Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Zoology (with Foundation Year)

This course is offered as a degree with foundation year -  a four-year programme which provides an additional foundation year at the beginning of the degree, that will give students academic and practical experience, as well as the skills they need to ensure they are equipped to successfully complete their chosen degree.

During the foundation year:

• Students will complete core modules in English and Mathematics, as well as an extended project which will develop your skills in carrying out research, using scholarly sources, drawing comparisons between their own research and that of others and documenting their findings.
  
• Students will study two modules in Life Sciences which will give them the opportunity to explore methods of scientific thinking and reasoning in an enquiry-based way.
• Students will be introduced to key concepts in human physiology that are common cornerstones of the different degree programmes.
• There is also a Disciplinary Investigation module where students will demonstrate the ability to utilise the academic and subject-specific toolkit acquired through previous modules to manage their own learning, and in partnership with their tutors, negotiate, plan and carry out an investigation into the chosen topic.

From the smallest organisms, birds and primates, to biodiversity, aquatic biology, habitat management and the threat of climate change, on the BSc Zoology, students will study a wide range of fascinating animals and how they interact with their environments. 

The course covers the evolution, anatomy, physiology, behaviour and ecology of animals, along with how to care for and conserve them. Students will gain an expert understanding of modern zoology in all its forms, from conservation management to paleoanthropology to molecular biology.   

With a strong emphasis on practical work, students will have plenty of opportunities to work in the field, both locally and overseas, to gain valuable skills for their career. Students will learn core laboratory skills such as titration, pipetting, and how to design and carry out laboratory experiments such as addressing climate change or identifying biological or physiological traits of animals.  

Students will learn to survey the environment, take measurements, collect samples, perform biochemical analysis in practical laboratory work, and interpret their data by creating reports and giving presentations on the results of their findings.  

Students will complete a conservation biology practical on nearby Wimbledon Common, and go to Wales to explore various UK habitats, including river ecosystems, sand dunes, woodlands and rocky shores. This week-long trip will provide students with the perfect experience for work in habitat or conversation management as they gain field-based skills in ecology, animal behaviour and animal physiology.   

An optional and student-funded module, Conservation, People and Wildlife: South African Field Course, involves a two-week adventure to South Africa. Students will learn directly from people living and working in conservation and related fields, and study South Africa’s wildlife including elephants, lions and rhinos. It’s a unique opportunity to get first-hand insight into the reality of conservation in Africa, and gain valuable experience of another culture and country. 

Students will develop an expert understanding of modern Zoology. In the first year, students will explore the diversity of life on the planet, learning about the evolution and biology of vertebrate and invertebrate animals, vertebrate physiology, cell and plant biology and basic biochemistry, and attend lectures, practical lab sessions and field trips. In year two, students will take specialist modules to expand their knowledge, and use the University of Roehampton's state-of-the-art equipment including microscopes, imaging software, flow-through cytometers for counting bacteria and DNA sequencing tools. In the third year, students will choose what to study from a wide list of modules, and complete their research project, tailoring their degree to their interests and aspirations.  

This course offers all students the option of a one-year paid work placement, to boost their employability even further. If students choose this route, they will take the placement following year two of their course, and then return to complete their degree.