BSc Zoology - Reading - Berkshire - University of Reading, Graduate School for the Social Sciences - I25054

You will acquire the wide range of scientific and technical skills needed to become a field or laboratory-based career zoologist. Staff specialise in topics such as animal conservation, genetics of insecticide resistance, evolutionary ecology, taxonomy and the behavioural and population ecology of aquatic invertebrates.

There are different entry qualifications for each programme. Some programmes require you to have a certain amount of knowledge in a subject before you begin the degree programme – this is called a ‘subject requirement’. Other programmes do not have any specific subject requirements. All programmes will, however, expect you to have reached a certain standard in your education and will ask you to achieve certain grades in your examinations. Most programmes have a standard offer so that you know in advance what you are likely to need. Please note that even if you have the minimum entry qualifications, you are not necessarily guaranteed a place on the degree programme.

BSc Zoology

This BSc in Zoology involves the following modules.

Year 1

-Introductory Microbiology
-Humans and the Changing World
-Exploiters and Exploited
-Mammals:Diversity, Behaviour and Conservation
-Ecology: Species and their Interactions
-The Living Cell
-Genes and Chromosomes

-Countryside and the Environment
-Plant Diversity, Structure and Utilisation
-Human Physiology

Year 2

-Evolution and Development
-Molecular Biology of Gene Expression
-Statistics for Life Sciences
-Practical Skills: Field Course
-Science Communication
-Animal Behaviour
-Invertebrate Zoology
-Vertebrate Zoology

-Applied Ecology
-Habitat Management
-Immunology
-Protection
-History and Philosophy of Science
-As well as laboratory-based work, there are field courses to sites in the UK and elsewhere.

Final Year

-Research Project
-Advanced Experimental Design and Interpretation
-Conservation Biology
-Behavioural Ecology & Life History Evolution
-Animal Diversity
-Marine Biology Field Course


-Animal Welfare
-Applied and Environmental Microbiology
-Dogs and Cats
-Mammalian Reproduction
-Wildlife in the Farming Environment