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Zoology  (ZOC2)

BSc (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2024/2025
School
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
8
Award
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Assoc Professor Tara McMorrow
Overall Programme Credits:
240
Programme Credits:
N/A
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 2: 0

Curricular information is subject to change.

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.

Students’ performance will be reviewed at the end of the academic year. Students who fail 50% or more of their registered modules, and who fail to progress to the next stage of their programme, will be identified under the UCD Continuation – Academic progress policy. Students’ performance will continue to be reviewed in subsequent trimesters and students will be invited to meetings with the College of Science office for support and guidance.

Where the rate of progression and performance over two academic years is deemed unacceptable, a case will be submitted to the Governing Board for review. A recommendation for discontinuation may be the outcome of this review.

As Stages 3 and 4 have the most dynamic components of the programme, and the material studied previously may no longer be relevant, a student who has been away from the programme for a significant period should be required to register again to Stage 3. The upper limit for completion of Stages 3 and 4 should be six years if they choose to do 120 credits with 20 in each year.

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.

Associate Professor Jens Carlsson
UCD School of Biology and
Environmental Science
askscience@ucd.ie


Stage 2

Students complete 50 credits from programme modules (core/options). Additional modules can be selected from within the BSc programme to complete 60 credits or alternatively, students can select 10 credits from elective modules.

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