Build expertise in Zoology and shape careers that protect wildlife and ecosystems.
Did you know that New Zealand’s only mammals were bats and seals, until about 1000 years ago? Animals are fascinating and there is so much to learn about them – the Zoology courses at Otago will blow your mind.
Zoology is the study of animals, their behaviour, their physiology and evolution, as well as their interactions with each other and with their environment. Zoologists also study how animals evolved and the impact of environmental change on their survival. They search for ways to manage wildlife populations and to conserve rare and endangered species, such as takahe, frogs and tuatara. They study costs and benefits of conservation and ways to enhance species survival.
Why study Zoology?
You get to work in all sorts of spectacular environments and have the opportunity to explore all sorts of places where there is animal life, like mountains, grasslands, oceans, fiords and wetlands. Zoology is a global science that will take you to all corners of the world.
New Zealand has its own unique animal life and it's a great place to study zoology and other environmental sciences. It's also one of the most interdisciplinary subjects. Staff in Zoology include ecologists, physiologists, developmental biologists, geneticists, evolutionary biologists, mathematicians, and even film makers. In our modern world, it is more important than ever that we restore and manage our environment. Zoologists can help to do that.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Zoology as an undergraduate at Otago.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
Postgraduate Certificate in Science (PGCertSci)
A coursework programme, typically consisting of three papers, that can be completed with full-time (one-semester) or part-time (full-year) study
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
A one-year programme which builds on an undergraduate science degree, encompassing coursework and a chosen research topic
Master of Science (Thesis) (MSc(Thesis))
A two-year degree with a wide range of subject options. The MSc(Thesis) may be taken by a combination of coursework and thesis, or by thesis only.
Graduate qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Papers |
|---|
Prerequisites: One further paper from ZOOL 313, ZOOL 314, ZOOL 315, ZOOL 318, ZOOL 319, AQFI 352, GENE 312, GENE 314, MARI 301, MARI 302 |
Effective 2026 onwards
| Papers |
|---|
Prerequisites: One further paper from ZOOL 313, ZOOL 314, ZOOL 315, ZOOL 318, ZOOL 319, AQFI 352, GENE 312, GENE 314, MARI 302 |
| Papers |
|---|
|
| Papers and Thesis |
|---|
|
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
ZOOL papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZOOL221 | 2026, 2027 | Animal Designs for Living | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ZOOL222 | 2026, 2027 | Evolutionary Biology | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ZOOL223 | 2026, 2027 | Animal Physiology | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ZOOL313 | 2026, 2027 | Animal Function and Environment | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ZOOL314 | 2026, 2027 | Neurobiology | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ZOOL315 | 2026, 2027 | Behavioural and Evolutionary Ecology | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ZOOL316 | 2026, 2027 | Biological Data Analysis and Computing | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ZOOL318 | 2026, 2027 | Freshwater Ecology | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ZOOL319 | 2026, 2027 | Conservation Biology | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ZOOL410 | 2026, 2027 | Evolutionary Genetics | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| ZOOL411 | 2026, 2027 | Evaluating Trends and Controversies in Ecology and Evolution | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| ZOOL412 | 2026, 2027 | Neurobiology and Behaviour | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| ZOOL414 | 2026, 2027 | Comparative Physiology | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| ZOOL415 | 2026, 2027 | Disease Ecology | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| ZOOL416 | 2026, 2027 | Freshwater Ecology | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| ZOOL417 | 2026, 2027 | Harvest Management | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2028, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| ZOOL418 | 2026, 2027 | Conservation Biology of Marine Mammals | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2028, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| ZOOL420 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Topics in Zoology | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| ZOOL422 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Topics in Animal Behaviour | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| ZOOL423 | 2026, 2027 | From Extinction to De-Extinction | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| ZOOL424 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| ZOOL425 | 2026, 2027 | Conservation Genomics | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| ZOOL480 | 2026, 2027 | Research Project | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 28 May 2027), 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 2 June 2028) |
| ZOOL490 | 2026, 2027 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 28 May 2027), 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 2 June 2028) |
| ZOOL495 | 2026, 2027 | Master's Thesis Preparation | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 18 June 2027), 2nd Non standard period (1 December 2026 - 31 October 2027), 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 2 June 2028) |
Contacts
Email zoology@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/zoology
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
World-class research
The University of Otago has a global reputation for research excellence. Our expertise is vast across health, society, culture, sustainability and the environment.
Explore our research