Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) is a flexible course in which students undertake a major subject and a minor subject. More information on the BBS course is available on their website:
https://www.biology.cam.ac.uk/undergrads/nst/bbs
Part II Zoology is available as a major subject, and various Zoology modules are now available as a minor subject, so it is possible to take BBS entirely within Zoology. Part II BBS Zoology (major) course comprises:
Zoology lecture modules
BBS Zoology major students take two Zoology modules in Michaelmas term and two in Lent term, the same as project students. Please refer to the Part II Zoology webpages for further information about modules and which combinations are possible.
BBS minor
In addition to the BBS major Zoology modules, students choose a minor course from a large selection available across different departments, see permissible subject combinations on the BBS website. The following Zoology modules are now available as a minor subject:
- ZM1 Vertebrate Evolution
- ZM2 Conservation Science
- ZM4 Neuroethology: The neural basis of adaptive behaviour
- ZL5 Genetics, development and animal diversity
Dissertation
Students write a 6,000 word account of a topic or question that lies broadly within the field of either the major or minor subject.
Special seminars
In addition to these formal parts of the course, there are a number of Special seminars on a range of topics such as careers advice and how to give a write a dissertation.
Facilities and contacts
Part II BBS Zoology students are treated as full members of the Department, which is unusually large and diverse. There is a tradition of easy and informal access to members of the teaching staff and others, with whom students share the Tea room and other facilities and activities. The friendliness of the Department is often one of the first things a student will mention about the course.
Part II students have full use of the excellent and comprehensive facilities provided by the Balfour Library, including workstations. There is also a dedicated Part II Common Room with full facilities.
Professor Andrew Balmford is the current Part II Zoology and BBS Zoology course organiser and is available to give you advice and information on any aspect of the course, and to deal with any day-to-day problems that may arise during the year. You should feel free to contact him as your first port of call when you have any questions or difficulties connected with the Zoology course.
George Rutherford organises many practical aspects of the course, and is always willing to discuss issues with Part II students. The Teaching and Graduate Office is in Room 13 on the first floor of the Department.
Jane Acred is the librarian and can help with any matters related to the library or online access to journals/books.
Students are welcome to attend Happy Hour in the Tea room on Friday afternoons. Parties for Part II students are held at the start of Michaelmas Term and after the exams.
Assessment
All BBS candidates submit a 6,000 word dissertation. BBS Zoology major students take four written 3 hour examination papers, one per module: on each of these four papers candidates answer three questions. Students are also assessed in their minor subject. For those taking a Zoology module as their minor subject, this assessment is a written 3 hour examination paper on which candidates answer three questions.