Zoo Biology (with foundation year) BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

Develop a firm understanding of scientific principles and their application in zoo management, including the conservation of exotic species. Gain hands-on experience through practical and research modules as well as industry engagement.

Program Outline

The foundation year acts as a launch pad, supporting you with the transition to university learning. Anticipate a year filled with the development of robust study skills, increased confidence in tackling intricate problems, and the cultivation of independent learning. Rest assured, by the end of this transformative year, you'll emerge well-prepared for the exhilarating challenges that await you at degree level. This course represents a unique opportunity for you to study a wider range of species than those covered in traditional animal science degrees. Your learning will focus on the biology of exotic species, namely non-domestic and non-UK wildlife. Your lectures will cover major scientific principles, including anatomy and physiology, behaviour, genetics, ecology and nutrition. You’ll apply these principles to the management and conservation of zoo species.

Outline:

Year One

• Foundation Biology: Study fundamental biological concepts across various areas.
• Laboratory Skills: Gain essential laboratory skills for biological and environmental sciences.
Emphasizing good laboratory practice, health and safety, and key techniques like weighing, dilution, titration, and microscopy, you'll develop proficiency in recording, evaluating, and presenting laboratory findings.
• Science in Practice: Learn cross-disciplinary scientific application skills.
Utilizing case studies, you'll explore how scientific principles address real-world problems in various sectors.
• Field Skills: Gain technical and practical field skills.
Through practical classes on the campus estate and at other locations, you'll explore fieldwork safety and risk assessment, as well as key techniques like map reading, plant and animal identification, and environmental analysis. Additionally, you'll also look at data collection in the field and report writing for fieldwork. Via problem-based and experiential learning, you'll explore note-taking, Virtual Learning Environment usage, time management, assessment interpretation, exam techniques, professional communication, scientific write-ups, citation and referencing, and presentation skills.

Year Two

• Animal Physiology: Gain a broad understanding of animal structure and function across a range of species.
• Animal Husbandry: Learn how to successfully manage animal collections and develop practical handling skills across a range of species.
• Animal Behaviour: Study patterns of behaviour and the reasons why animals behave as they do in managed housing systems.
Practical sessions will investigate assisted reproductive technologies and how these increase an animal’s reproductive success in captivity. Develop technical and analytical laboratory skills relevant to the animal industry and gain an understanding of how these techniques are utilised in animal disease investigation.
• Animal Cognition and Training: Understand how animal cognition affects training.
Develop training skills to enable you to apply different approaches to training animals and reducing behavioural problems.
• Priorities for Modern Zoos: Understand the role of zoos in the contexts of in-situ and ex-situ conservation.
Explore how education within zoos can contribute towards conservation.

Year Three

• Physiology of Behaviour: Explore the way in which animals behave in relation to their environment.
Learn and understand key areas of mammalian physiology and pharmacology, and how this relates to behaviour.
• Research Skills: Explore the principles of scientific investigation in relation to animal science.
Topics covered include experimental design, data generation and collection, and data analysis. You'll also explore commonly used statistical packages.
• Animal Nutritional Health: Investigate how nutrition affects animal health and understand diet formulation in a variety of species.
• Zoo Conservation Genetics: Apply the theory of traditional population genetics with the practicalities of captive breeding.
You'll look at the goal of retaining long-term evolutionary potential in endangered species.
• Zoo Biology Field Course: Evaluate the complexities of conserving and managing animal species in the wild.
Topics include behavioural monitoring, population management, animal health and conservation legislation. Learning takes place on a residential trip. Previous examples of trip locations include Scotland and a reserve in South Africa.
• Welfare Science: Evaluate methods of assessing and monitoring animal welfare, including physiological and behavioural indicators of good and poor welfare.
You'll apply your knowledge to a variety of situations in various management systems and levels of confinement, and across a range of species.

Year Four

• Dissertation: You will undertake an independent research project.
• Optional Module:
• Adaptive Physiology:
Study the physiological challenges presented by different environments and the adaptations that enable animals to overcome them.
• Advanced Animal Nutrition: Study advanced topics in nutritional science.
These include clinical nutrition, recent advances in the field, ethical and sustainability issues in nutritional provision for animals under human care, and research methods relevant to the nutritional sciences.

Assessment:

• Year One: coursework (100%)
• Year Two: coursework (50%), written exam (33%), practical (17%)
• Year Three: coursework (50%), written exam (17%), practical (33%)
• Year Four: coursework (83%), written exam (17%)

Teaching:

You will be taught through a variety of methods including group seminars, lectures and practical sessions. We have strong links with UK zoos and wildlife parks. Throughout the course, you’ll hear from external industry professionals through guest lectures and visits to a range of animal health, welfare and conservation organisations, zoological and wildlife parks, aquaria and breeding centres.

Careers:

Developed in conjunction with representatives from industry, the course is designed to maximise your potential in a broad range of animal-related careers. These include various roles within zoos both in the UK and abroad, working in areas such as conservation education, research, and zookeeping.

• We're ranked first in the UK for teaching quality in Animal Science courses (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).
• NTU is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA).
We are also a teaching provider for Species 360s’ animal record keeping system: Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS).
• We're ranked third in the UK for Animal Science students who are positive about the assessment and feedback on their course (full-time first degrees, National Student Survey 2023).
• You’ll also be encouraged and supported to gain important and relevant industry experience at appropriate organisations throughout the course.
Our students have previously been based at organisations such as welfare organisations or feed manufacturers.
• Students have carried out placements at companies such as: Woburn Safari Park, Bristol Zoo, Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust: Paignton Zoo, Dao Tien Endangered Primate Centre (Vietnam), Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (Jersey), UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve (South Africa).

Mode of study International tuition fee Full-time £17,150 Full-time with placement £17,150 + £1,850 (placement year)