Zoology

Zoology is the study of animal life in all its extraordinary diversity, from the simplest invertebrates to the most complex vertebrates, from the deep ocean floor to the forest canopy. It investigates the structure, development, evolution, classification, behaviour, and distribution of animals both living and extinct, drawing on anatomy, physiology, ecology, genetics, and evolutionary biology to understand how animals work, how they have diversified across geological time, and how they interact with each other and their environments. As biodiversity comes under increasing pressure from habitat loss and climate change, zoological expertise has never been more urgently needed.

At the University of St Andrews, this BSc (Hons) involves a wide-ranging exploration of the animal kingdom, giving you both the depth and the breadth to engage with the discipline as professional zoologists and researchers understand it. You will combine laboratory and fieldwork with rigorous theoretical study, developing the taxonomic, ecological, and evolutionary knowledge that is central to zoology alongside the practical skills needed to work with animals in natural and controlled environments. The programme includes a year abroad and runs over four years full-time.

Graduates of zoology programmes work in conservation organisations, wildlife management, zoos, national parks, environmental consultancy, animal research, and government natural history bodies. The scientific training is also valued in biomedical research, pharmaceutical development, and education. Many graduates go on to postgraduate research in areas such as animal behaviour, ecology, conservation biology, or evolutionary biology, where a rigorous undergraduate foundation in the breadth of zoological science is an essential preparation.