Zoo Biology (Top-up)

What makes UCS special? As a UCS student you will benefit from lecturers with a wealth of industry experience that comes from working with BIAZA and EAZA research committees/ working groups and a wide range of zoos. UCS is also supporting member of the ABTC and staff are members of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians. Our teaching staff have experience and expertise in all areas of animal work including veterinary nursing, health and welfare, research, zoo industry and husbandry and animal behaviour and training.

UCS has an unrivalled collection of animals and species in its purpose-built Animal Health and Welfare Research Centre and was one of the first colleges in the country to be awarded a zoo licence and is part of The National Zoo Academy. The centre offers a wide variety of habitat styles and management systems to maximise the student learning potential and experience.

What will I learn? Building on a strong science foundation, the course will take your knowledge of zoo management to the next level within an industry-standard environment. You will develop research techniques in aspects of zoo animal welfare, behaviour and population management, as well as considering the wider roles of the modern zoo such as visitor learning.

The course promotes the idea of evidence based husbandry as a fundamental feature of contemporary zoo biology and combines practical research skills, husbandry techniques and vital management skills. There is also a strong data analysis theme to prepare you for and support you in your dissertation research.

How will I be assessed? Assessment is primarily coursework based, comprising practical portfolios, case studies, seminars, reports and essays. This is supplemented in some modules by an exam.

Where can I go from here? You can progress to the MSc in Applied Zoo Biology at University Centre Sparsholt; alternatively there are many MSc and PhD programmes available at other universities. Sparsholt graduates now work in a variety of roles in the zoo and conservation sectors, while others have continued in education to postgraduate level.