Zoology covers all aspects of animal life. This wide-ranging scientific area plays an important role in modern developments in biotechnology, genetics, animal behaviour and physiology, parasitology and ecology.

Zoology is a core discipline for the biological sciences and for the environmental and earth-system sciences, and is fundamental in applied fields such as environmental biology, pest and disease management, aquaculture and fisheries.

Students will learn about all animal biology, from microscopic, single-celled forms to complex forms such as fish, reptiles, birds and mammals, including man. It is mainly concerned with living species, of which more than one million are described and up to 10 million are as yet undescribed. But knowledge of extinct forms, covering 350 million years of evolution, is also important.

The study of zoology at UCC includes animal structure (anatomy and physiology), development (embryology), diversity (taxonomy), physiology, behaviour, ecology, genetics, evolution, and distributions (biogeography).

Year 1 Modules:

BL1002 Cells, Biomolecules, Genetics and Evolution (5 credits);

BL1004 Physiology and Structure of Plants and Animals (5 credits);

BL1005 Habitats and Ecosystems (5 credits);

CM1003 Introductory Chemistry for Environmental Scientists (10 credits);

ER1006 Applied Earth Systems (5 credits);

EV1002 The Environment (5 credits);

GG1010 Introduction to Physical Geography (5 credits);

GL1001 Introduction to Geology (5 credits);

GL1004 Geological Evolution of Ireland (5 credits);

MA1001 Calculus for Science 1 (5 credits);

PY1009 Physics for the Environment Sciences 1 (5 credits)

Year 2 Modules:

Core:

Plant and Animal Genetics; Practical Ecological Skills;  Vertebrate Diversity; Invertebrate Diversity; Practical Invertebrate Skills;  Ecological Plant Physiology;  Biostatistics; Fundamentals of Ecology;  Fossils as Living Organisms; Plant Biotechnology

Electives

Environment and Public Health;  Calculus for Science;  Plant Identification

Year 3 Modules:

Core:

Practical Field Ecology (residential field course); Literature Review;  Evolution & Diversity;  Biostatistics; Advanced Vertebrate Biology;  Conservation Biology;  Adaptations to Extreme Environments;  Animal Behaviour

Electives:

Ecotoxicology; Micropalaeontology & Palnology; Plants & Hostile Environments;  Ecology and Hyrdology of Wetland Systems

Year 4 Modules:

Core:

Research Project;  Frontiers in Biology; Research Skills in Biology; Biostatistics;  Biology of Marine Mammals;  Landscape Conservation and Management or Temperate Marine Biology (residential field course);  Food Production;  Evolutionary Ecology

Electives:

Advanced Ecotoxicology; Biology & Management of Alien Species; Biological Work Placement; Environmentally Protective Management of Plant Pests & Pathogens;  Crop Physiology and Climate Change

See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the programme and the Book of Modules for a more detailed description of programme modules.

Leaving Certificate entry requirements: 

2017:  H5 in two subjects and O6 in four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate from Irish, English, Mathematics, one Laboratory Science subject (i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science) and two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

Additional Requirements: H4 in a Laboratory Science subject or Mathematics or Applied Mathematics.

Mature students: Applicants should apply directly to the CAO and are assessed on the basis of academic and/or professional background in a science-related discipline, evidenced by exam results and their personal statement.  Approximately twelve places are available on this course for mature students 

International Students should visit the International Education website.

FETAC Requirements.

EU Applicants: Application to Year 1 of the degree programme is made directly through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Applicants should apply online at www.cao.ie. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of entry.

Non-EU Applicants

Mature Applicants:  Application is made through the CAO and the closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of proposed entry.

Lectures: In addition to lectures, courses are taught through several different media, including tutorials, seminars and films.

Lab/practical: Laboratory classes and individual study also form part of the course work.

Field trips: Field work is organised as part of the course.

Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May.  Not all modules will have formal examinations.  Many modules use other types of assessment including essays, assessed practical exercises, field reports, multiple choice questionnaires, assessed presentations, and project work. This variety of assessment provides a broad skills base of relevance to future employment.

Staff at School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UCC