Zoology (with Placement year)

Anglia Ruskin University

Animal health and disease are broad and fascinating topics. We will focus on the contribution of nutrition and parasites to health and disease, discussing how animals interact with food from a biochemical point of view, how changes in nutrition can affect health, and how animals deal with parasites. Nutrition is a crucial factor in animal health - after all, you are what you eat. Therefore, what should we feed animals in our care? We will also discuss how different parasites affect animal health, the effects these parasites have on the health of their human caretakers, and how diseases can spread through a population and between species.

These skills will be key to your final year where you will develop your own research project. You will be introduced to the knowledge and skills needed to ask critical biological questions and plan a project to discover the answers in a scientifically valid, ethical and safe way, through lectures. You will then consolidate your knowledge and practice what you have learnt during hands-on workshops. The quantitative, communication, critical thinking and IT skills that you'll gain from this module are applicable to a wide range of graduate employment opportunities.

Having gained extensive background knowledge, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills in the various components of field biology and put them into practice in a week-long residential field course. You will acquire the research techniques necessary to conduct fieldwork in temperate habitats, starting with the use of taxonomic keys to identify UK fauna and flora, a key skill for those wanting to work with conservation programmes and ecological consultancies. You will complete a set of exercises during the first part of the field course, where you will receive training in field techniques within marine, terrestrial and behavioural ecology.

Modern technological developments that enable us to study the natural world include Geographical Information Systems (GIS), an invaluable tool which allows us to monitor a variety of aspects in nature, including species distribution. You will learn valuable practical skills in the use of GIS within biological sciences, includes the concepts of the system and the training on how to use the tools. You will learn how to use the software and the various techniques during practical sessions and will also apply your knowledge to relevant case studies. During your practical sessions, you will explore a variety of online spatial data resources relevant to the study of terrestrial and marine organisms in the context of ecological and behavioural studies and wildlife conservation, at both local and global scales.

Invertebrates account for over 99 % of all animal species. It is estimated that the total number of animal species on Earth may exceed 30 million although only around 1 million have been named. In this module we introduce the diverse world of invertebrates focussing on aspects of their classification, structure and function, ecology and behaviour.

There are approximately 6,400 known species of living (extant) mammals on the planet. They range in size from tiny shrews to the blue whale - the largest animal that?s ever lived. Mammals are found right across the planet, from orcas and leopard seals in the Arctic Ocean to Bactrian camels in the Gobi Desert; from semi-aquatic desmans in mountain streams to moles burrowing beneath our meadows. You will learn about the biology of the mammals and consider mammalian taxonomy, morphology, physiology, ecology, distribution, evolution, and behaviour. A key theme of the study of mammalogy is the analysis of underlying similarities and differences between mammalian taxa (also known as comparative zoology), based on an understanding of mammalian evolution and adaptive radiation.

At Anglia Ruskin University we strive to ensure that you receive an outstanding academic education and student experience - and understand that, whilst embedding employability skills within the credit-bearing curriculum is important, it is only part of the set of achievements needed to obtain employment. This zero-credit module will be used to track and verify the progress you've made with respect to key employability skills and endeavours. You'll work closely with your personal tutor, Students' Union Volunteering Service, Study Skills Plus, and Faculty Employability Advisor to engage with co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities and activities to enhance your personal attributes.

Genetics unifies the biological sciences. Through an integration of concepts at the population, organismal, cellular and DNA levels, you will develop an understanding of the core principles of genetics and their applications and an understanding of the relationship between genetic variation and evolution. You will study the structure and nature of genes and genomes and then consider the rules of inheritance from an individual basis and how do they translate into the organisation of the gene-pool of a population and species. You will also be introduced to some of the genetic techniques used to answer behavioural, ecological and evolutionary questions. Your understanding of genetic processes will be developed through a variety of problems, case studies and laboratory sessions.

Ruskin Modules are designed to prepare our students for a complex, challenging and changing future. These interdisciplinary modules provide the opportunity to further broaden your perspectives, develop your intellectual flexibility and creativity. You will work with others from different disciplines to enable you to reflect critically on the limitations of a single discipline to solve wider societal concerns. You will be supported to create meaningful connections across disciplines to apply new knowledge to tackle complex problems and key challenges. Ruskin Modules are designed to grow your confidence, seek and maximise opportunities to realise your potential to give you a distinctive edge and enhance your success in the workplace.

Vertebrates account for less than 1% of known species of animal life. Yet vertebrates (including humans) are some of the most successful and widely adapted animals on Earth. Vertebrates inhabit almost all corners of our planet, except the deepest parts of the oceans, close to the poles and on top of the highest mountain peaks. Vertebrate species may be terrestrial, arboreal or marine; they burrow, swim, run, climb, fly or glide. They include the so called "charismatic megafauna" such as tigers, eagles, elephants and pandas, as well as top predators such as sharks and crocodiles. You will study how these animals came to occupy their current dominant position among animal life on Earth.

The module is designed to give you an opportunity to analyse and evaluate industrial organisational structures, industrial roles and functions and industrial self-awareness. It covers human relationships, team relationships, problem evaluations, solutions and analysis and an evaluation of an industry/business sector. The aim of the module is to allow you to use the academic skills developed during your first two years of university study to support learning during your work placement. The module aims to give you experience of work in an industry and/or business environment including familiarisation with a professional work environment. The module will be underpinned by employability skills training, reflective assessment and support from academic tutors. You'll be expected to reflect on your experience orally and in writing, and demonstrate how you have applied theory and learning to date in a work-based environment. The assessment aims to support and develop your ability to demonstrate your professionalism, leadership and managerial skills to a prospective employer while also learning key communication and personal skills.

Animals communicate in many ways, from scent to touch, using visual displays, and sounds. These signals can be physical or biological in terms of how they are produced or received. We will explore the cognitive underpinnings of animal communication, and examine the processes animals use to convey information to others. We will see how the receivers can factor this into their decision making and subsequent behaviour.

From pest control to captive breeding and the management of wild populations, you will apply your theoretical knowledge regarding the science of animal behaviour and show how behavioural theory and research can be applied to a wide range of practical problems. You will apply your learning of behavioural research to both vertebrate and invertebrate husbandry. You will discuss the historical, philosophical and development of the science of animal welfare, including the variety of ethical approaches to the use of animals by humans for varying purposes. There are a number of methods on how to assess animal welfare through behavioural and physiological indicators, and we will address these controversies and review specialist techniques. You will be taught by lectures and active learning sessions, with guest lectures from industry-relevant professionals (e.g. RSPCA, laboratory animal welfare organisations, companion animal specialists). The knowledge gained here will help to prepare you for careers in both animal-focussed industries, and postgraduate scientific research. You will build your understanding of the application of the scientific study of animal behaviour and its relationship with other measures, particularly with respect to the evaluation of welfare, in a range of animal management scenarios. In addition, you will learn many relevant transferable skills such as critical thinking, IT, word processing, self-management and organisation skills.

Biogeography explores the distribution of living things in both space and time, and how they have been affected by global change. This 'synthetic' science contains elements of climatology, geology, geography and computer applications, but is firmly rooted in biology. Many 19th-century naturalists, including Darwin, wrote the fundamental theories on large scale distribution patterns within the natural world. We will use computer technologies to verify and model these theories. You will use a group of animals, plants or microbes that is of interest to you, as a model to show your understanding of ?biogeography? through computer analyses of distribution and physical and molecular characteristics appropriate to your group. You will combine your analyses with maps of modern and ancient Earth to develop an integrated, evolutionary history of your chosen group.

The ecophysiology and cell biology of an organism are interlinked allowing for specialisms, niche separation, success in extreme habitats, fecundity and survival. In this module you will, through a study of cell biology, development and comparative physiology, be able to address these questions. We will look at how our current understanding of developmental biology has depended on work done on a small number of model organisms, including the nematode worm, fruit fly, frog, mouse chick and zebrafish. We will look at the cutting edge techniques of cell and molecular biology which are used to understand the complexities of cell behaviour. We will then critically analyse the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underpin animal adaptations to environmental conditions, in vertebrate and invertebrate organisms, both marine and terrestrial. These are central mechanisms which underpin animal diversity and adaptation. You will be equipped with an understanding of the toolkit available for the study of multicellular organisms, which are applicable to a wide range of fields both in the lab and the field.

Population ecology is the study of the factors that affect a population, and how and why a population changes. Knowing how populations will respond to interventions is vital to wildlife management. You will explore the first principles of population ecology and the quantitative methods used, prior to seeing how these theories are applied practically in wildlife management. We will study the demography and dynamics of wildlife populations and you will be guided in how to use the mathematical tools and models to understand population change. Population ecology can also be explored in the wider context of current developments in population genetics, evolutionary biology and animal behaviour.

Practical Marine Biology is comprised of a series of lectures and practical workshops in preparation for a residential field course at a UK marine biology field station. On the field course you will learn advanced skills relevant to marine science including species identification, interpretation of oceanographic data and experimental design. The fieldwork will focus on four aspects of British coastal and inshore marine biology: surveying and collecting samples from varied shore environments. You will go on to use these samples to explain the distribution of fauna and flora in terms of ecological gradients and biological pressures. Collecting samples from offshore environments via a research vessel. These samples may include plankton, mid-water and/or benthic trawls, grab samples, electronic (GPS, sonar, sounding, photographic etc) data. Creating a detailed diagnostic guide to a shoreline or offshore collected material.

The way in which we manage our land has profound implications for biodiversity and ecosystem function. If you are interested in halting the degradation of our ecosystems and building a sustainable future, then this module is for you. Following on from your earlier learning, you will develop the practical and theoretical skills needed to evaluate the ecological impacts of land management practices.

The tropical regions of our world have always held a fascination for biologists due the amazing and varied biodiversity that can be found there. You will be able to experience some of this firsthand on the tropical ecology field course, which forms the core of this module. You will also have a series of classroom-based learning sessions with a mixture of lectures and interactive learning. On the field course you will work in groups to undertake fieldwork on a range of aspects of tropical ecology and you will visit one or more locations to observe, record and interpret various aspects of tropical fauna, flora and habitats.

You will create in a substantial piece of individual research and/or product development work, focused on a topic of your choice. You could choose your topic from a variety of sources including research groups, previous/current work experience, your current employer, a suggestion from your tutor or a topic you are specifically interested in. You will identify problems and issues, conduct literature reviews, evaluate information, investigate and adopt suitable development methodologies, determine solutions, develop hardware, software and/or media artifacts as appropriate, process data, critically appraise and present your finding using a variety of media. Regular meetings with your project supervisor will ensure your project is closely monitored and steered in the right direction.

Conservation science applies scientific methods to the challenges of maintaining and restoring global biodiversity and ecosystem services. We shall critically evaluate current research underlying conservation biology and explore the multi-dimensional issues faced by professional wildlife biologists. You will examine real-life conservation problems, including their important socio-political dimensions and the ways in which conservationists set out to find solutions to these issues. You will evaluate the principle that protecting biodiversity is not only about protecting species, but also about protecting functioning ecosystems, habitats, evolutionary and ecological processes, and genetic diversity. Conservation genetics is an increasingly important area within this discipline - and you will discuss the application of new genetic technologies in conservation, including the management of captive breeding of endangered species.

Zoos and Zoo Animal Management addresses the question "What are zoos for?" You will discuss the current and historical role of zoos including their purpose as recreation, education, conservation and research centres. The module has at its core a field course to major European zoos, designed to introduce you to zoos, the animals they keep, how they are exhibited, and the reasons for keeping them. On your return to the UK, the module is taught through a series of team-based learning sessions. Through these sessions and your experience of the zoos on the field course, you will consider the history and philosophy of wild animal collections and the various roles played by zoos in modern society.