Zoology

Zoology is the biological science dedicated to the study of animals: their physiology, anatomy, behaviour, ecology, evolution, conservation and biodiversity. It is one of the most diverse and fascinating branches of biology, encompassing everything from the biochemistry of muscle contraction to the population dynamics of endangered species, and from the biomechanics of flight to the social organisation of primates. Zoology matters not only as pure science but because understanding animal life is essential to conservation biology, agriculture, medicine, environmental management and our understanding of evolution and the history of life on Earth.

At the University of Sheffield, this three-year full-time degree allows you to study animals and biodiversity at every scale, from molecular and cellular biology to whole organisms, populations and ecosystems. You will learn how animals function physiologically and behaviourally, how to investigate and conserve biodiversity, and how evolutionary processes have produced the extraordinary diversity of animal life. Laboratory work and fieldwork are central to the degree, giving you practical skills in experimental design, data collection and analysis alongside your theoretical knowledge.

A sandwich year placement, a year abroad, and a work placement are all available, giving you significant opportunities to develop your scientific skills and experience in different ecological and institutional contexts.

Sheffieldas strong research profile in animal biology and ecology means you will learn alongside active researchers working on questions that matter to conservation, ecology and evolutionary biology.

Graduates from zoology degrees move into conservation biology, wildlife management, ecology, environmental consultancy, zoo and aquarium work, veterinary science (with further study), research and academia, science communication, education, and government environmental agencies. Postgraduate study in zoology, ecology, conservation biology or evolutionary biology is a natural pathway for those who want to pursue research careers.