Zoology with Professional Studies
Zoology comprises a breadth of opportunities emanating from the study of the biology of animals and how they interact with the environment and other living organisms.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor at UK Level 6 |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Queens University Belfast |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor at UK Level 6 | Queens University Belfast |
Duration
4 years (Full Time)
Placement Year: Yes
Entry Requirements
H3H3H3H3H4H4/H3H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H3 in Biology and at least one from Chemistry (preferred), Geography, Mathematics or Physics + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade O4 in Chemistry and Mathematics
OR
H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H3 in Biology + Ordinary Level grade O4 in Chemistry and Mathematics.
It would be an advantage to have studied Higher Level Chemistry.
Careers / Further progression
Career Prospects
Introduction
Graduates are qualified to take up both scientific and non-scientific careers. These positions encompass areas of innovative research and development of new products, advisory and consultancy work, particularly in companies or organisations concerned with animal and plant health, environmental management, pharmaceutical products and biotechnology.
Graduates pursue careers in teaching, nature conservation and laboratory-based posts in biomedical, industrial, pharmaceutical, academic and government institutions as well as in universities and colleges of higher education. The remainder undertake further training in areas such as computing, administration and management or medicine (human or veterinary), developing their skills from a sound scientific background. Further training also helps them to find employment in a variety of non-biological careers, including public service administration, industrial management, banking, accountancy and computing.
Employers are looking for graduates with generic skills of communication, problem-solving, data analysis, social skills, a range of interests and a record of success. We believe that a degree in Zoology will help our students to develop these skills. For further information on careers see the Institute of Biology website. Please note that the same careers are open to both Zoology and Biology graduates.
Career Services
The School of Biological Sciences employs a dedicated careers adviser who has developed an extensive portfolio of employers, both nationally and internationally, within the science sector. Advice is also provided on CV preparation, interview techniques and securing summer work or longer placements.
Placement Employers
Our past students have also gained work placement with organisations such as:
• Northern Ireland Water Ltd
• The Environment Agency
• The Forensic Service
• Moy Park
• North Atlantic Whale Foundation
• The National Trust
• Randox Laboratories
• Norbrook Laboratories Ltd
• The Almac Group
• Ulster Wildlife Trust
• Castle Espie
• Belfast Zoo
• RSPB
• Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary
• Harnas Wildlife Foundation
• Mopane and Mapesu Private Game Reserve
• Turtle Foundation
• Wildfowl and Wetland trust
Further information
Start date: September 2024
Deadlines for on-time applications
2024 entry application deadlines
For courses starting in 2024 (and for deferred applications), your application should be with us at UCAS by one of these dates – depending on what courses you apply for. If your completed application – including all your personal details and your academic reference – is submitted by the deadline, it is guaranteed to be considered.
16 October 2023 for 2024 entry at 18:00 (UK time) – any course at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, or for most courses in medicine, veterinary medicine/science, and dentistry. You can add choices with a different deadline later, but don’t forget you can only have five choices in total.
31 January 2024 for 2024 entry at 18:00 (UK time) – for the majority of courses.
Some course providers require additional admissions tests to be taken alongside the UCAS application, and these may have a deadline. Find out more about these tests at https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/admissions-tests
Check course information in the search tool to see which deadline applies to you at the application weblink below.
Apply as soon as possible: Student funding arrangements mean that as offers are made and places fill up, some courses may only have vacancies for students from certain locations. It’s therefore really important that you apply for your chosen courses by the appropriate deadlines mentioned above, as not all courses will have places for all students.
All applications received after 30 June are entered into Clearing - find out more about Clearing at https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/clearing-and-results-day/what-clearing
Zoology is the study of animals, from the simplest invertebrates to the largest terrestrial or marine mammals. Simple animals often provide models for the study of higher, more complex species (including humans) and help drive basic research that transcends the subject boundaries.
Animals interact with each other and with their environment, forming complex relationships such that zoologists need a broad understanding of the living world, life processes and the animal kingdom. Importantly, zoonotic diseases are an ever growing threat to human health e.g. Covid-19. Exciting progress is being made in animal biology and behaviour, animal health and welfare and in the management of animal communities,emerging infectious diseases, conservation, de-extinction using cloning, the use of remote sensing technologies to aid conservation and addressing climate change making this the perfect time to study Zoology.
Zoology With Professional Studies Degree Highlights
Zoologists at QUB have the opportunity to avail of the strong international links with Universities in South Africa, America and Canada
Professional Accreditations
Royal Society Accreditation
This course has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology. Ultimately this award highlights the academic quality of the course and its contribution in ensuring that its graduates meet employer needs by acquiring the necessary skill set of both technical and transferable skills.
The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.
Year 1
Core Modules
Biodiversity (20 credits)
Genetics and the Molecular Toolbox (20 credits)
Environmental Biology (20 credits)
World of Microorganisms (20 credits)
Fundamentals of Microbiology (20 credits)
Molecular Basis of Life (20 credits)
Year 2
Core Modules
Invertebrate Biology (20 credits)
Comparative Animal Physiology (20 credits)
Vertebrate Biology (20 credits)
Optional Modules
Microbial Metabolism and Biocatalysis (20 credits)
Advanced Cell Biology (20 credits)
Microorganisms in Action (20 credits)
Coastal and Oceanic Biology (20 credits)
Cell Biology (20 credits)
Applied Genetics (20 credits)
Forensics and Toxicology (20 credits)
Applied Ecology (20 credits)
Year 3
Core Modules
Professional Studies (120 credits)
Year 4
Core Modules
Research Project (40 credits)
Parasitology (20 credits)
Optional Modules
Behavioural Ecology (20 credits)
Immunology and Immunotherapy (20 credits)
Medical Microbiology (20 credits)
Sustainable Oceans (20 credits)
Conservation Biology (20 credits)
Farm Animal Health and Welfare (20 credits)
Zoonoses (20 credits)
Global Change Biology (20 credits)
Admissions
Tel: 028 9097 3838
Fax: 028 9097 5151
Email address: admissions@qub.ac.uk