BSc (Hons) Zoology with Foundation Year

This module provides you with an overview of key concepts in cell biology and physiology, including the chemical basis of the biosciences. Throughout the module you will gain an understanding of the basic concepts of cell biology and chemistry for the natural sciences, as well as the basic concepts of physiology and homeostasis, with reference to specific physiological processes and examples of module content in nature.

This module introduces students to the fundamental principles of evolution, behaviour, and anatomy, and explores how anatomical structures and behaviours contribute to survival and reproduction.

This module provides you with a broad overview of the diverse range of disciplines comprising ecology and environmental science including an understanding of adaptations of organisms to their environments, community ecology, the earth’s natural systems. You will study the global environment and characterisation of the Earth’s main biomes.

This module provides a multi-disciplinary approach to learning about the past, present, and future environmental conditions that shape the natural world, including human life.

Students will first explore Earth’s ancient environments, the development of life and become acquainted with the concept of evolution.

The bulk of the module will focus on contemporary issues and challenges. It will cover various impacts on ecosystems and students will examine the concept of sustainability. They will get an overview of current technological tools advancing scientific investigations across various disciplines, including the use of DNA in modern science. Current challenges for both human and animal populations will be explored, with emphasis on potential solutions and management scenarios

Finally, students will reflect on the potential scientific challenges that may arise as the world changes.

This module introduces you to a range of key laboratory and field skills relevant to the study of zoology. You will also be introduced to concepts of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and safe and ethical working practices in the biosciences.

This module explains fundamental principles in evolution from a genetics/genomics perspective in order to explain the diversity of life, and how interactions between genes and environment result in different phenotypes. The fundamental principles of genetics and evolutionary biology will be taught with specific examples relevant to each programme cohort, and emphasis on the applications of genetics within the scientific disciplines of each programme cohort.

In this module you will be introduced to the diversity of animal behaviour. You will learn to describe the behaviour of a wide range of animal species in relation to reproduction, foraging and social behaviour and to identify common behaviours in selected species, explaining their purpose.

This module covers key concepts within ecology and conservation including the abiotic environment; species, populations, communities, and ecosystems; human impacts on the environment; and various scientific applications of ecology. Case studies will be incorporated from different types of ecosystems reflecting their geographic distributions. Part of this will be achieved through field visits to a range of habitats.

This module will introduce physiological processes and the concepts of homeostasis in a variety of organisms. It will also introduce major biochemical processes in living organisms.

This module introduces the study of the diversity of organism form, function, and behaviour, by exploring how we investigate organisms through observation, data analysis, and modern research technologies, and how findings are evaluated and communicated to different audiences in both academic and career contexts.

This module covers all aspects of handling and analysing scientific data and the development of employability/graduate skills. It also provides opportunities for students to co-create questions and datasets for analysis in class. You will consider the fundamentals of analysing and interpreting scientific data using examples relevant to all biosciences. Additionally, it will allow you to prepare a better career plan in science, as well as becoming self-aware of your employability skills.

This module enables you to examine the diversity of animal life and explore the major trends in their evolution and key features in their biology. It also illustrates how many of them have coevolved in partnership with other organisms.

This module enables you to learn about physiological systems across animal phyla. Neurobiology, endocrinology, and the link between genes, proteins and behavioural phenotypes will be taught, reflecting the expertise and research interests of the teaching team. The concept of model organisms will be introduced, and model organisms will be used in the practical activities.

This module enables you to examine how ecological and evolutionary factors affect the survival and reproductive behaviour of animals. The role of ecological and evolutionary selection pressures to maximise inclusive fitness in wild animals is stressed. Particular emphasis is placed on the design and interpretation of a behavioural time budget study on zoo animals.

This module enables you to study how state-of-the-art genetic and genomic tools are used to understand how genes combine with the environment to control organismal phenotypes and disease states. It covers methodologies, practical applications and recent examples of the application of genetics and genomics in the fields of biology, medicine and evolution.

This module introduces students to the diversity, ecology and adaptations of aquatic organisms within a range of marine and freshwater environments. The physical, chemical, and biological processes that structure marine and freshwater ecosystems will be explored alongside human threats.

Local habitats are studied through fieldwork and laboratory sessions whilst global examples may be incorporated within lectures and workshops to illustrate biodiversity, productivity, and ecosystem dynamics

This module enables you to examine different methods used for animal censuses and surveys, including varied sampling approaches.

This module aims to provide a comprehensive background and understanding of animal locomotion and movement. You will investigate the process and mechanisms of motion from its physiological bases through whole animal mechanics, and group level migrations. This module will investigate animal motion in all its forms and at all scales. You will also study the fundamental physiology and anatomy of movement and use these to explore the full range of animal motion and its purposes.

This module aims to provide applied knowledge and skills in many areas of animal health and disease that are directly relevant to popular careers in the sector of wildlife conservation. The module covers aspects of bioveterinary science, behaviour, welfare, physiology, disease processes, zoonoses, and animal rescue and rehabilitation.

This module explores cutting‑edge innovations across the biological sciences and examines how new ideas move from discovery to real‑world application. Through lectures and case studies delivered by academic staff and industrial partners, students will investigate breakthroughs across various biological disciplines (e.g., biotechnology, environmental biology, healthcare) and develop an integrated understanding of how biological innovation drives scientific, societal and commercial progress

This module enables you to learn how state-of-the-art molecular and genetic tools are used to understand mechanisms that regulate the growth and development of organisms. It covers methodology and practical experiments that illuminate the molecular mechanisms that underpin developmental processes.

The aim is to provide students with an extended period of work experience at an approved partner that will complement their programme of study at LJMU. This will give students the opportunity to develop professional skills relevant to their programme of study as well as the attitude and behaviours necessary for employment in a diverse and changing environment. This extended placement forms a key part of a sandwich degree. All placements need to be assessed and approved prior to commencement in line with the LJMU Placement Learning Code of Practice. The Code of Practice requires students to conduct themselves in a professional and responsible manner during the placement - failure to do so may lead to the placement being terminated prematurely. Placements are normally for one calendar year on a full-time basis. Split placements of a shorter duration may be permissible. There is an expectation that a minimum of 1200 hours will be spent in the workplace.

The aim is to provide students with an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement their programme at LJMU. This is an additional year of full-time study at an approved higher education institution. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be appropriate for the student's programme of study. Assuming successful completion of this year, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the University Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the year abroad.

The aim is to provide students with a semester of study at an approved overseas partner that will replace one semester of their LJMU programme at level 5. This is a semester of full-time study at an approved higher education institution which will replace one semester of level 5 study at LJMU. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be an appropriate substitute for the modules being replaced. Assuming successful completion of this semester, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the University Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the semester abroad.

The research project will be in any area appropriate to your programme of study on a topic of your choice. The module provides an opportunity for you to independently develop and demonstrate project planning, time-management and organisational inter-personal skills, along with scientific and practical working methods in a research or applied context.

This module enables you to develop subject specific and employability skills e.g. interpersonal, communication, problem-solving and critical evaluation.

This module provides you with an appreciation of some modern genetic and genomic techniques that are regularly used in many studies. It is recommended that students complete the level 5 module Genes and Genomes before taking this module.

This module provides an introduction to biological issues in ecosystems during a residential field trip abroad. You will critically evaluate biological issues in selected habitats and design and carry out field-based studies to investigate biological questions.

This module enables you to investigate learning and cognition in animals and link these abilities to the ecological and social environment of an individual and species. Animal learning and cognition is discussed with respect to current (proximate factors) and evolutionary conditions (ultimate factors).

This module provides you with an understanding of the role of ex situ conservation in maintaining global biodiversity and the methods used in maintaining ex situ collections of animals and plants.

This module enables you to study the biology, diagnosis, treatment and control of some of important parasitic and infectious diseases.

This module will advance students’ expertise in marine biology. The module provides an in-depth assessment of major aspects of marine biology with a key focus on how ocean resources can be sustainably used whilst minimising harmful impacts on the environment. Critical appraisal of different methods of exploitation, the impacts of large-scale drivers such as climate change, and potential solutions, including conservation and mitigation strategies are incorporated throughout the module. 

This module enables you to understand the importance of behaviour and welfare to the effective management of a range of captive animals (wild and domestic). Behavioural problems are identified and possible methods of solving or ameliorating are considered.

This module engages students in a critical overview of current topics in primatology, that relate to the evolution, ecology and behaviour of primate species, using a mixture of lectures and seminars, along with fieldwork, practical and workshop activities.

This module builds on neurobiology-related concepts taught during the level 5 Physiology of Life module. The module provides you with an insight into how molecular, cellular and organ components contribute to form the body's most complex system and how different factors can produce dysregulation of the nervous system.

This module provides relevant, stimulating and career-orientated experiential learning to encourage you to develop transferable skills relevant to the work environment and to foster initiative and independence of thought.