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Zoology

BSc (NFQ Level 8)
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This course is available through the following application route(s)

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Zoology is often thought of in terms of treks into the wild to study rare and endangered species. However, this is only one facet of this fascinating subject. Modern zoology deals with all aspects of animals, from genetics and cell biology to ecology and animal behaviour. Zoology at UCD provides modules in a wide range of disciplines, including marine, terrestrial and freshwater biology, evolutionary biology, animal behaviour, palaeontology, ecology, pest control, population genetics, developmental biology, and animal physiology and cell biology.

About This Course

Zoology is often thought of in terms of treks into the wild to study rare and endangered species. However, this is only one facet of this fascinating subject. Modern zoology deals with all aspects of animals, from genetics and cell biology to ecology and animal behaviour. Zoology at UCD provides modules in a wide range of disciplines, including marine, terrestrial and freshwater biology, evolutionary biology, animal behaviour, palaeontology, ecology, pest control, population genetics, developmental biology, and animal physiology and cell biology.

Information on all our courses including pathways, internships and careers information is available in the UCD Science Undergraduate Courses Entry 2025 Brochure (PDF).

Zoology is one of the degree subjects available through the Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences stream in the common entry Science course. Students study similar modules for all degree subjects in the Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences stream in first year and will study modules for a minimum of two degree subjects in second year. At the end of second year, students choose their degree subject. As we offer a number of degree subjects in each stream, students have a number of similar degree subjects to choose from and if a degree subject is oversubscribed, places are allocated on a competitive basis. For more information on choosing a degree subject at the end of Second Year, visit the Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences stream page.

This is a sample set of modules that a Zoology student could study each year in UCD.

First Year
Scientific Enquiry • Cell Biology & Genetics • Basis of Organic and Biological Chemistry • Biomedical Sciences • Biology in Action • Life on Earth • Linear Algebra for Science • Calculus for Science • Optional Science Modules • Elective Module

Second Year
Biomolecular Lab Skills • Scientific Communication • Principles of Zoology • Principles of Environmental Biology & Ecology • Chemistry for Biologists • + modules for 2 other Science Subjects • Elective Modules

Third Year
Systems Ecology • Evolutionary Biology • Diversity of Invertebrates • Working with Biological Data • Functional Morphology • Arthropoda • Diversity of Vertebrates • Optional Modules • Elective Modules

Fourth Year
Research Project • Bioassessment of Freshwaters • Biological Invasions • Conservation of Biodiversity • Epithelial Transport • Marine Community Ecology • Molecular Phylogenetics • Ornithology • Tropical Field Ecology • Optional Modules

Timetables & Assessment
Each student will have their own timetable based on their individual module selection. This is a full-time course and classes may include lectures, practicals and tutorials, depending on the subjects. Students will also be expected to study independently (autonomous student learning). Assessment varies with each module but may comprise continuous assessment of practicals, written exams and online learning activities.

Due to the nature and breadth of the subject, Zoology graduates are employed in most of the industries and state organisations that employ biologists. These include the National Parks and Wildlife Services, National Museum, Marine Institute, semi-state bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, ESB, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Inland Fisheries Ireland, conservation bodies, aquaculture, universities, secondary schools, environmental consultancies, and several areas of biotechnology.

Graduate opportunities are also available for students to pursue MSc or PhD programmes. Taught MSc programmes that can be pursued by Zoology graduates at UCD include Applied Environmental Science, Environmental Sustainability (Online) and Global Change: Ecosystem Science and Policy.

Students have the opportunity to complete a Professional Placement module worth 5 credits. This module provides students with an opportunity to undertake a placement in industry (6-10 weeks) in the summer following Third Year. Students in recent years have completed internships in Dublin Zoo, Emerald Park, and Seal Rescue Ireland.

Students can also apply to complete research bursaries in UCD Research labs.

Placements are secured on a competitive basis and are subject to change each year.



More information about the internship module and application process.


UCD Science Office

You can contact the UCD Science Office in the following ways:




  • Submit your query using our dedicated Contact Form.

  • Drop into the office in the UCD O'Brien Centre for Science, Science East, Room E1.09. Our office opening hours are 10am to 4pm (during term time).


Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 2 Core Modules
 BMOL20060 Biomolecular Lab Skills 1 Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 BIOL20060 Scientific Communication Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 ZOOL20030 Principles of Zoology Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
CHEM20090 is a CORE MODULE for students who wish to progress with any subject in the BBB stream. Students registered to, or who have taken, both CHEM20080 and CHEM20100, are not required to take CHEM20090. Students who are unable to register to CHEM20090 should contact the Science Office.
CHEM20090 Chemistry for Biology Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who wish to to take Zoology in Stage 3 should take ENVB20050 in Stage 2. ENVB20050 is a pre-requisite for a Stage 3 core Zoology module (ENVB30010).
 ENVB20050 Principles of Environmental Biology & Ecology Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 ENVB30010 Systems Ecology Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 ZOOL30030 Evolutionary Biology Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 ZOOL30050 Diversity of Invertebrates Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 BIOL30030 Working with Biological Data Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 ZOOL30010 Functional Morphology Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 ZOOL30020 Arthropoda Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 ZOOL30040 Diversity of Vertebrates Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Students must select at least three modules from the list below. ENVB20050 must be taken in Stage 3 if not taken by students in Stage 2
 BIOL30040 Scientific Writing for Biology Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Students must select at least three modules from the list below. ENVB20050 must be taken in Stage 3 if not taken by students in Stage 2
 CELB20060 Principles of Cell & Molecular Biology Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Students must select at least three modules from the list below. ENVB20050 must be taken in Stage 3 if not taken by students in Stage 2
 ENVB30020 Wildlife Conservation and Fisheries Management Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Students must select at least three modules from the list below. ENVB20050 must be taken in Stage 3 if not taken by students in Stage 2
 ENVB30140 Analysis of Environmental Materials Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Students must select at least three modules from the list below. ENVB20050 must be taken in Stage 3 if not taken by students in Stage 2
 ZOOL20020 Animal Behaviour Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Students must select at least three modules from the list below. ENVB20050 must be taken in Stage 3 if not taken by students in Stage 2
 CELB30100 Developmental Biology Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Students must select at least three modules from the list below. ENVB20050 must be taken in Stage 3 if not taken by students in Stage 2
 ENVB20050 Principles of Environmental Biology & Ecology Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Students must select at least three modules from the list below. ENVB20050 must be taken in Stage 3 if not taken by students in Stage 2
 GENE20020 Principles of Genetics Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 3 of:
Students must select at least three modules from the list below. ENVB20050 must be taken in Stage 3 if not taken by students in Stage 2
 ZOOL30060 Biogeography and Field Biology Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A)1 of:
Students select either the Research Project (BIOL40360) or the Critical Literature Review (BIOL40870). For students selecting BIOL40360, this 20 credit project module is spread over two trimesters, but about 10 credits worth of work is expected to be done in Autumn. For students selecting BIOL40870, this 15 credit critical literature review is spread over two trimesters, but about 10 credits worth of work is expected to be done in Autumn. Students should bear this in mind when selecting option modules and balance their workload across trimesters
 BIOL40360 Research Project 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  20
Stage 4 Options - A)1 of:
Students select either the Research Project (BIOL40360) or the Critical Literature Review (BIOL40870). For students selecting BIOL40360, this 20 credit project module is spread over two trimesters, but about 10 credits worth of work is expected to be done in Autumn. For students selecting BIOL40870, this 15 credit critical literature review is spread over two trimesters, but about 10 credits worth of work is expected to be done in Autumn. Students should bear this in mind when selecting option modules and balance their workload across trimesters
 BIOL40870 Critical Literature Review 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  15
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who select BIOL40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
 ENVB40040 Environmental Impact Assessment Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who select BIOL40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
 ENVB40490 Tropical Field Ecology Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who select BIOL40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
 ENVB40540 Introduction to Ecological Mapping with open source software (QGIS) Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who select BIOL40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
 SCI30080 Professional Placement-Science Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who select BIOL40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
 ZOOL40040 Molecular Phylogenetics - Powers and Pitfalls Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who select BIOL40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
 ZOOL40300 Epithelial Transport in Animal Physiology Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who select BIOL40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
 ZOOL40500 Ornithology Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who select BIOL40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
 ZOOL40510 Conservation of Biodiversity: Theory and Practice Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who select BIOL40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
 BIOL40850 Big Questions in Biology Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who select BIOL40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
 CELB40180 Cell Biology & Genetics of Ageing Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who select BIOL40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
 ENVB40020 Marine Community Ecology Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who select BIOL40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
 ENVB40290 Ecological Modelling Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who select BIOL40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
 GENE40080 Population Genetics Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who select BIOL40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
 GENE40090 Epigenetics Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who select BIOL40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
 ZOOL40280 Biological Invasions Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Students who select BIOL40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
 ZOOL40490 Wildlife Habitat Modelling for Ecology and Conservation Spring  5

I chose Zoology as the lecturers were so helpful and engaging, and there were plenty of opportunities to get hands-on experience at home and abroad. One of the trips abroad was to Costa Rica as part of an optional fourth year module, Tropical Field Ecology. We spent 2 weeks learning about the local biodiversity as well as various methods of data collection such as electrofishing, radio telemetry, lizard fishing, butterfly and bee trapping, and bat/bird surveys. After graduation, I would love to continue in research for a few years, and eventually settle into education.

Katie Connolly, Graduate

In UCD Science you really have the freedom to shape your degree the way you’d like it. I chose Zoology as the lecturers were so helpful and engaging, and there were plenty of opportunities to get hands-on experience at home and abroad. One of the trips abroad was to Costa Rica as part of an optional fourth year module, Tropical Field Ecology. We spent 2 weeks learning about the local biodiversity as well as various methods of data collection such as electrofishing, radio telemetry, lizard fishing, butterfly and bee trapping, and bat/bird surveys. After graduation, I would love to continue in research for a few years, and eventually settle into education.
Katie Connolly, Student

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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Zoology:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceInt BLS1
Science: Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates		 Closed
showAudience-audienceInt SCU1
Science
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates		 Closed
showAudience-audienceInt BLS1
Science: Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates		 Apply
showAudience-audienceInt SCU1
Science
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates		 Apply
showAudience-audienceEU DN200
Science: Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Application through CAO Apply via CAO
showAudience-audienceEU DN200
Science
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Application through CAO Apply via CAO
* you can change options at the top of the page

Additional special entry route(s) to Zoology:

These options have additional eligibility requirements to cater for specific applicant cohorts. You should not apply via these routes before consulting the requirements or contacting the responsible UCD office.

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt SCU1
Science
Bachelor of Science		 Full-Time

Commencing September 2025		 Access Progression Pathway
Access Progression Pathway
Application to this Non-EU Access Progression Pathway is by invitation only. If you are not currently enrolled on an Access programme at UCD, your application will be marked as invalid.
If you are not a current Access student, but you are a non-EU applicant seeking admission to an undergraduate degree, please submit an application via the "Undergraduate Degree (Non-EU)" course type.		 Apply
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