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2024/25 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BSc Zoology (For students entering from September 2024 onwards)

Programme code:BSZOOL-RUCAS code:C300
Duration:3 Years Method of Attendance: Full Time
Programme manager:Dr Alastair Ward Contact address:A.I.Ward@leeds.ac.uk

Total credits: 360

Entry requirements:

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:

Biological Sciences Undergraduate School

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

Biosciences

Programme specification:

The information on this page is accurate for students entering the programme from September 2024. For students who entered the programme before September 2024, you can find the details of your programme:

BSc Zoology

Zoology is the scientific study of the animal kingdom. It encompasses the molecular building blocks of life up to the way that animals behave and interact with their environment. Zoologists understand the diversity of animal forms, and the ways that they function. Professional Zoologists may apply their specialist knowledge in a variety of fields including nature conservation, animal production or scientific research.
On the Zoology programme you will study everything from animal cell biology, physiology and behaviour, how animals are shaped by evolutionary forces and how animal populations and communities function. With opportunities for intensive field study during every year of the programme, field courses will build on your practical lab and experimental design skills. In your final year, you will be tasked with completing your own fully independent research project. Throughout the programme, you will develop team-working, independent-working, problem-solving and communication skills, all of which are in demand by employers.
This 3 year BSc can also be converted into an integrated Masters (MBiol) with an optional additional year of specialist training, to study advanced research topics and to carry out your own extended research project.

Year 1
The first year of Zoology provides a solid basis for the programme. Six core modules cover cell biology, biodiversity, evolution and practical and research skills to ensure you have an understanding of the fundamental principles that underpin zoology. You will use multi-disciplinary approaches ranging from genetics to whole-organism biology and ecological surveys. You will also be able to broaden your zoology perspectives by choosing three optional modules, such as vertebrate evolution, applied biology, immunology and the biology of the mind.
For the Zoology students intensively study terrestrial field zoology at the scale of the individual organism, to the population and whole ecosystem.
By the end of year 1, you will understand the structure and functioning of life on earth and will be able to demonstrate a wide range of practical and research skills in the lab and in the field. https://biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/flexible-degrees-1

Year 2
The year starts with the Year 2 compulsory residential field course in marine zoology, based on a rocky shore along the UK coast. You will gain hands-on experience of marine organisms and their habitats, expanding your knowledge of animal behaviour, animal development, evolution and adaptation while further developing research skills in the lab and the field.
Your practical, experimental and analytical skills will be developed as you specialise in the core topics of zoology, including adaptation, animal behaviour, and physiology, with options to choose up to four modules covering genetics, parasitology and ecology. This includes an optional non-residential field course in urban ecology where you will evaluate the structure and function of biodiversity in Leeds and develop ideas on how to make cities more ecologically sustainable.
By the end of year 2, you will appreciate the diversity of disciplines within zoology and be able to demonstrate a deeper understanding of core topics. You will also be prepared with the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake your research project in your final year. At the end of year 2, you will have the opportunity to choose an industrial work placement, study abroad, or combined study and work abroad. This will add an additional year of study to your degree.

Year 3
You will complete a compulsory advanced module on animal behaviour and can choose four to six modules at the cutti ng edge of their discipline on subjects including genetics, evolution, ecology and conservation science. The optional field course to South Africa involves a 2-week programme of lectures, seminars and extensive fieldwork to complete a short research project on the ecology of a semi-arid landscape.
Your third year will have a strong focus on independent research, with your research project running across semesters 1 and 2. This is your opportunity to undertake zoological research on the topic of your choice, under the supervision and guidance of an experienced researcher.


Year1 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Students will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

BLGY1128Living Planet20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY1141Introduction to Cell Biology10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY1237Introduction to Genetics10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY1300Coastal and Upland Habitats Field Course10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY1307Research & Study Skills Level 120 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
BLGY1327Practical Skills for Zoology and Ecology20 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 30 credits from the following optional modules:

BIOL1112The Molecules of Life10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY1212Using Biology to Feed the World10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BMSC1200Biology of the Mind10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR1202The Microbial World10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MICR1221Introduction to Immunology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SOEE1120Vertebrate Evolution10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)


Discovery modules:

Students may choose to study 10 credits of discovery modules as part of optional module selection.


Year2 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

We are currently refreshing our courses to make sure students have the best possible experience. Full module details for years 2 and 3 are not yet available. Before you enter years 2 and 3 details of modules for those years will be provided.

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

BLGY2146Animal Physiology20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY2220Evolution, Adaptation and Behaviour20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY2304Research and Study Skills Level 220 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
BLGY2322Marine Zoology Field Course20 credits1 Sep to 30 Sep (1mth)

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 40 credits from the following optional modules:

BLGY2106Parasitology10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY2155Population, Community and Conservation Ecology20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY2175Human Populations10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY2201Introduction to Bioinformatics10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY2265Urban Ecology and Conservation Field Course20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY2296Human Genetics10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Discovery modules:


Year3 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

We are currently refreshing our courses to make sure students have the best possible experience. Full module details for year 3 are not yet available. Before you enter year 3 full details of modules for that year will be provided.

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

BLGY3135Advanced Topics in Behaviour: from sex to death20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY3345Biology Integrated Research Projects40 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 60 credits from the following optional modules:

BLGY3133Advanced Topics in Ecology20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY3153Advanced Topics in Human Genetics and Epigenetics20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
BLGY3222Social Biology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY3223Animal Developmental Biology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY3224Advanced Topics in Animal Science20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY3245Advanced Topics in Evolution20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY3246Evolution and Population Genetics10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY3247Advanced Topics in Conservation Science20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
BLGY3300Level 3 Field Course (South Africa)20 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Discovery modules:

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:03:44

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