Zoology BSc

This core module is designed to give you the essential practical skills you'll need for a successful career in scientific research. Throughout this module, you'll build a strong foundation in laboratory techniques, data handling, and scientific methodology.

In Semester 1 you'll learn fundamental lab skills, such as pipetting, microscopy, and performing basic mathematical calculations. You'll also learn to use analytical software to collect and process data.

In Semester 2 you'll work with your coursemates on group projects that allow you to develop your own hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, collect and analyse data, and present your findings in the form of clear and concise lab reports.

This module will train you in the core competencies you'll need to perform experiments and communicate scientific research effectively.

This module is built around a team-based project focussing on identifying and communicating a real-world bioscience problem.

Your team will pick one issue from the UN's Sustainable Development Goals to focus on. You'll research this issue using articles, reports, and data to better understand it, before creating a digital project showing why the issue matters and needs action. Depending on your interests, you could choose to focus on environmental issues, health disparities, or agricultural challenges.

You'll then identify key populations that are affected, outlining the underlying causes that have led to such problems, and consider the career pathways that bioscientists could take to address this challenge.

This core module explores the vast spectrum of life that underpins modern biology. 

We'll introduce you to the approaches used to study genetics, evolution, and diversity, including classical population and quantitative genetics, phylogenetic trees, and the fossil record, covering single-celled extremophiles to multicellular animals and plants.

You'll examine the evidence for major transitions in Earth history, such as the colonisation of land and extinction events that have shaped life over geologic time. You'll also learn about the evolutionary success story of the microbial world. 

At the end of this module, you'll be able to recognise real-world applications of genetics and evolution spanning disciplines from human health to conservation.

This core module will introduce you to the essential components that constitute all living organisms.

To understand the complexity of any biological system, we must understand it across scales from molecules through to cells, tissues, organisms, populations and ecosystems.

This module explores the key principles of molecular cell biology that form the foundation of life. You'll learn about the structure and function of cellular components, how genetic information is stored and transmitted, and how cells communicate through signalling pathways in microbes, fungi, animal and plant kingdoms. You'll then explore how single cells develop into multicellular organisms.

We'll also discuss the fundamentals of the immune system of animals, how other organisms such as plants respond to and clear infection, and how this knowledge can be exploited to develop therapeutics including vaccines.

This module will introduce you to the scientific study of whole organisms.

You'll explore the physiology, reproduction, and development of animals and plants. You'll learn how both genetic and environmental factors determine animal behaviour, and how those same factors contribute to form, function and diversity across life. You'll also investigate how animals and plants acquire and process energy, nutrients, and water, before examining asexual and sexual reproduction in a range of contexts.

Humanity is facing inter-related crises of biodiversity decline and climate change. This module will give you an understanding of the anthropogenic and natural factors that determine the distribution of biodiversity, species' interactions and population sizes, and key biological-geochemical cycles that regulate environmental conditions on our planet.

You'll explore links between biodiversity decline, climate change and ecosystem function, before discussing the consequences for nature's ability to provide benefits to people and sustainability, and the solutions that can mitigate these impacts.

During this module, you'll also take part in field-based training to develop practical skills for identifying and measuring biodiversity and carbon storage.

During this module, you'll explore the rapidly expanding field of neuroscience, gaining insights into the experimental methods and techniques that are used here.

You'll learn about the fundamental physiological principles that enable the nervous system to function, before exploring the anatomy and physiology of the sensory and motor systems. Alongside understanding the mechanisms of sensation and movement, you'll begin to explore the brain's role in behaviour, cognition, and memory.

By the end of this module, you'll have a solid foundation in neuroscience, preparing you for further study in this exciting field.

This core module will build on the laboratory and field techniques and associated scientific skills that you developed in your first year.

Throughout the year, you'll complete mini group research projects, developing your own hypotheses before applying robust experimental design principles to test them. You'll then apply data analysis techniques to visualise and interrogate the data. 

We'll teach you how to effectively communicate your research projects. You'll be shown how scientific posters can be used as a creative and succinct form of communication, and learn how to review your own research in line with relevant literature.

We'll then introduce you to the exciting fields of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and bioinformatics, equipping you with a solid foundation of skills, ready to analyse biogeographical and genomic datasets.

During this module, you'll develop the advanced professional skills you'll need for a data-driven world. You'll then apply your new skills, working in a team to address a real-world problem.

We'll train you to use the statistical programming language, R, which is used to apply statistical methods to solve biological data problems.

In the second semester, you'll work in a team to address a 'Global Challenge' from the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Alongside your coursemates, you'll work to develop an innovative solution to this challenge by applying your creativity and your biological knowledge. This will give you insight into project management, finance, intellectual property and leadership, depending on your role in the team.

Throughout the year, you'll learn how to evidence your new professional skills for a digital world, and develop self-awareness of your own preferred working styles and how these can contribute to effective teamwork. We'll also teach you how to build a portfolio of evidence that showcases the skills you've developed, making you stand out from the crowd when you start applying for jobs.

This module will introduce you to the major invertebrate and vertebrate animal groups.

You'll learn about the variety of structure found in the groups and how this relates to function and way of life. We'll also explore evolutionary comparisons between and within the groups.

Through practical work and field trips, you'll put what you've learnt into practice. You'll get the chance to identify selected groups of species under natural conditions, and make inferences from your observations about their ecology, evolution, and behaviour.

This module will introduce you to animal behaviour. You'll explore foraging, reproductive behaviour, mating systems, cooperative breeding and communication.

As part of your learning, you'll test hypotheses about the development, mechanisms, adaptive significance and evolution of behaviours to answer behavioural questions.

This module will boost your understanding of evolutionary concepts and show you why evolution is crucial to our understanding of biology. You'll learn  how the latest research in evolutionary biology is transforming our understanding of biodiversity, and tackling problems from human health and disease, to responses to changing environments. 

You'll cover the origins of variation, adaptation, and natural selection, and discuss how various evolutionary forces affect the evolution of genes, genomes, populations and species. 

During lectures and practical classes, you'll learn about new technologies that are revolutionising our understanding of evolution. We'll also teach you how to analyse genomes and phenotypes in order to identify when and where selection has taken place.

This module will give you a broad understanding of neuroscience, covering neurophysiology, molecular biology, neuropharmacology, model organisms, and simple behaviours.

Building on your knowledge from the first year, you'll learn about the concepts behind complex topics such as higher brain function, behaviour, biological psychiatry, and neurodegenerative disease.

This module will take you deep into the world of plant biology, exploring how plants utilise developmental and environmental signals to optimise growth, survival, and reproduction.

You'll uncover how human intervention, through agriculture and biotechnology, has shaped the plants we rely on today and examine the challenges of feeding a growing global population in a changing climate.

Whether you're fascinated by global food security, climate resilience, or cutting-edge biotechnology, this module will show you why the plant kingdom matters more than ever.

Human impacts on the world's ecosystems are profound and without precedent in Earth's history. The urgent need to understand the impacts of anthropogenic climate change, land-use change and overexploitation has meant that ecosystem science has become one of the most important biological disciplines. Knowledge developed within this discipline has also become vital for devising strategies in sustainable agriculture. This module will build on the L1 module 'Biodiversity, Climate and Conservation' by exploring human impacts on ecosystems, and their feedback on climate change, including those in natural and agricultural ecosystems. It will cover the world's and the UK's major ecosystems, considering fundamental processes operating in the present and the past. In doing so, it will consider the interacting roles of carbon cycling, climate, soils, nutrients, fire and biodiversity. Teaching methods include lectures and discussion sessions, alongside a field excursion and practical sessions that develop skills in the ecological analysis of plants and soils, and will reinforce some of the key concepts taught in lectures.

This hands-on module will equip you with the ecological understanding and practical skills you'll need for careers or further study in applied ecology, conservation, and research.

We'll give you a strong foundation in sampling principles, including how to select field sites, distinguish between precision and accuracy, and address challenges around replication and representative sampling. 

During the module you'll embark on an intensive week-long field course, with additional field trips and workshops throughout the year. This will give you the chance to develop species identification skills before applying professional sampling techniques across a range of British habitats. 

You'll also carry out mini-research projects and real-world exercises that simulate the work of professional ecologists.

In this module you will develop an advanced understanding of the fundamental principles that explain the abundance and distribution of species on earth.  You will examine how biotic and abiotic factors shape ecological interactions across scales, from individual organisms, to populations and ecosystems.  You will learn how to use models and empirical evidence to analyse species coexistence and the structure and function of communities over time and space. You'll apply ecological insights to explore the principles and objectives of conservation biology, learning about key interdisciplinary approaches that can reduce the adverse impacts of human activity on biodiversity.  Throughout the module, you'll use case studies to bring these topics to life, covering freshwater, marine and terrestrial communities across a wide range of ecosystems in tropical and temperate environments. 

This module will give you an in- depth understanding of the developmental process in multicellular organisms, and how genes regulate this. 

During your lectures you'll learn about the development that occurs throughout the entire life cycle of an organism, and its sensitivities to environmental factors, as well as the links between environment, growth and ageing. We'll also discuss how development provides the backdrop of many medically, biologically, and economically important processes and technologies.

Your practical classes will then give you hands-on experience with manipulation of developmental model organisms.

This module will introduce you to a range of concepts and topics in modern molecular genetics and genomics.

You'll discover how genomes are organised, packaged and maintained, and why these processes are so important. Together, we'll examine how state-of-the-art molecular and computational tools allow us to interrogate genomes to determine how they are inherited and expressed. 

After this, we'll examine how core mechanistic processes (transcription, splicing, mRNA transport and translation) shape how cells operate, and what happens when errors occur in these processes. You'll look at examples in humans and examine the nuclear and extranuclear genetic basis for disease, and how modern genomic tools can be utilised for diagnostics. 

Throughout the module, you'll learn about historic and modern techniques for genetic manipulation through interactive sessions. You'll discover what these tools can achieve; and ethical considerations for using them not just in humans but in all multicellular organisms.

This module will introduce you to key concepts in bacterial physiology, ecology, genetics, virulence, and therapeutics.

You'll learn about genome organisation and gene regulation, bacteriophage biology and resistance, environmental microbiology, biogeochemical cycling, and soil microbiology, and get the chance to analyse and interpret microbiological data.

Once you've gained a good foundation of knowledge, we'll show you the beneficial and harmful sides of bacterium-host interaction, and what this can mean for human and plant health. You'll then explore a range of important pathogens as examples as you learn about the bacterial strategies and virulence factors that contribute to disease.

We'll also discuss human immune responses and how vaccines can protect against disease, before exploring current and potential antimicrobial agents in detail.

This hands-on module will equip you with the ecological understanding and practical skills you'll need for careers or further study in applied ecology, conservation, and research.

We'll give you a strong foundation in sampling principles, including how to select field sites, distinguish between precision and accuracy, and address challenges around replication and representative sampling. 

During the module you'll embark on an intensive week-long field course, with additional field trips and workshops throughout the year. This will give you the chance to develop species identification skills before applying professional sampling techniques across a range of British habitats. 

You'll also carry out mini-research projects and real-world exercises that simulate the work of professional ecologists.

The Capstone Project module will allow you to bring together the skills and knowledge you've gained throughout your degree so far, and apply them to a key research question in your area of interest. This final piece of work will wrap up everything you've learnt at Sheffield.A range of project types are available, including but not limited to laboratory-based, field-based, collections-based, bioinformatics, computer modelling, education, and science communication.Guided by a member of Biosciences staff, you'll;1: Individually identify a key research question and address this through a comprehensive literature review.2: Depending on the project format, you'll plan a research project, assess health, safety and ethical considerations, undertake the research, and analyse the data either individually or as a group.3: Individually analyse, interpret, evaluate and communicate your findings by producing a project portfolio in a format appropriate for the project type.

This module will teach you how evolutionary processes shape genomes and how genomic data can be used to infer evolutionary histories, uncover mechanisms of adaptation, and address real-world challenges. 

Your lectures will focus on whether we can build a tree of life, how complex traits evolve, the genomic architecture of adaptation, mechanisms of rapid adaptation, and what we can learn from experimental and long-term evolutionary studies. We'll also focus on the practical applications of evolutionary genomics, from conservation genomics to epidemiology.        

You'll gain hands-on experience of analysing genome data, as well as journal club-style discussions on recent developments in this rapidly evolving field.

Genes are the fundamental unit of inheritance and ultimately provide the information that determines the traits of an organism. Molecular genetics investigates how genes are organised within genomes, the mechanisms that regulate their expression within cells, tissues and across generations and how they interact to generate these traits.

During this module we'll examine molecular mechanisms that regulate transcription, RNA splicing, RNA stability, RNA export and translation, and how all these processes are coupled in the cell to ensure efficient, quality-controlled gene expression. We'll also explore how epigenetic processes regulate gene expression both within an organism and across generations.

You'll be introduced to the latest methods that allow researchers to interrogate genes and genomes, and you'll gain experience in analysing and interpreting genetic data. These technologies can be applied to some of the world's most pressing challenges from the treatment of both simple and complex diseases to the production of organisms with novel traits.

The future of humanity critically depends on whether our global population can live sustainably on Earth - and for us to understand and implement the changes that are needed to achieve this.

This module will take a critical look at the impacts of the current unsustainability of agricultural and urban ecosystems - on soils, biodiversity, nutrients, water, air pollution, greenhouse gases, people's health and wellbeing, and the wider landscape - and evaluates solutions to these problems. Data evidence is used to objectively assess both the scale of the problems and the relative effectiveness of solutions to them, providing you with the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate alternative pathways to a more sustainable future.

We'll take a whole-landscape perspective that considers how to: reduce impacts of agriculture, forestry production and urbanisation on natural ecosystems; increase agricultural sustainability; change to healthier diets; and enhance urban ecosystem benefits. These include providing food, nature connections, and more healthy environments, helping to improve our overall health and wellbeing. 

Improving the sustainability of agricultural and urban ecosystems is a challenge that requires interdisciplinary thinking to solve complex problems. You'll gain insights into economic, social, ethical, political and religious beliefs that have driven unsustainable agricultural and urbanisation practices and led to exploitation of both people and the planet. This will give you knowledge and insights into the convergence of world views that put sustainability of people and the planet at their core.

By the end of the module, you'll be ready to apply what you've learned to develop more sustainable agricultural and urban systems, live more sustainably and help others do the same.

This module will give you an in-depth understanding of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. We'll explore the molecular and genetic control of cell fate specification and differentiation, existing and potential clinical uses of stem cells and their derivatives.

By using detailed examples of regenerative medicine strategies for replacing specific cells, organs and tissues, you'll learn about the key steps of the regenerative medicine process from translating scientific research conducted in the laboratory into clinical applications and patient care - 'bench to bedside'.

We'll look at topical research in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine which will allow you to critically assess the current limitations and potential applications.

This module will give you a unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of the form and function of the modern human body.

You'll trace the phylogenetic evolution of humans, from non-human primates, through fossil hominids, to modern humans, exploring how humans evolved the structures we see today.

This module aims to contextualise human anatomy by viewing the body as an evolving organism embodying millions of years of adaptation.

During this module we'll analyse sensory systems, using the auditory system as a primary model to explore broader neurobiological principles and comparing these to other sensory systems. 

You'll investigate the transition of sensory signals from peripheral transduction to complex integration within higher-order cortical regions. Our focus will be on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying sensory development and plasticity, alongside the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative sensory disorders and ageing. We'll also explore recent advances in translational medicine, including emerging regenerative strategies to restore function.

Through journal club-based learning, you'll learn how to interpret and critically evaluate primary scientific literature. As part of this module, you'll undertake training in data informatics, allowing you to analyse complex datasets. You'll then get the chance to formulate original hypotheses and choose appropriate neuroscientific techniques which could test these hypotheses. 

By the end of the module, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of both theoretical and applied sensory neuroscience.

Human activities strongly shape the abundance and occurrence of species across the Earth. The populations and distributions of some are drastically reduced, often bringing them to the brink of extinction or pushing them over. Others are expanding rapidly, including outside of native ranges. 

This module will introduce you to a range of topical issues in the field of conservation science, using examples drawn from terrestrial and marine systems, and from a wide diversity of organisms. 

You'll learn about the interplay between natural and social systems in conservation science, with a strong focus on the political, cultural, and economic drivers of conservation issues. As part of this, we'll also consider possible management strategies to address conservation issues, as well as evaluation of these strategies.

This module will introduce you to three current themes in animal behaviour. You'll explore the tension between cooperation and conflict in social interactions, sensory modalities and their ecological contexts, and animal behaviour in the Anthropocene. Each theme will include the core theoretical concepts that underpin research in that field, and the mechanistic and functional approaches taken to test those theories.

Field research is an essential component of the biological sciences. The module starts prior to entering the field, with students considering risk assessments and preparing talks on the concepts to be studied. Students will then enter one of a range of environments, which may include inter alia the Peak District, North Wales, Portugal or Borneo. Following a period of familiarisation with the habitat and wildlife, students will identify a biological question, design a field research study, collect observational data, design and carry out experiments, analyse data and present their findings in a series of talks. On returning from the field, students will develop their writing and analytical skills and prepare a report on their field projects. The module will develop skills in specific areas of the biological sciences, such as tropical ecology and conservation, behavioural ecology, population and community ecology, and coastal and marine ecology.

In this module you'll examine the foundations of science as an institution. You'll develop an understanding of how scientific approaches, principles and frameworks have been constructed and explore what these mean in practice. You'll then critique these principles for yourself, and ultimately, consider your own place as a scientist.

We'll start by exploring the origins of scientific theory, the history of science and the ethical frameworks around its practice, from its origins in natural philosophy, to modern legal frameworks.

We'll then explore these principles and the institutions they create by considering diverse and challenging topics. These will include global justice and inequalities in research, controversies in medical and research ethics (such as IVF, animal testing), commercialisation, ownership and intellectual property, and the relationship between science and society.

Finally, you'll reflect on your role as a consumer and practitioner of scientific research, and the responsibilities of the researcher in ensuring ethical, equitable and responsible science.

Microbes are everywhere. They're a critical component of the biosphere, driving many of the elemental cycles that influence life at global scales, including the release of greenhouse gases and fixation of elements into the ocean and soil. From a microbial perspective, the human body is also a collection of diverse microenvironments, each with a native population of microorganisms that play a critical role in maintaining health.In this module, we'll discuss the use of genomics and other cutting-edge methods to understand microbes, from characterising the functions of individual genes to profiling the microbial populations of specific environments, and investigating their influence on entire ecosystems. Microbes have the capacity to gain genes through horizontal gene transfer. We'll examine the influence this process has on the genome structure of bacteria and their ability to adapt to and influence a diverse range of environments.

Topics will include microbial genomics and diversity, metagenomics and the human microbiome, environmental metagenomics, the role of microbes in agriculture and climate change, the microbiology of extreme environments, and experimental approaches to understanding microbial evolution and ecology.

This module explores the deep history of life with a focus on macroevolutionary patterns and processes, emphasising the importance of integration of fossil evidence with phylogenetic approaches.

You'll examine major evolutionary transitions, patterns of morphological evolution, extinction events, diversification dynamics, adaptive radiations, and macroevolutionary 'rules'. You'll develop your understanding of the processes that have shaped biodiversity change over timescales spanning millions of years ('deep time').

We'll explore case studies of extinct and extant animal groups, such as (but not limited to) dinosaurs and mammals, and examine key evolutionary developments through the lens of the fossil record.

You'll develop skills to address fundamental questions about the history of life, including describing and interpreting fossil data, reconstructing evolutionary relationships and their timescales, and applying analytical methods to study biodiversity change through geological time.

This module explores key contemporary research themes in plant biology, and focuses on how discoveries from fundamental plant science can be translated into practical, real-world applications. It's centred on meeting the global challenge of sustainable food production, which will require a 'second green revolution' where climate-resilient crops are produced more sustainably.

We'll examine the latest advances in plant molecular biology and biotechnology, highlighting how rapid progress in these fields is driving innovation in modern crop breeding. You'll explore a broad range of research areas within plant biology, from plant development and reproduction to abiotic stress responses and interactions with other organisms, such as pathogens, pests, parasitic weeds, and beneficial soil microbes, which collectively shape plant performance in natural and agricultural settings.

We'll introduce you to the fundamental biological processes underpinning plant traits and explore how this knowledge can be applied to develop sustainable biotechnological solutions to global challenges, such as food security, agricultural sustainability, and environmental change.

The module will end with a symposium day. We'll welcome a guest seminar from a leading plant biologist, and hold a student poster event showcasing your own visions for discovery-led research that could deliver the innovations we'll need for a second green revolution.

This module will give you an understanding of how post-genomic biology impacts our ability to understand diseases of the body. 

You will be introduced to major in vivo experimental systems and approaches that are central to disease modelling, as well as in vitro cell-based models. There will be an emphasis on how our understanding of developmental biology impacts clinical approaches to disease.

We'll explore the principles involved in how these systems are used to understand the basic biology that underpins human diseases, and how this knowledge can be exploited to develop new strategies for patient treatment. 

A core part of this module is the critical evaluation of research papers, giving you experience in analysing experimental work, interpreting results and formulating experimental plans.

During this module, you'll learn about the clinical features, genetics, pathophysiology and treatment of neurodegenerative disease. 

We'll focus on the major neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and motor neurone disease. Other forms of dementia, Huntington's disease and spinal muscular atrophy will also be considered to highlight specific disease mechanisms and therapeutic developments. 

The module has a strong translational thread running through it. You'll explore and evaluate current therapeutic developments utilising antibodies, gene therapy, stem cells and drugs. You'll also consider the sustainability issues surrounding dementia and the role of prevention in addressing them.

This module takes you to the forefront of population and community ecology, where ecologists tackle complex questions about how natural systems work and how we can draw robust conclusions from imperfect evidence. 

Rather than covering a wide range of topics superficially, you'll explore a small number of advanced ecological questions in depth, using real data, models, and research papers to understand how ecological knowledge is developed and tested. 

Teaching is organised around themed topic blocks, which may vary from year to year, but always focus on how to frame ecological problems, evaluate evidence, and interpret results critically. 

Throughout this module, you'll learn how to analyse ecological data, question assumptions, and judge the strengths and limitations of different approaches. 

The ideas and approaches you'll study underpin many areas of modern ecology, including biodiversity science,  wildlife conservation and environmental management.  By the end of the module, you'll be able to think like a professional ecologist - constructing clear, evidence-based arguments and communicating complex ideas.

This module covers the anatomy and physiology of reproductive systems in a variety of animals, including humans. 

You'll learn about gamete production and function before studying fertilisation processes, taking a comparative approach across a number of animal groups. You'll then explore the ways that humans can interfere with these natural processes to achieve a contraceptive effect, alongside a look at global fertility trends. 

We'll cover the imprinting cycle that occurs during gamete production and investigate the impact of errors in these processes. We'll also explore the underlying causes of infertility in humans and more general reproductive failure in wild animals, including environmental impacts. 

You'll get the chance to examine the reproductive technologies (including artificial gametes) and their applications in treating human infertility and supporting animal conservation efforts. We'll also dedicate sessions to debating the complex ethical issues surrounding these emerging technologies, and welcome guest lecturers who will provide additional research and clinical context on fertility and infertility.

This module explores the latest methods and big ideas in modern zoology, covering diverse topics from DNA and AI to how the public helps track wildlife. 

You'll work with new technology and big data sets to see how zoologists are addressing major scientific and global challenges. We'll look at how museum and archive collections, and global teamwork, are opening up new ways to monitor nature. 

By combining tech with hands-on research, you'll build the skills needed to understand how these new tools and digital projects are shaping the future of animal science.