With joint honours, you can study for an honours degree in two or even three subjects. Find out more about joint honours, including what subjects you can combine with this one.
Our Zoology course allows you to concentrate your studies in the field of animal biology. Everything from the unicellular to the most complex multi-cellular animals, including areas such as wildlife conservation, ecology, animal behaviour, molecular biology, genetics and physiology.
Year One
you will be required to take the following modules:
Essential Practical Skills for Biosciences 1 - This module introduces you to key field based practical skills and techniques such as surveying, behaviour data collection and species identification. You'll learn to manipulate and statistically treat data to facilitate analysis. Lectures and labs will be supported by tutorials on specific aspects of the practical classes and basic skills in academic note taking, and essay writing. You'll also be introduced to the PDP.
Essential Practical Skills for Biosciences 2 - This module introduces you to key laboratory based practical skills and techniques such as aseptic technique, and chemical skills (electrophoresis, chromatography) as well as fundamental principles in either chemistry OR physics. You'll learn to manipulate and statistically treat data to facilitate analysis. Lectures and labs will be supported by tutorials on specific aspects of the practical classes and basic skills in presentations, group work and writing laboratory reports.
Genetics - You'll be given a broad introduction to the key concepts in classical and molecular genetics. You'll also develop an understanding of how genetics can impact on many areas of human life.
And one or more of the following optional modules
Biology of Organisms 1: Origins of Life - This module introduces you to the process of biological evolution and to the variety of living plants and animals. You'll be introduced to the concepts of taxonomy, systematics, along with comparative morphology and anatomy. You'll focus on the first groups of organisms to evolve, prior to the colonisation of land.
Biology of Organisms 2: Invasion of Life - You'll focus on groups of organisms that have adapted to life on land, including terrestrial fungi, lower and higher plants, insects and spiders and amphibians, reptiles and mammals. In addition to covering the classification and biology of these groups, you'll cover wider evolutionary topics. These will include the species concept, co-evolution of plants and animals and the causes of extinction.
Ecology - You'll be provided with an introduction to how organisms interact with each other and their abiotic environments; at the organism, population and community levels, both in theory and in the field. This will provide a basis for further studies in ecological areas of biology.
Human Biology - You'll examine fundamental anatomical and physiological concepts in the context of the human organism in order to develop an understanding of human biology. You'll focus on the homeostatic interaction between the structure and function of organ systems and their relationship with the internal and external environment.
Molecular and Cellular Biology - You'll be introduced to the cell, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic, in terms of structure and biochemical processes. You'll cover basic biochemistry of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. You'll also cover protein production and the functioning of enzymes in detail.
Year Two
you must take the following prescribed modules:
Evolutionary and Forensic Genetics - You'll develop an understanding of the molecular basis of fundamental biological and forensic processes, such as transcription and translation. You'll be introduced to current techniques and approaches in molecular biology applied in a forensic and evolutionary context.
Developmental Biology - This module, specific to the Zoology degree, is designed to introduce you to the development of both invertebrate and vertebrate animals. It is delivered as a blended learning module as you'll be studying the morphological changes that occur during the development of a range of animals in your own time, while lectures on developmental genetics, classical embryology and cell biology will promote an understanding of the underlying changes driving the development of the embryo.
Two half skills modules if carrying out your Independent Studies in Biology:
Research Methods in Biology: critical thinking - This module aims to facilitate the development of a critical and investigative approach to the study of biological or forensic sciences through familiarisation with the skills and concepts fundamental to research.
It will provide the basis for an understanding of where scientific knowledge is derived from, the process by which it is acquired, the means by which it is communicated and the techniques by which it can be accessed.
Research Methods in Biology: developing skills - This module aims to provide a link between the elements of the research process, inherent in the taught modules provided by the programme, and the Independent Study in Biological or Forensic Sciences undertaken by all students at Level 6.
And choose the remainder (depending on degree split) from the following optional modules
Biomolecular Processes - This module deals with the principles of biochemistry, especially with respect to the control of metabolic pathways, the role of membranes in energy conversion and the interaction of proteins. You'll get real practical laboratory experience in the design and running of molecular biology experiments together with data handling and interpretation.
Cell Structure and Function - You'll develop a detailed knowledge of eukaryote cell structure beginning with the building blocks available to the cell. You'll consider how structure and function are intimately related in a range of important activities undertaken by the living cell in both healthy and diseased states.
Comparative Animal Physiology - This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the adaptive nature of the physiology of animals. You'll study with respect to the demands placed upon animals by their environments and the experimental methods by which such information is acquired.
Ecosystems - You'll examine the interactions between populations and their environment at the species and ecosystem level. You'll also investigate how such interactions can lead to structure and stability in communities.
Human Evolution - This module will build on existing first year modules including human biology, molecular and cellular biology and genetics. You'll consider the origins of humans and fossil evidence, human and primate behaviour and human genetics.
Invertebrate Biology - You'll examine the range of form and function among the major invertebrate phyla and you'll consider the possible evolutionary relationships between them. You'll also examine life-history strategies and invertebrate communities in plankton, leaf-litter and freshwater.
Microbes and Disease - Micro-organisms are the causative agents of many significant plant, animal and human diseases. By focusing on this major aspect of microbiology you'll develop an understanding of the importance, essential characteristics of microbes, and how they interact with other organisms.
Physiological Mechanisms in Health and Disease - You'll focus on the concept of disease within the context of the normal physiological mechanisms that underlie some key body systems. This module will enhance your knowledge of anatomy and physiology gained from previous Stage 1 modules (e.g. Human Biology). Guest lecturers from the medical and scientific research worlds are invited to discuss the pathology and medical relevance of an aspect of each of the key physiological systems studied.
Rainforests to Deserts: How Life Endures - The diversity of terrestrial life can be divided into several large, distinct regions, biomes that are characterised by their animal and plant life. You'll consider this diversity, explore the underlying reasons for it and how animals and plants are adapted life in different biomes.
The Biological Basis of Animal Behaviour - You'll develop a broad understanding of the study of animal behaviour. You'll be introduced the field of animal behaviour both from the perspective of physiological mechanisms and evolutionary function.
Vertebrate Biology - You'll examine the range of forms found within the chordate phylum and consider the evolutionary relationships within the group. You'll look particularly at adaptive morphology and evolutionary modifications of major organ systems.
Year Three
if you're carrying out your independent studies in Zoology you must take
Independent Studies for Biological Sciences and Sport and Exercise (Double Module) - This module represents an opportunity for you to exercise initiative, creative thinking, and organisational skills in the pursuit of an independent piece of work of your choosing (subject to approval on academic, safety and ethical grounds where appropriate), and is a continuation of personal skill development initiated in stages 2 and 3. Central to the research study will be a degree of problem solving and formulation and testing of hypotheses.
And choose the remainder (depending on degree split) from the following optional modules:
Aquatic Biology - The module aims to familiarise you with the main principles of freshwater and marine ecology, together with the biology of the organisms living therein and the current issues facing these aquatic ecosystems. You'll compare rivers and lakes and you'll conduct a study of the open ocean will which focus on the deep sea and coral reefs. Metrics used in the quantification of diversity in these habitats will be examined. You'll have an opportunity to pursue your own interests in selected aspects of the module. Fieldwork is considered an important part of the module and both freshwater and marine ecosystems will be visited.
Behavioural Ecology - This module aims to give you an understanding of the field of behavioural ecology: the study of the survival value of behaviour. You'll focus on two of the main topics in this field: sexual selection and the evolution of altruistic behaviour.
Ecological Entomology - You'll look at insects from the perspectives of evolutionary and community ecology and you'll cover the evolution of insect mating systems and the use of insects in forensic science.
Genetic Technologies - The impact of genetics and molecular biology on our lives is of growing importance. In this module case studies will be used to illustrate a range of strategies for the manipulation and study of genetic material. For example
1. Approaches to gene transfer and characteristics of resulting genetically modified organisms.
2. The use of transgenic animals in the study and understanding of disease processes.
3. The use of molecular techniques in forensic science and the study of populations.
Habitat Management - More and more pressures are being placed on the natural environment whilst at the same time there is pressure to maintain global biodiversity. It will only be possible to achieve both in a crowded world by managing selected areas for their wildlife. Such management, if carried out scientifically, has the potential not only to maintain our biodiversity but to enhance it as well.
Mammalian Reproduction - You'll consider in detail the series of events leading from successful fertilisation to childbirth, including sexual health, immune tolerance of the foetus and lifestyle factors in pregnancy. You'll also consider the breeding strategies of a range of mammals and the affect of human interference on other mammals. The causes of human infertility and how new technologies are helping to overcome them will also be investigated.
Mechanisms of Evolution
Oncology - Cancer accounts for one quarter of all mortalities in the UK. Despite an increase in the incidence of the disease, however, mortality rates have decreased by 11% over the last 10 years. This is a medically-orientated module that aims to explore the causes of cancer, how it is treated and what directions are currently being undertaken by cancer research scientists.
Vertebrate Palaeontology - This module introduces you to the range of vertebrate types known from the fossil record and considers the evolutionary relationships within the group.
Wildlife Conservation - You'll critically examine the various methods used to create the conditions under which wildlife can continue to exist in natural environments alongside human societies.
Ornithology - Birds are a very popular group of organisms. This module approaches Ornithology - the scientific study of birds - from a biological and evolutionary perspective. The module aims to deliver a comprehensive and balanced synthesis of the extensive research in the field; provide a thorough coverage of the form, function and behaviour of birds and an understanding of the field's broader implications, including the latest advances.
Microbial Interactions
You'll have a wide range of the skills employers are looking for, when you've completed the course.
You could go into teaching, research, the museums service, conservation agencies, the scientific civil service, the media, or the environmental and ecosystem management sector, when you graduate.
We invited back some of successful graduates, including BBC Producer Kathryn Jeffs to talk to our current biology, zoology and forensics students about life after graduation. View more on the masterclass.
We're very proud to announce our successful submission to the Biological Sciences Unit into the UK Government's Research Assessment Exercise 2008.
The results show that, although The Biological Sciences Research Group is relatively small, our research work is of significant quality. It should also be noted that Derby was the only post 1992 University in this region which made a successful submission Biological Sciences Unit of Assessment.
