MZool Zoology with Animal Behaviour (with Placement)

The Master in Zoology (Animal Behaviour) is an extended undergraduate programme which allows students to graduate either with BSc (Hons) at the end of the fourth year or with a Master at the end of the fifth year. If at the end of Year 3 a sufficient standard is achieved, then progression onto the Masters year will be permitted following completion of Year 4. Zoology is the branch of biology that studies animals. It covers a broad range of topics including behaviour, morphology, physiology, development, ecology, evolution and taxonomy. Within Zoology the desire to understand the behaviour of animals has led to the development of a separate branch of Zoology (ethology) which focuses on animal behaviour. On this course you will study traditional zoology but with an emphasis on animal behaviour in which you will discover how animals interact with one another and their environments, specifically looking at the mechanisms, functions, development and evolution of behaviour. Our aim is to provide you with sound zoological training and equip you with skills necessary for a career in the field of zoology and animal behaviour. The provision of a diversity of laboratory and field zoology experience, both home and abroad, is an important component of the course, as is the acquisition of transferable skills (data analysis, group work, presentational and writing skills, IT skills). Our excellent teaching facilities include a Zoology Museum which boasts an exceptionally comprehensive collection of invertebrate and vertebrate material, and a botanical garden close to the Menai Strait with a number of habitats that can be used for a range of behavioural studies. We are also part of the Environment Centre Wales which is a partnership venture between Bangor University and the Natural Environment Research Council’s Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH).The placement year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with an organization relevant to your degree subject. Previous and current students have worked with a wide variety of placement providers, ranging from private companies to educational organizations, charities, government authorities and non-governmental organizations. Our students who have undertaken a placement year have highlighted how the experience has helped them to develop invaluable networks, confidence and life experience as well as subject knowledge and skills that have boosted their employability.