Undergraduate Zoology 2023-2024

This course emphasises how evolution has shaped the spatial and temporal patterns of animal biodiversity, and how we can use molecular genetic tools to gain a better understanding of what biodiversity means and how we can measure it.

In lectures you are guided through the theory of evolution and how this influences patterns of genetic diversity and affects biodiversity.

In practical sessions, you gain insight into the microevolutionary processes that can shape genetic variation in natural populations and some tools used to study the evolution of biodiversity.

Through a poster presentation you gain specialised knowledge and experience communicating complex ideas and synthesizing information about the latest developments in evolutionary biology.

Through written assignments you will consider how evolutionary processes shape biodiversity in Scotland and how we can maintain this biodiversity through effective stewardship, conservation and management.

• This course explores how marine organisms interact with each other and their environment to form functioning ecosystems.
• Consideration of biological production in the sea will show how marine ecosystems are fuelled.
• The structure and function of marine food webs will be explored to give an appreciation of important differences from terrestrial food webs and how they respond to natural and anthropogenic influences.
• Practical sessions will develop your skills in collecting, analysing and interpreting marine ecological data.
• An introduction to the ‘ecosystem-based approach’ will show how understanding of marine ecosystem functioning can be applied to managing human activities in the sea.

This course considers the evolution, physiology and behaviour of domestic, companion and captive wild animals in relation to their husbandry and care.

You will apply your knowledge of biology and zoology to the improvement of management practices and to the enhancement of animal welfare.  Field trips to local farms and a wildlife park will allow you to observe industry standards for captive animal welfare.

By researching and presenting a seminar on ethical issues related to animals in captivity, you will develop critical thinking skills and build experience in constructing and evidencing an argument, and also gain skills in group working and oral communication.

The variety of infections and pathologies seems almost limitless, and although some of the commonest infections have been studied intensely, it's fair to say that the biological and environmental processes relating to infections are often poorly-understood. We are also living through a time when some deadly diseases are on the increase – this is for a host of reasons including overuse of antibiotics or misinformation about common therapies such as vaccination. Infectious disease isn’t going away.

The course covers a diverse set of topics from fish diversity, through reproductive strategies and fisheries science to perspectives on sustainable aquaculture and marine environmental issues. Guest speakers from Marine Scotland Science and the Scottish fisherman’s association along with field visits to a freshwater fishery and Peterhead fish market will exemplify applied science in action and give you an appreciation of the industry view of fisheries management. Field work on rocky shores around Aberdeen will give you firsthand experience of fisheries data collection and analysis in the unusual context of a commercial invertebrate fishery.

Weekly practical activities will provide opportunities to observe animals, develop an understanding of the adaptive value of animal behaviour, and the practical methods we use to study it. Each will be preceded by a lecture covering the subject area and the expectations for the practical that week.

Tasks involving the design of simple experiments to address cause and function of animal behaviour will develop skills in experimental design and hypothesis testing.

Training in the use of a lab/field notebook allows students to demonstrate competence in record keeping. Written reports on a practical experiment supports the develop of communication skills.

Students will apply their knowledge by conducting their own research project, setting their question and choosing a study system, collecting, visualising, and analysing data, and writing up the report

Residential field course based on Ngala Training Camp, Balule Game Reserve, and the Greater Kruger Ecosystem in South Africa, structured to provide you with training in animal tracking and the interpretation of ecological data in the field.

Local experts teach tracking skills and provide lessons related to natural history, palaeontology, vegetation, and the complexities of implementing conservation in the local context.

Visits to a variety of local habitats will reinforce taxonomic and species identification skills.

By maintaining a field notebook, completing a project and passing a test will allow you to demonstrate achievement of the course learning outcomes.

Dates for 2022/2023 are approximately the last two weeks in August.

Please note that the information provided is subject to change due to the ongoing Covid-19 government guidelines

Students explore science, policy and management issues relevant to the sustainable management of marine resources through individual- and group-based research.

The course uses a problem-based learning approach which increases enthusiasm, promotes deeper learning and improves abilities in team working.

Students enhance critical thinking skills by analysing quantitative data relevant to managing the impacts of human activities on marine resources.

Guest lectures provide opportunities to network with professionals working with marine resources.

Assessment is based on oral presentations, a briefing note and final report, all of which help students to develop communication skills relevant to the workplace.

This course develops your knowledge and skills in analysing field data on changes in the distribution, abundance and survival of animal populations.

Practical work applying quantitative tools used in modern wildlife management will give you analytical and critical analysis skills valued by employers.

Guest speakers present case studies illustrating the application of these tools to current conservation and wildlife management problems.

You debate controversial issues that are informed by scientific evidence.

Each practical contributes a clue to solving an ecological problem and you will assemble these clues to formulate a management plan aimed at a conservation/wildlife management issue.

This course will give you the opportunity to learn about contemporary topics in fundamental behavioural ecology and how this knowledge can be applied to improve the conservation and management of animals.

Academics working at the cutting edge of behavioural research will report on the state-of-art in their field., while you will gain direct experience of in silico approaches regularly used by researchers. Directed learning activities will encourage further exploration of the latest advances in the field through recorded lectures and conference presentations and the critical examination of journal articles and pre-prints.

You will develop your understanding of the state of the art in the field and be introduced to the process of research planning by reviewing grant proposals. 

Lectures by research staff working in aquaculture provide you with specialised knowledge in a range of current issues, including growth, nutrition, health and disease resistance, genetics and environmental interactions.

Preparation for seminars and the essay allow you to direct your own learning and explore methods and current advances in your chosen topic.

Participation in the seminars helps you to develop your communication skills and provides you with feedback on your understanding of the issues.

This course covers human, livestock and wildlife parasitisms. The topics of host-parasite interactions, control of disease in humans and livestock, and impacts in wildlife are approached at the level of cell biology, immunology, epidemiology and health (veterinary and public).

Teaching combines lectures, research seminar style sessions, and student/group led exercises. A critical review essay provides an opportunity for independent study. Coursework is supported by individual and group tutorials.

The production of short technical reports and journalistic pieces offers opportunities to develop group working, presentation and writing skills.

Animal welfare is a concept based in science as well as philosophy – welfare can be measured and is important from an economic as well as moral point of view.

This course uses a mix of class discussions, site visits, guest lecturers and self-directed study to provide a framework on which students can build and synthesise their knowledge of the science of animal welfare.

Student-led activities promote the development of transferable skills such as time management, project planning and reporting.

This course will provide you with in-depth appreciation of four themes in diseases transmitted by invertebrate vectors all delivered by active researchers in this area.

Four weekly tutorials support the lecture topics in various formats including for and against debates, Dragon’s Den pitches and contingency plans for disease invasion control and suppression.

The mixture of a theoretical background, group discussion and examination of modern issues gives you a good grounding in vector-borne disease for future careers in this area while also developing your critical analysis and communication skills.