Program Overview

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Animal Behaviour, BSc

Introduction

Combine Biology and Psychology to measure and understand the behaviour of wild animals, the behaviour and welfare of companion, domestic, and captive exotic animals, and explore links between behaviour and applications such as conservation.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: BSc
• Duration: 48 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• Location of Study: Aberdeen
• UCAS Code: C349
• Pathway Programme Available: Undergraduate Foundation Programme

What You'll Study

Each year you take a selection of compulsory courses and optional courses that can be chosen from those on offer across the institution. The first two years lay a foundation for the more specialised third and fourth years.

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • Frontiers in Biological Sciences (BI1009)
  • Diversity of Life 1 (BI1012)
  • Introductory Psychology I: Concepts and Theory (PS1009)
  • Ecology and Environmental Science (BI1511)
  • Diversity of Life 2 (BI1512)
  • Introductory Psychology II: Concepts and Theory (PS1509)
  • The Cell (SM1501)
• Optional Courses: Plus select 15 credit points from Term1 courses of choice

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Biological Enhanced Skills Training (BEST) (BI2018)
  • Ecology (BI2020)
  • Introduction to Genetics (BI2023)
  • Comparative Physiology 1 (BI2524)
  • Introductory Psychology I: Concepts and Theory (PS1009)
  • Introductory Psychology II: Concepts and Theory (PS1509)
• Optional Courses: Plus select 45 credit points from courses of choice

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Statistical Analysis of Biological Data (BI3010)
  • Animal Management and Welfare (ZO3309)
  • Behavioural Biology (BI3505)
  • Gateway to Honours Project (BI3511)
  • Practical Skills in Animal Behaviour (ZO3813)
  • Animal Evolution and Biodiversity (ZO3515)
• Optional Courses: Plus select 45 credit points from courses of choice

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses:
  • SBS Honours Project (BI4016)
  • Behavioural Ecology and Conservation (ZO4543)
• Optional Courses: Plus 60 credits from courses of choice, at least 30 of which must be from courses delivered by the School of Biological Sciences (i.e. BI, EK, EV, FY, PL, or ZO courses) at level 4

How You'll Study

• Combine practice and theory: Typically, one third of your class time is practical and many courses include full-day practical classes and field visits.
• Research experience: You are actively involved in scientific research throughout your degree.
• Engaging and inspiring teaching: Our teaching methods are diverse, innovative and based on research on how students learn.

Learning Methods

• Field Trips
• Group Projects
• Lab Work
• Lectures
• Research
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

• Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course
• Practical assessments of the skills and competencies learnt on the course
• Written examinations at the end of each course

Why Study Animal Behaviour?

• Unique programme combining the fields of biology and psychology
• Teaching from researchers in biology and psychology gives access to the cutting edge of both subject areas
• Get to grips with methods for observing and measuring behaviour in our state-of-the-art Science Teaching Hub and through field trips to nature reserves to observe the behaviour of wild animals such as seals in their natural habitat

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• SQA Highers: AABB (or better) for 2024 entry, BBBB (or better) for 2025 entry
• A LEVELS: BBB (or better) for 2024 entry, BBC (or better) for 2025 entry
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL, with two Mathematics/ Science subjects at HL
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3 including a minimum of H3 from two Science or Mathematics subjects

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE Academic: OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
• Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Fees and Funding

• Tuition Fees: £9,535 for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland students, £24,800 for EU/International students
• Scholarships and Funding: Various scholarships available, including the Aberdeen Global Scholarship

Careers

• Employment Opportunities: Animal sciences in zoological, veterinary, and commercial areas; pharmaceuticals and applied medicine; conservation and natural resource management; and education and research
• Industry Links: Strong local, national and international links to industry, government bodies, charities and other research institutions

Accreditation

• Royal Society of Biology: Accredited programme, graduates receive one year of free membership

Facilities

• Research facilities: Animal holding facilities, greenhouses, fresh and salt-water aquaria, an insectarium, molecular and analytical laboratories, and a state of the art genomics lab
• Lighthouse Field Station: Research and teaching facility situated on the Cromarty Firth
• Science Teaching Hub: State-of-the-art facility providing students with a digitally focussed environment including advanced analytical tools, research-grade equipment and flexible laboratory spaces