Undergraduate Zoology 2019-2020

This is a marine biological field course to the Millport Field Centre on the Isle of Cumbrae in the Firth of Clyde. The centre, run by the Field Studies Council, is located on an island which is a ten-minute ferry crossing from the mainland terminal at Largs. The island and has a variety of types of shore and depths offshore ranging to over 100 m within a few kilometres of the field centre. The marine biota is correspondingly varied. Being within the enclosed waters of the Firth of Clyde it is comparatively sheltered and safe. The centre provides modern accommodation and classrooms for lectures/seminars and labwork to process field samples. The centre also has a small research vessel, which provides an opportunity for students to experience working at sea in the sheltered waters around the island, and to see oceanographic and navigational instruments and sublittoral sampling devices first hand. There is a long history of marine biological research and teaching at Millport (a marine station was first established in 1885) and students will follow in the footsteps of generations of marine biologists in learning about littoral (shore) and sublittoral marine organisms and the methods used to study them in the field.

Details of the course content may be affected by weather and tides, but it is expected that the course will include profiling and semi-quantitative biological survey of two rocky shores of contrasting degree of wave exposure; profiling, quantitative biological survey and basic granulometric analysis of a sandy shore; sampling and examination of sublittoral benthos from a research vessel with a beam trawl and Day grab; plankton sampling by different methods; and a short group project run over one and half days.

This course builds on foundations of marine biology established at Level 2 to develop an understanding of how marine organisms interact with each other and with the environment, and of how these processes are involved in the ‘functioning’ of marine ecosystems. Ecosystem function relates to the role of biological processes on the fluxes of energy and matter through an ecosystem and how these are reflected in biodiversity and rates of biological production. The course builds towards an introduction to the ‘ecosystem-based approach’ to management, in which an understanding of ecosystem processes inform regulation of human activities in the marine environment.

The students will learn about the basic ecological theory and modelling approaches required to understand population dynamics, and which are great importance for the successful management of animal populations to meet conservation or sustainable exploitation objectives. Students will have the opportunity to apply the theory learned in a series of field- and computer-based practicals. The course will provide the students with valuable analytical skills and an in-depth knowledge and understanding of population dynamics of animals.

This course considers the physiology, development and nutrition of domestic, companion and exhibition animals in relation to animal husbandry and care.

You will apply your knowledge of biology and zoology to the improvement of management practices and to the enhancement of animal welfare.

By exploring how animals adapt to their environments within-life and during evolution, you gain an overview of the integrated nature of physiology, from molecules to whole organism. Learning is rooted in staff’s research interests. You explore diverse aspects of physiological adaptation through individual and group work. In groups, you research animal adaptations to extreme environments- present a scientific poster, developing skills in communication and team work. In an assessed practical you perform quantitative PCR, a keystone life sciences method for gene expression analysis. You develop skills in concise scientific writing through essays developed around reading primary research papers.

The variety of infections and pathologies seems almost limitless, and although some of the commonest infections have been studied intensely, it's fair to say that the biological and environmental processes relating to infections are often poorly-understood. We are also living through a time when some deadly diseases are on the increase – this is for a host of reasons including overuse of antibiotics or misinformation about common therapies such as vaccination. Infectious disease isn’t going away.

The course covers a diverse set of topics from fish diversity, through reproductive strategies and fisheries science to perspectives on sustainable aquaculture and marine environmental issues. Guest speakers from Marine Scotland Science and the Scottish fisherman’s association along with field visits to a freshwater fishery and Peterhead fish market will exemplify applied science in action and give you an appreciation of the industry view of fisheries management. Field work on rocky shores around Aberdeen will give you firsthand experience of fisheries data collection and analysis in the unusual context of a commercial invertebrate fishery.

Site visits, guest lecturers and self-directed study provide a framework for building and synthesizing knowledge in scientific areas of animal welfare.

Student-led activities promote the development of transferable skills such as time management, project planning and reporting.

This course will provide you with in-depth appreciation of four themes in diseases transmitted by invertebrate vectors all delivered by active researchers in this area

Weekly tutorials support the lecture topics in various formats including “for and against” debates, Dragon’s Den pitches and contingency plans for disease invasion

The mixture of a theoretical background, group discussion and examination of modern issues gives you a good grounding in vector-borne disease for future careers in this area while also developing your critical analysis and communication skills

This course will give you the opportunity to explore, for example, why some individuals behave differently from others within the same species, and how insights on behaviours can improve the implementation of conservation plans.

Academics working at the cutting edge of behavioural research will report on the state-of-art in their field.

Directed learnings will encourage further exploration of core topics through discussion of research papers and construction of computer-based models to illustrate concepts.

A continuous assessment where you will produce a grant proposal for research into behavioural ecology will introduce you to the process of research planning.

Students explore science, policy and management issues relevant to the sustainable management of marine resources through individual- and group-based research.

The course uses a problem-based learning approach which increases enthusiasm, promotes deeper learning and improves abilities in team working.

Students enhance critical thinking skills by analysing quantitative data relevant to managing the impacts of human activities on marine resources.

Guest lectures provide opportunities to network with professionals working with marine resources.

Assessment is based on oral presentations, a briefing note and final report, all of which help students to develop communication skills relevant to the workplace.

This course develops your knowledge and skills in analysing field data on changes in the distribution, abundance and survival of animal populations.

Practical work applying quantitative tools used in modern wildlife management will give you analytical and critical analysis skills valued by employers.

Guest speakers present case studies illustrating the application of these tools to current conservation and wildlife management problems.

You debate controversial issues that are informed by scientific evidence.

Each practical contributes a clue to solving an ecological problem and you will assemble these clues to formulate a management plan aimed at a conservation/wildlife management issue.

Lectures by research staff working in aquaculture provide you with specialised knowledge in a range of current issues, including growth, nutrition, health and disease resistance, genetics and environmental interactions.

Preparation for seminars and the essay allow you to direct your own learning and explore methods and current advances in your chosen topic.

Participation in the seminars helps you to develop your communication skills and provides you with feedback on your understanding of the issues.

This course covers human, livestock and wildlife parasitisms. The topics of host-parasite interactions, control of disease in humans and livestock, and impacts in wildlife are approached at the level of cell biology, immunology, epidemiology and health (veterinary and public).

Teaching combines lectures, research seminar style sessions, and student/group led exercises. A critical review essay provides an opportunity for independent study. Coursework is supported by individual and group tutorials.

The production of short technical reports and journalistic pieces offers opportunities to develop group working, presentation and writing skills.

You will take a comparative perspective to develop an understanding of how marine mammals live in the Anthropocene through a series of lectures, practicals and assessments.

Field visits and practical sessions will provide opportunities to develop skills and expertise in identification and comparative anatomy and taxonomy.

Through a student-lead learning approach, you will gain skills in collaborative work and time management and apply your knowledge and understanding of marine mammals to problems related to their ecology and conservation.