Department of Zoology, University of Otago, New Zealand

Courses and Subjects

• Overview
• Qualifications
• Paper Profiles
• Major Subject and Programme Requirements:
  • Undergraduate Examples
  • Postgraduate Examples

Overview

Zoology is one of the most interdisciplinary subjects in science. Our staff include ecologists, physiologists, developmental biologists, geneticists, evolutionary biologists, mathematicians, and even film makers. As a result, there is considerable flexibility in the choice of Zoology courses you can take. Paper topics include basic cell and animal biology, animal diversity, animal physiology and evolution, ecology, genetics, statistics, neurobiology, behavioural ecology, parasitology and aquatic ecology. Our courses also have a strong New Zealand flavour with an emphasis on the unique nature of our animals and their conservation and management problems.

We offer the traditional qualifications in Zoology, however, the Department of Zoology also contributes significantly to a large number of other undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes:

• Ecology
• Environmental Science
• Genetics
• Science Communication
  • Science and Natural History Filmmaking
  • Creative Nonfiction Writing in Science
  • Popularizing Science
• Neuroscience
• Wildlife Management

Remember when planning your course to consider both your career aspirations and personal subject interests. We also encourage students to recognise the importance of developing a solid science background (not only in biology but also in subjects such as chemistry, physics, geology or geography) and mathematical, statistical and computing skills.

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Qualifications

Undergraduate

The Department of Zoology offers the following undergraduate degrees. Click on the links below to see the University prescriptions for Zoology majors and minors:

• three year Bachelor of Science (BSc)
• four year Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc Hons)
• minor in Science for Zoology

Undergraduates who are majoring in Zoology and who wish to do more than a three-year BSc, often ask which is the more appropriate degree programme: BSc Hons or MSc. There is no ‘official’ answer to this question, but students should seek advice as our recommendations will depend on individual circumstances and what future career plans are. For more information on the pros and cons of choosing to study for a BSc Hons or an MSc in Zoology click on the following link. <Pros and cons of choosing to study for a BSc Hons or an MSc in Zoology>

Download the Undergraduate Booklet for 2010:

2010 Undergraduate Booklet (PDF 1MB)

Postgraduate

The Department of Zoology also offers a variety of postgraduate courses. Click the links below to see the University prescriptions:

• Postgraduate Diploma In Science (Zoology)
• Master of Science (Zoology)
• Doctor of Philosophy

For more information on suggested research topics and ideas for postgraduate students within the Department of Zoology download the following pdf document:
2010 Thesis Topics (PDF 480KB)

Download the Postgraduate Booklet for 2009:

2009 Postgraduate Booklet (PDF 918KB)

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Major Subject and Programme Requirements

Pros and cons of choosing to study for a BSc Hons or an MSc in Zoology

If you plan to go on and do a PhD:

• The BSc Hons degree provides ample professional training and research experience to proceed directly to a PhD (if you gain high enough marks). Studying for a BSc Hons can thus be viewed as a particularly efficient use of time and resources (one year’s study rather than two or more for an MSc). Many students have followed this route to a PhD, finding it challenging but very rewarding, and proceeded to successful careers. A good proportion of these have also published their research in a peer-reviewed journal – an excellent opening step in a research career.
• On the other hand, the MSc format gives greater time to dedicate to your research project, providing a more comprehensive initiation to the world of independent research. The MSc can also be less stressful because papers are done in year one and research in year 2, instead of papers plus a reduced research project in a single year. Furthermore you can apply for an MSc scholarship (covers tuition fees plus living allowance) for your final ‘Thesis only year’, based primarily on the marks attained during your papers year. Progress to a PhD depends, as with BSc Hons, on gaining high enough marks for papers and thesis. Many students have also followed this route to a PhD and proceeded to successful careers. The more substantial research effort probably increases the likelihood, compared to BSc Hons, that part of the research will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
• It is worth noting that students pursuing an MSc and who perform particularly strongly as they commence research can be considered for transfer to PhD research. In this case the student would not take out an MSc, and could gain a PhD in about the same length of time as one following the BSc Hons route.
• Note also that having gained a BSc Hons degree, and having therefore already completed the necessary papers, it is possible to proceed in a subsequent year to an MSc by thesis only.
• In either case, the nature of the research project students wish to do may determine the degree path they are able to take.

If you do not plan to pursue a PhD:

• The BSc Hons degree is recognized as prestigious in many parts of the world, but in some places it will be less familiar. Even within New Zealand, some universities do not provide a BSc Hons degree programme, although all offer an MSc degree. Nevertheless, reports from the Head of Department and referees can be used to make clear what a BSc Hons represents. The BSc Hons can be used as a ‘final’ degree in its own right. However, if you do not intend to proceed to a PhD, studying for an MSc is probably a better option – being recognized more widely and containing a more substantial research training

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Undergraduate Programme Examples

Bachelor of Science in Zoology

The BSc is a programme of papers with a combined value of not fewer than 360 credit points (see for more about the new 360 point system). The degree must include at least 180 points at 200-level or above. The remainder of the 162 credit points that you require to complete your degree (in addition to those specified for a Zoology major) can be made up from a wide range of subjects at 100-, 200- and 300-level in areas as diverse as anatomy, biochemistry, botany, chemistry, computer science, ecology, genetics, geography, geology, mathematics, microbiology, physics, physiology, psychology and statistics. You are also permitted to include up to 90 points from non-science papers.

Remember that papers at 200- or 300-level usually have prerequisite papers that must have been passed in earlier years; take this into account when planning your programme. The University Calendar contains all relevant details of papers and their credit point values. Many students who major in Zoology take more than the minimum 72 points of 300-level Zoology papers.

Example of a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree majoring in Zoology

Bachelor of Science with Honours in Zoology

If you perform well in your first and second years of study, and have passed at a satisfactory level, papers which total 252 points (including at least 108 points at 200-level), you can apply for admission into the Zoology Honours course at the end of your second year. The BSc Honours programme extends to a fourth year. For an outline of fourth year papers see the Paper Profiles listed above. In addition, Honours students attend a series of Research Student Workshops and the Annual Student Research Colloquium.

Why take a BSc (Hons) degree? Most of our PhD candidates were previously Honours students and the BSc (Hons) can be viewed as a fast-track programme for academically-able students who aspire to a PhD degree or MSc by thesis only. Others who do not wish to study for more than four years may take the BSc (Hons) degree simply to provide a stronger qualification that enhances their prospects of a career in Zoology. Many students, however, who wish to continue their studies choose instead the ordinary three year BSc followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Wildlife Management, Natural History Film-making or Environmental Science, or an MSc by papers and thesis.

Example of a Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc Hons) degree majoring in Zoology

Minor in Zoology

It is also possible to have a lesser specialisation in Zoology recognised as a 'minor '. It is possible to have a subject normally associated with a completely different degree specified as a minor subject, consult the University Calendar for more information.

Note that a specified minor subject is not compulsory and other combinations of papers may be more appropriate for your particular circumstances.

Example of a minor in Zoology

Postgraduate Programme Examples

Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Zoology

A Diploma in Science is completed in one year by full-time students and consists of four papers (as specified below) and a research project consisting of original research in an area of the student's own choosing. It is essentially the same course as that followed by Zoology Honours students in their fourth year at Otago and is appropriate for students with a three year BSc degree in zoology, biology or ecology awarded elsewhere, or for mature students returning for a period of advanced study.

Example of a Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDip) degree in Zoology

Master of Science in Zoology

The degree of Master of Science is awarded on a research thesis alone or, more usually, by passing appropriate papers in the first year (as shown below) and submitting a thesis after a further year of research. Suitable research topics for the thesis should be discussed with academic staff. Students are required to have arranged a thesis topic and supervision before enrolment.

The prerequisite for entry to the MSc by papers and thesis is a BSc degree, normally in Zoology, Ecology or Biology. Applications for entry to this course should reach the Registrar by 10 December. Applications for the MSc by thesis only can be submitted at any time. To be eligible for the latter degree, students must have completed a four year Honours degree or an ordinary degree followed by a Postgraduate Diploma. Entry is dependent on the quality of previous research experience and academic performance..

Paper: Those in the first year of a Masters degree are required to take the relevant 495 (Thesis preparation) paper and four papers (see below) of their choice. Teaching is normally by directed reading, seminars and essays.

Example of a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Zoology

Research Thesis: In working towards your research thesis you will develop a number of important skills. You will be encouraged to develop the ability to communicate effectively in writing and to present clear and well-illustrated talks - both are crucial to a professional zoologist. You will also learn to make efficient use of the scientific literature related to your research topic and become an expert in your chosen area. We can guide you on how to research a topic of substantive interest to Mäori or to communicate the results back to the Mäori community in a culturally appropriate manner. Finally, and most importantly, you will acquire expertise in experimental design, statistical analysis and critical interpretation of results from an original piece of research. Masters students are encouraged to publish their thesis research in international scientific journals.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A doctorate is the ultimate step in university education. Those awarded the degree will become the next generation of researchers, university teachers and leaders in science. The prerequisite for entry into the PhD programme is a BSc Honours or MSc degree in which performance has been of a sufficiently high standard to satisfy the University Senate of the student's ability to successfully complete a doctorate. The degree is awarded upon the presentation of a thesis after a minimum of two and a half years of full-time research or four years of part-time research. The research is conducted under the supervision of one or more members of the academic staff of the Department of Zoology. A joint supervisor may also be a member of academic staff from another department or research organisation (e.g. Department of Conservation or Crown Research Institutes). There is no compulsory course work associated with the PhD, but students are able to pursue their interests by taking postgraduate courses such as those outlined in the MSc section of this booklet.

As a PhD student you will learn how to identify a problem and devise some significant hypotheses, design a series of experiments and observations to address these hypotheses, analyse data in an appropriate manner, interpret results critically and place your work into the context of the existing literature in your field of research. You will develop expertise in written and oral communication, with the ability to argue a difficult scientific case and to spot weaknesses in other people's arguments. Close support, particularly in the early stages of work, is available to PhD students from their research supervisor(s), an appointed advisory group and others in the Department. However, past experience has shown that PhD students gradually acquire the skills and confidence required until they are fully on a par with their supervisors.

A candidate shall pursue a course of study and research under supervision for a minimum period equivalent to 2.5 EFTS consumption and a maximum period equivalent to 4 EFTS consumption. No course of study shall exceed eight calendar years from the date of first admission.