Animal Biology - BSc (Hons) - Full-time

If you love nature and the great outdoors, this course helps you put your passion to work, preparing you for a career in wildlife conservation. You’ll study a broad range of biological sciences but specialise in the study of a rich diversity of animals, from species on the bottom of the ocean, to the animals in your back garden. You’ll study how animals adapt to their environment and interact with one another, plus the impacts of pollution and climate change on the natural world.

Animal Biology introduces the diversity of animals, their form and function, how they are adapted to their environment and how they behave and interact with each other. In this course you will discover how studies in animal behaviour, ecology, physiology and evolution help us to understand animals in their natural environment. You will learn the main environmental threats faced by animals and habitats and the many ways to enact effective conservation. Your learning is also supported by international research conducted across the spectrum of biological sciences, and you'll get the opportunity to conduct your own independent research project. The course offers you the flexibility to study many different areas of biology and tailor the course to your own interests. You'll develop biological research skills such as species identification; field surveys in terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments; collection and analysis of behavioural data; and laboratory-based investigations. The applied nature of this course encourages the development of skills that make you more employable. You will develop a range of skills in communication, IT, problem solving, research and team working. You will also acquire specialist analytical and numerical skills and be able to collect biological data and communicate scientific information effectively. You’ll get hands on fieldwork experience, including residential field trips to the island of Cumbrae and the Mediterranean Algarve. The emphasis on research in this course equips you with the knowledge and skills required to continue on to postgraduate study, including possible PhD study within the school and a further academic career. You will also have valuable experience of practical field work. conservation and environmental protection wildlife ranger / warden field biology ecology environmental charities education research View Full Screen

What's involved The course is studied full-time over four years, though it may also be studied part-time. You will learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions, field trips and independent study. There may also be some opportunities to study abroad. Year 1 Life on Earth, Introductory Physiology, Molecules and Cells, two practical modules plus one optional module from: Plant Science Concepts in Forensic Biology Co-curricular modules in a variety of subjects Year 2 Microbiology, Biochemistry, Physiology and the Environment, Animal Behaviour, a practical module and one optional module from Valuing the Earth Biology of Disease Microbes and Man Co-curricular modules in a variety of subjects Year 3 Scientific Communication - Dissertation and Statistics, Freshwater Biology, Population and Community Ecology, Marine Biology, Life of Mammals, Applied Terrestrial Ecology Year 4 Advances in Ecology, Advances in Animal Behaviour, Environmental Management, Honours project

Requirements at a glanceEntry to the courseTypical year 1 SQA HigherBBBB A LevelBCC Irish Leaving CertificateB1,B2,B2,B2 at Higher Level must include Biology OR Human Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Maths, English, Biology & Chemistry at Ordinary Level B2. Subjects requiredHigher / A Level Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Standard Grade / GCSE English, Maths, Biology & Chemistry (or Double Award Science) (3/C). Typical year 2 HNCIn a related subject with A in graded unit. Typical year 3 HNDIn related subject area with Grade BB at SCQF Level 8 in the graded unit. Typical Entry requirements indicate the minimum qualifications with which students are normally accepted. Competition for places varies from year-to-year and achievement of the typical entry requirements does not always guarantee a place.Fees Table2012/3 2013/4 Scotland £1,820 £1,820 European Union £1,820 £1,820 Rest of UK £6,500 £6,630 Overseas £11,250 £11,700 Fees displayed are correct at the time of publication but the University Court reserves the right to make changes in fees at any time, and without notice, before or after the student's admission to the University.Tuition fees are reviewed annually and will rise each year during your programme of study, at least in line with inflation.