Zoology

Zoology is the scientific study of the animal kingdom in all its diversity: from the behaviour of individual organisms to the dynamics of whole ecosystems, and from the molecular biology of animal development to the evolutionary processes that have produced the extraordinary variety of life on Earth. It is both a laboratory and a field science, requiring zoologists to work with organisms directly, to collect and analyse data carefully, and to think across the full range of biological scales from gene to ecosystem.

At the University of Derby, this three-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities, making it one of the most experientially rich ways to study the subject available in the UK. The foundation year provides a supportive entry point and ensures you develop the scientific knowledge and study skills you need before progressing to the main degree. From there, you will cover the core areas of the discipline: animal behaviour and ecology, genetics and evolution, physiology, conservation biology, and the practical methods of fieldwork and laboratory investigation.

Placements and the year abroad give you the opportunity to work in conservation or research settings and to encounter animal diversity in different habitats and geographical contexts, which enriches your understanding in ways that classroom study alone cannot replicate.

Zoology graduates work in conservation organisations, environmental consultancies, wildlife management agencies, zoos and aquaria, government agencies, education, and scientific research. The combination of hands-on fieldwork, laboratory science, and placement experience developed through this programme prepares you well for the practical demands of professional life in these settings. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in ecology, conservation biology, zoology, wildlife management, or related life sciences, developing the specialised expertise needed for research or senior professional roles in conservation and environmental management.