Ruth Martin | Programme Manager BSc (Hons) Applied Zoology
Joining Instructions
Modules
The course consists of two mandatory modules (worth 60 credits) and three optional modules (making up the other 60 credits).
Mandatory modules:
Applications of Zoology (CORN3006 | 20 Credits)
This module enables students to study and develop ideas related to their own selected zoological themes relevant to the workplace or research situation. The student will explore these themes through the literature, seminars and tutorials, developing his/her own research skills. Honours Project (CORN328 | 40 Credits)
This module allows students to explore in detail an academic subject of their choice. The module comprises a substantial research study element, which includes a literature review, experimental design, the collection, analysis and interpretation of data and report writing.
Optional modules: (students select THREE of the following subject to availability)
Zoology and Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (CORN304 | 20 Credits)
This module focuses on recent advances in the biology, ecology and conservation of animal life within freshwater and marine environments, and addresses how conservation measures can ensure marine life and the marine environment can be utilised in a sustainable way. Communicating Zoology (CORN305 | 20 Credits)
In this module, you will explore how zoological science is effectively and appropriately communicated to a range of audiences and extend your skills in using a variety of media and evaluating their effectiveness in the delivery of coherent messages. Current Issues in Animal Behaviour (CORN3007 | 20 Credits)
This module is designed to provide an understanding of why some issues are currently the subject of research in animal behaviour, both in the context of a critical understanding of the adaptive value of behaviour and its applications in zoology. You will also develop skills in observing and recording animal behaviour. Wildlife Conservation (CORN313 | 20 Credits)
This module allows students to examine the application of science to the practice of wildlife management and the impact of environmental law and policy on the biological outcomes for threatened species and ecosystems. The module has a strong emphasis on field-based experience. Impacts of Disease (CORN327 | 20 Credits)
This module provides a detailed knowledge of the factors involved in the aetiology, epidemiology and development of common diseases seen in companion and exotic animals. Appraise disease control and prevention strategies in captive and wild animal populations. If you are completing the course part-time over two years, you will complete your optional modules in year one and then the mandatory modules in year two.
Kit and Resources
Essential Items:
Laptop – having access to your own computer and internet has always been highly essential for your studies, so we are suggesting all students have access to their own laptop/PC and internet. Please be aware that Chromebooks and tablets, whilst useful for some elements of your work, are not suitable for installing and running some software; therefore, a Windows or macOS laptop is recommended.
Headset with Microphone for Laptop - compatible with your laptop for online learning as well as in-class use and recording audio content.
Software - as soon as you enrol, you will have an account with Office 365 and you will be able to use online versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint and also download these apps to your device for free, as well as having online storage space on OneDrive. We ask that you install QGIS (free software for spatial data), which is available for PCS and Macs and can be downloaded using the link below. (We can go through this during induction week if you have any problems)
USB Pen Drive (at least 16GB) – although you will have cloud storage with OneDrive, you will need this to transport files and keep backup copies of important files.
Waterproofs - coat and trousers for fieldwork.
Good Walking Boots - you will be very grateful to yourself if you invest in a good quality, waterproof pair.
Wellies – some field sites we visit get very wet, and you will be advised to wear wellies. No need for your walking boots to be completely waterproof if you have a good pair of wellies to wear for wet-weather work.
Desirable:
Old clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty for zoo/field-based work.
Binoculars, you may be doing a number of animal
observations within the course (depending on optional modules selected) ranging
from seals to birds, so investing in your own binoculars is a good idea.
Ideally the 8 x 30 up to 8 x 40 which is magnification by depth of field are
good for the type of observation you will be doing (Bushnell are a reasonable
make).
Extra Expenses:
You will be involved in a variety of fieldtrips throughout the year, most of which will be free, but occasionally we may ask for a contribution for travel costs or entrance fees. You should budget for approximately £50 throughout the year for these purposes.
There may be residential field courses that you may wish to join, which are not compulsory (subject to availability), for example, to Borneo, Honduras or South Africa. The prices of these trips will vary, but recent trips have been in the region of £3,000 for approximately 2 weeks (inclusive of flights). These trips are purely optional, and there is no expectation or requirement to join them. More information on the international trips will be made available during induction week and group tutorials. There are also local trips offered to students that may require a small deposit.
This link will take you to the download page for QGIS if you want to download in preparation for your course. Choose the right download package for your laptop (Microsoft or Mac).
Reading List
At Higher
Education (HE) Level 6, the expectation is that you will mostly use primary,
peer-reviewed literature (scientific journals) to inform your work. You will
have free access to a vast electronic library through your University of
Plymouth digital account. So, there is no major requirement to invest in
expensive textbooks for the BSc Applied Zoology course.
However, one
textbook that can be useful as a supporting text for the Honours Project module
is:
Beckerman A. P.,
Childs D. Z. and Petchey O. L. (2017). Getting Started with R: An
Introduction for Biologists. 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.(Notes: ISBN-10: 0199601623 | £22.99)
We hold several copies of this textbook in the learning centre, but some students find it useful to have access to their own personal copy.
We also teach
statistical analysis using the R-studio package for which there are a number of
good supporting books, two of which are shown below. However, there are also
many free resources online for learning R, so you may want to wait until
starting the course before making a decision as to whether or not to invest in
a book.
Useful Books
Barnard, C.,
Gilbert, F. and McGregor, P. (2016) Asking Questions in Biology: A Guide to Hypothesis Testing, Experimental
Design and Presentation in Practical Work and Research Projects. (Notes: ISBN-13: 978-1292085999 | £36.77)
Gardener, M.
(2017). Statistics for Ecologists using R and Excel. 2nd edn. Totnes: Pelagic Publishing. (Notes: ISBN 9781784271398 | £27.41)
The prices
quoted are prices available online as of 02/07/25 but it is worth checking for
second hand copies online which can be significantly cheaper. You may also
find 2nd hand books being sold by previous students on the Students at Cornwall College Newquay
Facebook page, please see the link below.