The BSc in Zoology is a four-year course run by the School of Biology. The programme begins with a broad foundation across the range of biology, and then progresses from modules in molecular, cellular and organismal biology to a choice of options across a range of topics such as animal behaviour, development, evolution, neurobiology, environmental physiology, sea mammal biology, and various more ecological topics.
Alongside zoology, in the first year of your studies you will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year, you will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two. Find out more about how academic years are organised.
In third year, there is a shift from core, broad-themed modules to more specialised modules that allow students to prepare for their Honours degree. In fourth year, students continue specific research in their chosen area through student-led, inquiry-based learning.
Centres of research within the School of Biology offer students the experience of working alongside experts and the opportunity to develop their own research in Honours years.
These facilities include:
- The Scottish Oceans Institute houses a modern aquarium and laboratories for molecular, developmental and physiological studies of marine systems. The institute is ideally placed on the seashore near grey and common seal colonies and bottlenose dolphin feeding areas.
- The Centre for Biological Diversity has excellent facilities for behavioural, ecological and evolutionary research on small animals (including birds, insects and fish) and on plants.
- The Biomedical Sciences Research Complex offers large multi-group laboratories that are focused on structural biology, molecular microbiology, virology, chemical biology and molecular medicine.
Field trips
From first year to Honours, students studying biology will also have the opportunity to go on field trips to gather data. During third year, zoology students may participate in a week-long field course involving field-based exercises in a range of aquatic or terrestrial habitats. Students will be able to examine and measure biodiversity, ecophysiological adaptation and community structure with both plant and animal materials.
The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure web page.
The BSc in Zoology involves a wide-ranging exploration of the animal kingdom, investigating the structure, development, evolution, classification, behaviour, and distribution of all types of animals, both living and extinct.
The choice of modules provides organismal, cellular, and molecular perspectives, including developmental, behavioural, neurophysiological, and environmental approaches with examples ranging from single-celled animals to marine mammals.
In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours), you will take the required modules in Zoology alongside modules in at least one other subject.
Typically, you will take core zoology modules during your first two years, and advanced modules during your third and fourth year (known as Honours).
- First year
- Second year
- Honours
In first year, modules introduce you to core subject material relevant to all biology degree programmes. Both of the following modules are compulsory.
Students take the following compulsory first-year modules:
- Biology 1: provides an introduction to molecular and cellular biology. It covers cell diversity and the origins of life, cellular structures and fundamental processes.
- Biology 2: provides an introduction to the diversity of life on Earth and addresses key elements of organismal and ecological aspects of life.
In second year, modules are chosen which will best prepare you for your intended degree (or group of possible degrees) and new topics are introduced in some second-year modules such as evolutionary biology and ecology. Students intending to study zoology at Honours level must take the following compulsory modules:
- Animal Behaviour: covers the four ways in which we explain behaviour in a range of animals, including examples from all major taxa and from all habitats.
- Invertebrate Zoology: surveys the major invertebrate groups, emphasising the diversity of body plans while demonstrating how the common functional requirements such as feeding, reproduction, respiration and excretion are achieved.
- Research Methods in Biology: develops essential academic and transferable skills, with major emphasis on problem solving. This is achieved through a combination of interactive lectures, independent data-handling workshops and group work on a mini research project.
- Vertebrate Zoology: explores the diversity of vertebrate animals, beginning with the closest relatives of vertebrates and the evolutionary origins of the group.
In third year, you will continue to specialise in zoology via a wide range of modules covering core topics. Modules that have been offered in previous years include:
- Animal Behaviour: A Quantitative Approach
- Biology of Marine Organisms
- Ecosystems and Conservation
- Evolution
- Genes, Cells and Development
- Terrestrial Zoology.
In fourth year, you will study your chosen subject area at a deeper scientific level and will also have the opportunity to select from a wide range of small, group-specialised modules. These modules are taught by academics at the forefront of their discipline.
In this year, students also undertake a substantial final-year research project. This research project is designed to develop skills in experimental design and problem-solving, the evaluation and interpretation of data, and communication skills. A research project is also undertaken throughout the year.
The compulsory modules listed here must be taken in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. For Honours level, students choose from a range of Honours modules, some of which are listed above. A full list of all modules appropriate to the programme for the current academic year can be found in the programme requirements.
Teaching
- Teaching format
- Assessment
- Support
The BSc in Zoology is taught through a combination of:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- practical classes
- field work.
The practical elements of the course, which are taught in the laboratory and in the field, enable you to learn the wide range of skills required of a modern biologist. Students are taught in state-of-the-art teaching laboratories. Alongside the development of practical biological skills, students are also given the opportunity to expand on their presentation and IT skills.
Typical class sizes:
- First year: lectures 250 to 300 students, practicals 80 to 100 students
- Second year: lectures 80 to 175 students, practicals 40 to 60 students
- Third year: lectures 20 to 140 students, practicals 20 to 60 students
- Fourth year: 5 to 25 students per module.
Fourth year allows you to focus on a major project which occupies half of the year. Working on this project will enable you to develop key research skills which are desired by both prospective employers and by graduate schools offering postgraduate degrees. The project can also lead to your first publication in a scientific journal.
When not attending lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:
- working on individual and group projects
- undertaking research in the library or in PC classrooms
- preparing coursework assignments and presentations
- preparing for examinations.
During first and second year, all modules are assessed by an equal weighting of coursework and written examinations.
In third year, most modules give a higher weighting to examinations. In fourth year, some modules are entirely assessed by coursework, while others include written examinations in addition to coursework.
The School aims to provide feedback on assessments and coursework within three weeks to help you improve on future assessments.
Most examinations are held at the end of the semester during a dedicated exam diet, and revision time is provided beforehand.
Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements. Please note that some Schools offer qualified entry to Honours, and this will be clearly specified in the programme requirements. To find out the classification equivalent of points, please see the common reporting scale.
You will be taught by a research-led teaching team with expertise and knowledge of biology. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of tutorials under the supervision of the module leader.
You can find contact information for all biology staff on the School of Biology website.
The University’s Student Services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page.
Universities In Australia 
Universities In Canada 
Universities In Germany 
Universities In Ireland 
Universities In Jordan 
Universities In New Zealand 
Universities In Saudi Arabia 
Universities In United Kingdom 
Universities In United States Of America 
