis techniques and demonstrate awareness of ethical responsibilities. Together, these skills will enable you to evaluate biological research and plan scientifically robust investigations. 

Understanding invertebrate biology is essential for fields such as biodiversity conservation, ecological monitoring, and environmental impact assessment. Knowledge of invertebrate anatomy and physiology underpins research in evolutionary biology, marine and freshwater ecology, and agriculture.  

 Building on earlier study of the evolution and diversity of animal life on Earth, this module provides a focused exploration of the invertebrate phyla, which make up the majority of animal species. The evolutionary history of these groups will be examined, along with their anatomical plans, and how structural features relate to function and ecological roles. This comparative approach will be framed within evolutionary and phylogenetic contexts, with an emphasis on functional morphology.  

In this module you will study topics such as invertebrate systematics and classification methods, and gain an overview of key systems including locomotion, nervous and sensory structures, feeding and digestion, excretion, growth, circulation, respiration, and reproduction. Practical sessions will allow you to observe and compare anatomical features first-hand, reinforcing theoretical concepts.  

 Skills developed in systematics and phylogenetic analysis are widely applicable in taxonomy, conservation planning, and bioinformatics. This module also provides a foundation for careers in research, education, and applied environmental sciences, where invertebrates play critical roles as indicators of ecosystem health and as components of food webs.  

This module will explore the inter-relationships between behaviour, ecology, and evolution of animals and plants. You will learn why organisms behave under varying ecological conditions and how they respond and adapt to changes in their environment. The principal models and theories in relation to behaviour and behavioural ecology will be examined, using case studies and examples to illustrate.   

You will seek to explain the evolution of specific behavioural patterns and have an opportunity to undertake research into behavioural ecology theories for a selected species. This will involve experimental design, research, interpretation, analysis, and presentation of results.  Through understanding key concepts of behavioural ecology, you will be able to make more informed choices with regards to conservation within other subject areas such as habitat management and countryside recreation.   

Geographical information systems (GIS) are commonly used across the conservation and environmental sectors to produce both digital and cartographic maps. Increasingly, employers are looking for skills in GIS when advertising job roles and therefore, an understanding of these types of programs will be useful within the field. 

This unit aims to showcase the uses of GIS, evaluating its effectiveness as a digital tool for spatial data analysis. There will also be a considerable amount of time in sessions spent on building skills within a particular piece of GIS software, such as QGIS. 

This module offers the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge of marine phyla and habitats. The campus is ideally located for marine and coastal ecosystems, due to the proximity to the East Anglian coastline. In this area there are a variety of coastal and marine ecosystems including estuaries, intertidal mud flats, sand dunes and saltmarshes as well as the chalk reef just off the North Norfolk coast.  

In addition, the East Anglian inshore and coastal regions support a wide range of industries, including wind turbines and commercial fisheries. 

This module aims to provide you with a sound understanding of marine biology and coastal ecosystems through studying the organisms that inhabit marine and coastal ecosystems, with an emphasis on UK species for identification purposes.  This will be achieved through examining the principle phyla both in theory and through practical and fieldwork classes. 

You will gain knowledge of coastal habitats and the effects of different environmental and biological conditions during the module via a range of both theory sessions and fieldwork. The module additionally aims to appraise you of the human impact on marine and coastal ecosystems. 

During this module, there will be an exploration of the methods currently used to communicate scientific information to various stakeholders in the community. In doing so, you will identify the most effective methods of conveying innovative ideas and implementing them in society. This unit will also provide opportunities to build teamwork and leadership skills for future application in future job roles. 

Several different scientific communication methods will be examined to identify their strengths and weaknesses, both in theory and in practice. This will include social media, publishing scientific literature, policy briefings, conferences, popular media platforms, podcasts, exhibitions, and more. 

Throughout the sessions, you will get the opportunity to practice some of these techniques and attend a conference to make your own judgements on the effectiveness of these methods in conveying new scientific information. There will be various opportunities for you to link these practices with industry-specific subjects and current scientific affairs within a field of interest. This module will work in conjunction with the careers team to help build skills in professional development. 

Through the production of a portfolio containing work completed throughout this module and a reflective account of any activities that you have participated in, you should by the end be able to identify the most effective communication methods for different stakeholders and make recommendations to improve current practice in the scientific community. You should also have a firm understanding of the opportunities you have to take these skills into various scientific sectors.  

Assessment:  

The global environment and everything living in it faces the threat of climate change. In some areas, this change has already caused considerable disruption, and, for some ecosystems, the speed of change may lead to irreversible damage. As attempts are made to safeguard habitats around the world, it is vital that environmental professionals understand how species are adapted to the niche environmental conditions within which they find themselves to make practical decisions in conservation.  

 In this module, there will be a review of some themes surrounding physiology in previous sessions, such as vertebrate and invertebrate zoology. These areas of knowledge will be built upon, focusing on key adaptations observed in species in specific conditions. Adaptations will include thermoregulation, metabolism, the senses and respiration. Analysis of how these adaptations are used in key biomes will then follow, including freshwater, deep ocean, polar regions and deserts.  

The impacts of the Anthropocene will also be examined to understand how human activity is impacting these key environments as we look to answer the question of whether species are able to adapt fast enough to a world of human activity.  

This module enables you to undertake an independent academic research project based on a topic of your choosing, using evidence‑based methodologies and appropriate research techniques. Projects may be completed in collaboration with local businesses or charities, or may involve the analysis of existing secondary datasets, the collection of primary data, or an evaluative approach to a defined research problem. 

You will be allocated a supervisor who will provide guidance on topic selection and support the development and progression of the project. You will be encouraged to use the research project as a summative opportunity to reflect upon your academic development across the degree programme.

The dissertation may take the form of either a structured, discursive, and evaluative thesis or a data‑driven research project. If you are undertaking an empirical project, you will have the opportunity to design and implement original research, involving the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data within the context of existing scholarly literature. 

Through completing the module, you will develop practical and transferable research skills, including ethical awareness, project planning, data analysis, and professional communication, thereby enhancing their preparedness for employment or further postgraduate study. 

There has been a significant decline in global biodiversity and serious concerns that we may be facing another mass extinction. It is now of fundamental importance that humans understand the mechanisms that drive areas of high biodiversity, where these hotspots are found, what are the threats and what can be done to negate the impacts. 

This module provides an understanding of the phenomenon of biodiversity and investigates the factors that promote it and those that threaten it. You will explore the mechanisms by which biotic diversity is generated and investigate the benefits associated with biodiversity. You will have the chance to discuss the threats facing biodiversity on a local and global scale and will be encouraged to explore and evaluate practical conservation measures to ensure the maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity for future generations.

The modules aims to allow you to develop an appreciation of the value of biodiversity as a resource in economic and aesthetic terms from the value of an individual organism to large scale ecosystem services/natural capital. It will provide you with a sound theoretical framework from which to assess the significance of local, national, and international developments on the world’s biodiversity. 

Animal behaviour is a popular study for biologists and zoologists providing insights into the ways animals survive and reproduce within their dynamic environments. This module further focuses on the suite of interactions that occur between two or more individual animals. This could be animals of the same species where they form simple groups, cooperate in sexual and parenting behaviours, engage in territorial disputes, and access suitable mates. It may also include interspecific interaction.   

 In this module, you will examine and assess the neurobiology and endocrinology surrounding social behaviours. This builds on modules and topics from Level 4 and 5 of anatomy and physiology and behavioural ecology.   

You will have the chance to explore a range of species and their interactions in domestic, captive, and wild settings underpinned by theories and research. The module allows you to explore a range of social species and further hone knowledge and practical ability in designing and undertaking experiments to analyse social animal behaviour.   

By studying this module, you will be further equipped for post graduate research or employment in the wildlife, conservation and zoology industries with skills and knowledge linking social behaviour to the successful welfare, conservation and management of social species, as well as understanding the risks of anthropomorphic interpretation of animal behaviour.