Undergraduate

What is Zoology?

Zoology is the scientific study of the animal kingdom, along with its evolution, diversity and environment. This involves building knowledge of both the structure of different kinds of animals and how they function, and the complex relationships that govern how animals relate to each other and their surroundings. Zoology provides fundamental information on three areas of our society: the environment, food production and human health. What will you study?

The course highlights the major concerns of modern zoology in relation to environmental and medical biology, and introduces you to cell biological and other analytical techniques, fieldwork and computer-aided data handling procedures, encompassing:

Ecology

Physiology

Animal behaviour

Biodiversity

Developmental biology

Vertebrate form & function

Parasitology

Applied molecular biology

A major component of the Senior Sophister (fourth) year is the research project. In previous years projects have included parasites in African children, conservation of squirrels, deep sea fisheries and others on biodiversity, climate change and pollution. Tutorials in specialist areas are selected from freshwater biology, marine biology, wildlife biology, evolution and behaviour, molecular biology, developmental biology and parasitology.

A related degree course Functional Biology is also being offered. For information on this course CLICK HERE.

Career opportunities

Many graduates are pursuing academic and research careers, in Ireland and overseas. Others have entered the agricultural and fisheries sectors, the wildlife service, and aid agencies, as advisers and technical experts and as inspectors and managers. Trinity zoology graduates have furthermore taken up publishing of wildlife magazines and educational literature, film making and careers in the media, fish farming, computer software development, second and third level teaching, museum work, tourism, environmental lobbying with organisations such as Greenpeace, environmental consultancy and wildlife conservation and management.