Zoology with Professional Studies
The MSci in Zoology with Professional Studies at Queen’s aims to provide students with a broad coverage of the biology of animals and how they interact with other living organisms.
| Award Name | Degree - Masters at UK Level 7 |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Queens University Belfast |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Masters at UK Level 7 | Queens University Belfast |
Duration
5 years (Full Time)
Placement Year: Yes
Entry Requirements
Irish leaving certificate requirements
H2H3H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H2 and H3 in any order 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
H2H2H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H2 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, 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.
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
• 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 Study
Many students complete higher degrees, either in the UK or overseas, before embarking on a career in medical, agricultural and environmental research. Students can choose from a wide range of Master’s programmes at Queen’s, as well as a comprehensive list of PhD research topics.
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
The MSci Zoology with Professional studies enables students to develop knowledge and understanding of:
Concepts and theories from the molecular and cellular levels through to the whole-organism.
The principles and study of animals from the molecular to the community level.
The importance of zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases e.g. Covid-19.
Molecular techniques applied to de-extinction and conservation e.g. cloning.
The use of forensics and toxicology in the investigation of wildlife crime.
Practical laboratory skills to investigate and manipulate biological material including relevant physical, chemical and biological measurements and their application in a research project.
Collation, quantitative analysis and interpretation of experimental data, including problem-solving.
Communication and application of knowledge on the biological sciences.
The use of computers for data management and presentation.
The use of remote sensing technologies for the assessment of animal behaviour.
Intellectual, personal and team skills for employment and further study.
How the degree outcomes can be applied to the workplace and career planning.
How to carry out Masters level research.
Programmes with Professional studies undertake a 46 week work placement between stage 2 and 3. The skills and experience obtained are further enhances following the completion of the stage 3 project carried out either in internationally recognised laboratories or at internationally recognised field sites. The experience obtained equips the student with a readily transferable skill set for entry into either employment or future postgraduate study, including research.
Zoology With Professional Studies Degree Highlights
Students will spend a full academic year in a research laboratory undertaking a project of their choice from a wide selection of topics ranging from:
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)
Year 5
Core Modules
Research Project (MSci) (120 credits)
Admissions
Tel: 028 9097 3838
Fax: 028 9097 5151
Email address: admissions@qub.ac.uk