Zoology

This is a truly hands-on course. We will give you the intellectual and practical skills you'll need to understand the complexities of the animal kingdom. You'll learn about behaviour, ecology, conservation and genetics.

Key highlights

• Fieldwork opportunities in the UK and overseas
• Use of our Aquatic Research Facility, glasshouse, insectary, and specialist laboratories
• Research-active lecturers in fields such as coral reef conservation, evolution of primate behaviour, and climate change
• Course content aligns to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology
• Accredited degree pathway status from the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
• Placements and internship opportunities with our partner organisations. This course can be studied with or without an Industrial Placement Year

Biology and Zoology - your questions answered

Programme Leader for Biology Dr David Elliott answers your frequently asked questions about Biology and Zoology. 

Zoology at Derby

We are at a decisive moment in our history. Human progress is disturbing the natural balance of our environment. This is despite global efforts from government officials and policy makers to promote coexistence between humanity and our ecosystems. We need leaders who are bold and innovative in their approach if we are to restore and protect for future generations.

Are you passionate about protecting endangered species? Safeguarding habitats? Enhancing the knowledge and understanding of animals in the wild and in captivity? If so, then this course is for you.

Our focus is on equipping you with strong intellectual, technical, research and personal skills. We will help you to build an impressive CV and meet the needs of employers. We have mapped the content of our courses to the priorities of global initiatives, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This ensures you graduate with the scientific skills and knowledge needed to transform the issues of today.

Our Zoology course focuses on animal biology. And we cover topics such as wildlife conservation, ecology and animal behaviour. You’ll also cover sciences that underpin zoology, including genetics, biochemistry and statistics.

Zoology is a practical subject, so you will learn in the laboratory, field and classroom. Whatever you are studying, we will encourage you to link with employers, from short-term work experience to a full year in industry.

You’ll join a community of staff and students dedicated to applying their passion, knowledge and skills to help safeguard the survival of Earth’s natural environments and animal populations.

Being inspired

Some of our Zoology and Biology students tell us about the moments that inspired them to study the course.

Expert teaching

You'll be working with lecturers and tutors who have a wealth of knowledge and experience. They are carrying out research designed to offer fresh perspectives on important issues. Their wide-ranging work includes research into:

• Improving the resilience of coral reefs to climate change
• The evolution of primates
• Insect reproduction and behaviour
• Animal ecology
• Coral reef systems and megafauna

Dr Michael Sweet, Associate Professor in Aquatic Biology, is one of the lecturers you will work with on the course. Before coming to Derby, he travelled the world working on a variety of projects:

• Biodiversity index surveys in the Philippines and Malaysia
• Radio tracking Sumatran rhinos in Borneo
• Being a game ranger in mainland Africa and Madagascar

Michael is now the manager of our Aquatic Research Facility and teaches on several of our undergraduate modules. He is also involved in a major research project looking at diseases that affect coral reefs.

We carry out research within our Environmental Sustainability Research Centre. We address local, national and global goals for sustainable development, environmental understanding and clean growth.

Excellent fieldwork opportunities

Fieldwork is a vital element of this course. Every stage of your studies will be enriched with fieldwork opportunities. The cost of mandatory fieldwork is included in your course fee. Through our fieldwork programme, we have introduced students to a variety of survey techniques for a wide range of species, such as:

• Studying animal interaction at Twycross Zoo
• Conducting ecological projects in Mallorca
• Undertaking scientific investigations in the Maldives (for students on our Tropical Marine Biology module)
• Investigating plant adaptations at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew

You’ll also have access to Cuckoos Tor, a site on the edge of the Peak District National Park and owned by the University of Derby that is dedicated to long-term research and ecological experiments. Current projects include restoration ecology, natural flood risk management, community engagement with biodiversity, and sustainable land management - and you’ll be able to get involved.

You'll also have opportunities to apply for work placements and paid internships. All of this means you'll be well placed to launch your career, either in a graduate job or in further study or research.

Field Biology

Our second-year students went to Mallorca for a week as part of their optional Field Biology module. They went on short excursions, explored plant diversity, searched for invertebrates, went on scenic hikes and located wild goats. And, all the time, surrounded by stunning island landscapes.

Professional credibility

This course was one of the first of its kind in the country to receive accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology. This accolade carries significant weight within the sector. It is only granted after a rigorous independent assessment.

The Royal Society acts as a single unified voice for biology. It advises the government, influencing policy, advancing education and professional development. And it encourages public interest in the life sciences.

The Royal Society only accredits degrees that offer students a solid academic foundation in subject knowledge, technical abilities and transferable skills. This means that, when you graduate, you’ll meet the requirements for Associate Membership of the Society (AMSB). Following appropriate professional experience, you can then apply for full membership. This is recognised widely throughout the industry and by potential employers.

We also have accredited degree pathway status from the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). CIEEM approval means this course offers you the knowledge and practical skills required by employers for a wide range of applied practitioner roles.

Strong employer links

You’ll benefit from excellent opportunities for work experience and internships. We have our partnerships with organisations such as Sea Life, Derby Museums and the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. We encourage you to undertake work experience throughout your degree. This will give you real insights into zoology and related areas.

You could also get involved in voluntary work with zoology-related industries and the wider community. This could include helping to safeguard local nature sites and improving the region's green spaces.

We are currently working with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Derby City Council on rewilding Allestree Park. This is the UK’s largest rewilding space which has involved a community consultation to find out what local people want. Some of our students are already working on independent studies projects in the park, with one test-driving the citizen science protocols for monitoring the changes in the park as the rewilding continues.

We have also just won two associate Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, lasting two years, to predict the trajectory of rewilding ecosystems. This will enable you to learn about the remote sensing and modelling we use for this. It will also enable staff to further stretch their research impact in a complex and growing subject area, as well as providing the chance to apply cutting edge, technical research to commercial activities. 

We have also been working for several years with Down to Earth Derby, on nature-based regeneration and connecting communities with nature and growing food. A major project we are working on at the moment, with the Eden Project, is a community garden on part of Sturgess Fields, a site owned by the University between Kedleston Road and Markeaton Street sites. The plan is to create a New Commons that will be managed with the community. There are lots of opportunities for you to work on here, both in creating and maintaining the site, undertaking ecological monitoring and getting involved in community education programmes.

Sea Life project

Ibrahim Fetin carried out his third-year research project on blacktip reef sharks at Sea Life.

Far-reaching research

You'll learn from a research-active teaching team. They are pursuing important studies into diverse topics including:

• The evolution of animal mating strategies
• Disease-causing agents in corals
• Bioremediation of freshwater ecosystems (using living organisms, such as microbes and bacteria, to improve the environment)
• The welfare of captive orangutans
• The genetics and conservation of natterjack toads

Our staff publish influential papers and conduct research locally, nationally and globally.

Zoology Programme Leader Dr Maren Huck completed her postdoctoral research at the Owl Monkey Project in the Formosa province of northern Argentina. She worked with Professor Eduardo Fernandez-Duque (then University of Pennsylvania, now Yale University).

Owl monkeys are unusual. They are the only night-active true monkeys, and also belong to a handful of mammal species that are pair-living and genetically monogamous. And the male is the main carer for the infants.

Maren is still collaboration with Eduardo and other colleagues on the project. They continue to investigate the evolution of pair-living, monogamy, and male care, as well as other aspects of owl monkey behaviour. They do this using a database that spans more than 20 years of fieldwork. This even involved one of our Zoology students volunteering and collecting data for her final-year project on owl monkeys in Argentina.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You’ll be taught through lectures and tutorials, supported by hands-on practicals and fieldwork. You could study rutting red deer, or spend a week completing a project in the Mediterranean. You’ll also conduct an independent research project to develop your analytical skills in an area of your choice.

Assessment

Assessment is varied and includes computer-based assessments, scientific posters and oral presentations, professional reports, essays, making short videos, fieldwork and laboratory reports, as well as traditional written examinations. Many assessments can be tailored to suit your own interests and career goals.

Work placements

We offer full support to you if you decide to do a work placement in year three, which we strongly recommend. Work placement allows you to apply in a working environment the skills and knowledge you have gained on your course. This will give you more desirability in the eyes of potential employers. There is also a vocational module so you can gain credits by doing work related to your degree.

2023 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2023 entry.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

2024 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

2023/24

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

"Completing a research placement at Birmingham's National Sea Life Centre was an incredibly strong and positive addition to my studies at the University of Derby. It really helped develop my CV, enhanced my PhD applications and gave me a head start in my career pathway." Ben Mcilwaine, BSc (Hons) Zoology graduate

Our focus is on ensuring you develop strong intellectual, technical and personal skills to build an impressive CV and meet the needs of employers. With opportunities for internships, volunteering and placements, our hands-on approach to study will ensure you’re ready for the world of work.

Recent graduates have gone on to work in areas such as:

• Zoos and wildlife parks
• Wildlife trusts
• RSPCA
• Environment Agency
• Veterinary practices
• Conservation
• Teaching
• Scientific Civil Service
• Conservation campaigns

Others have progressed to teaching and lecturing careers after completing postgraduate study, or have advanced to gain veterinary and medical qualifications

Through our Professional Development Package, you'll gain valuable skills, including:

• Scientific writing and use of scientific software
• Written and verbal communication
• Research and statistical analysis
• Data handling and analysis
• Personal motivation, organisation and self-reflection
• Digital competency
• Laboratory and fieldwork analysis 
• Critical awareness
• Project management

In addition, our zoology course provides an excellent preparation if you would like to move on to further study, including medical qualifications, a masters degree or a PhD. You could choose to continue learning with us by embarking on our MSc Conservation Biology or MSc Environmental Assessment and Control - certain combinations of modules on this course will make you eligible for membership of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).

Careers and Employment Service

To boost your employment skills, you can access the University's Careers and Employment Service. The team can connect you with employers to help find opportunities for work placements, part-time jobs, and volunteering. Our careers consultants are also on hand to guide you through the career options for your degree, CV writing, or starting your own business - and we commit to helping you for three years after you graduate to find a job. 

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Additional costs and optional extras

We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

Included in your fees

• All equipment and consumables needed for your experimental/ fieldwork are provided by the University. Consumables for the Independent Study, subject to costing approval by your Programme Leader
• Free membership of the Royal Society of Biology for a year after graduation
• Residential fieldtrips in compulsory modules, previous destinations have included Tenerife and Majorca. Mandatory day fieldtrips in optional modules: previous destinations have included Kew Gardens, Sea Life Centre and the Peak District
• Students studying the three year course will receive free membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) during their studies until they graduate

Mandatory costs not included in your fees

• If not already owned, appropriate footwear for fieldwork such as Wellington/Walking boots - approximate cost is between £10-£100
• If not already owned, appropriate outdoor clothing such as a waterproof jacket and trousers - approximate cost is between £50-£100

Optional costs not included in your fees

• Recommended textbooks - approximate cost is £60
• Additional international fieldtrip costs for optional modules as follows: Tropical Marine Biology L6 (Maldives) - approximate cost is £2,000
• Travel to work experience/placements - cost is dependent on your placement venue of choice

Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Other courses you might like

• Zoology with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)
• Biology BSc (Hons)
• Biology with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)
• Environmental Sustainability BSc (Hons)
• Environmental Sustainability with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)