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Department of Zoology

 

We know from experience that your interests may not always fall tidily into the standard areas of biology such as "ecology", "evolution", "behaviour", and/or "cell biology".  Many students wish to get experience of different aspects of animal biology, and Part II Zoology is organised with this in mind. 

The only requirement is that you select two modules in each of the two teaching terms.

Often the interface between two conventional areas is a growing point in the subject, which is why we encourage this freedom of choice.

We encourage you to follow your interests as far as possible, even if you have not previously studied a particular area. All modules are taught in a way which is designed to maximise their accessibility to students taking the course. If you have any concerns about your ability to take a particular module you should contact the module organiser who will be very willing to advise you.

You need not decide on your modules until you have sampled what is available at the beginning of each term. This page outlines the contents of the modules in order to indicate what is available.  Although the modules can be combined according to individual choice, the following are examples of some of the more obvious combinations (modules lettered and numbered for convenience; M =  Michaelmas Term module, L = Lent Term module).

Students are required to attend all lectures on their chosen modules, therefore a small number of module combinations will not be possible due to schedule clashes.

  • An evolutionary biologist might select two of ZM1, ZM2 and ZM5 followed by two out of ZL1, ZL3 and ZL5.
  • An ecologist or conservation biologist might select two of ZM2, ZM5 and PLM3 followed by two out of ZL2, ZL3 and ZL4.
  • A cell or developmental biologist might choose two from ZM6, ZM7, ZM8 and ZM9, followed by two from ZL5, ZL6, ZL7 and Bioinformatics.
  • Someone interested in behaviour might select ZM5, followed by ZL3 or ZL5.

These are simply examples to show ways in which the modules can be combined to meet individual interests.  Members of the staff will be very happy to discuss other combinations, and to give you advice.

**Timetable below updated 9.3.21 - please note that this timetable is potentially subject to minor changes between now and October**

Michaelmas term

  9am - 10am 10am - 11am 11am - 12pm 12pm - 1pm 1pm - 2pm 2pm - 3pm 3pm - 4pm 4pm - 5pm
Monday ZM7 ZM1 ZM8
PlantSciM3

ZM1 demonstration practicals

  ZM5 ZM2
ZM4
ZM6
Tuesday           ZM8 journal clubs  
Wednesday ZM7 ZM1

ZM8

PlantSciM3

ZM1 demonstration practicals   ZM5 ZM2
ZM4
ZM6
Thursday       Special Seminars   ZM6 journal clubs  
Friday ZM7 ZM1 ZM8
PlantSciM3
ZM1 demonstration practicals   ZM5 ZM2
ZM4
ZM6

Lent term

  9am - 10am 10am - 11am 11am - 12pm 12pm - 1pm 1pm - 2pm 2pm - 3pm 3pm - 4pm 4pm - 5pm
Monday

ZL7
ZL5

ZL1
ZL2

  ZL1 demonstration practicals    ZL6

ZL4

Bioinformatics (practical)

ZL3

Bioinformatics (practical)

Tuesday ZL5         ZL6 journal clubs (will most likely run 2-3pm) Bioinformatics
Wednesday

ZL7
ZL5

ZL1
ZL2
  ZL1 demonstration practicals   ZL6 ZL4 ZL3
Thursday ZL5     Special Seminars      

ZL3

Bioinformatics

Friday

ZL7
ZL5

ZL1
ZL2
  ZL1 demonstration practicals   ZL6 ZL4