Zoology

Zoology is the scientific study of animals in all their diversity, from the cellular mechanisms that underpin life to the ecological processes that shape populations and ecosystems. It encompasses behaviour, physiology, evolution, genetics, ecology and conservation, drawing on field, laboratory and computational methods to understand how animals function, how they interact with one another and with their environments, and how human activity is reshaping the natural world.

At the University of Glasgow, this four-year programme combines academic depth with practical emphasis, challenging you to apply theory in lab settings, in the field and in the analysis of data. The programme covers a broad range of species, from invertebrates to vertebrates, and addresses questions at multiple scales, from the molecular biology of animal function to the population dynamics of wild species under pressure from climate change and habitat loss. The year abroad gives you the opportunity to study or conduct research in a different environment, an experience that can be genuinely formative for anyone pursuing a career in ecology or conservation.

Practical skills are central to the degree. You will undertake fieldwork, design and conduct experiments, use standard laboratory techniques and work with biological and ecological data using statistical and computational tools. Scientific communication, both written and oral, is developed throughout, and by the later years you will be working on independent research projects that require you to frame questions, collect evidence and interpret findings critically.

Graduates pursue careers in conservation and environmental management, wildlife research, ecological consultancy, zoo and aquarium management, veterinary science, biotechnology and science communication. Many go on to postgraduate study, including doctoral research in ecology, evolutionary biology, wildlife conservation or related fields. The analytical and fieldwork skills developed through zoology are also valued in environmental policy, public health and education.