Zoology: Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Program Overview

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It focuses on environmental and medical biology, emphasizing critical thinking, practical skills, and research through laboratory work, field trips, and a capstone project. The program prepares graduates for careers in academia, research, and diverse industries related to animal health, conservation, and the environment.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

Zoology is the study of living animals and their relationship with their environment. The program emphasizes the integration of biological organization across all levels, from molecules to the biosphere, and encompasses the diversity of species, from single-celled organisms to complex animal species.

• Make new discoveries about the world around us.
• Seek solutions to global challenges to the environment.

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Program Description:

The Zoology program is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of animal biology, encompassing molecular, cellular, behavioral, parasitological, ecological, and environmental aspects. The central narrative of the program is understanding the evolution and diversity of animals using various approaches, including genetics, microscopy, experiments, and field observations. It emphasizes hands-on learning with a high laboratory component, use of museum material, and a choice of local and international field trips.

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Outline:

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Structure:

• The first two years are common to all students in the Science program, focusing on the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (TR060) stream.
• In the third and fourth years, the course highlights the major concerns of modern zoology in relation to environmental and medical biology.
• Students are introduced to cell biological and other analytical techniques, fieldwork, computer-aided data handling and processing, and scientific communication skills.

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Course Schedule:

• Third and Fourth Year:
• Core Modules:
Animal diversity, comparative physiology, ecology, marine biology (including a field trip), and terrestrial ecology (including a field trip).
• Optional Modules: Genetics, behavior, developmental biology, entomology, evolution of infectious diseases, and tropical ecology.
• Fourth Year:
• Capstone Research Project:
Students undertake an individual research project. Past projects have focused on gene regulation of embryonic limb development, the behavior of badgers, deep sea fisheries, and the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and the environment.

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Module Descriptions:

• Animal Diversity: This module explores the diversity of animal life, covering topics such as classification, evolution, and adaptation.
• Comparative Physiology: This module examines the physiological adaptations of animals to different environments.
• Ecology: This module investigates the interactions between organisms and their environment, including topics such as population dynamics, community structure, and ecosystem function.
• Marine Biology: This module focuses on the biology of marine organisms and ecosystems, including a field trip to a marine environment.
• Terrestrial Ecology: This module explores the ecology of terrestrial organisms and ecosystems, including a field trip to a terrestrial environment.
• Genetics: This module delves into the principles of genetics, including topics such as inheritance, gene expression, and molecular genetics.
• Behavior: This module examines the behavior of animals, including topics such as communication, social behavior, and learning.
• Developmental Biology: This module explores the development of animals from fertilization to adulthood.
• Evolution of Infectious Diseases: This module investigates the evolution of infectious diseases and their impact on human and animal health.

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Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, laboratory work, field trips, and seminars.
• Faculty: The Department of Zoology at Trinity College Dublin has a diverse array of active researchers addressing a wide range of Zoological questions, broadly separated into organismal biology and molecular/cellular biology.
• Unique Approaches: The program incorporates innovative techniques and methodologies such as immunology, stable isotopes, genetics, analytical chemistry, proteomics, and numerical computation.

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Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Academic and research careers in Ireland and overseas.
• Postgraduate Veterinary and Medicine courses.
• Employment in the agriculture and fisheries sector (Teagasc, BIM, Inland Fisheries Ireland).
• Employment in the environment and wildlife services (EPA, National Parks and Wildlife Service, National Biodiversity Data Centre, and various Local Authorities).
• Biomedical industry and agencies (HSE).
• International environment and development agencies (FAO, IUCN, and WBCSD).
• Wildlife and environmental publishing, filmmaking, and other careers in the media.
• Software development, data science, biotechnology, second and third-level teaching, medicine, veterinary, museum and tourism work, environmental lobbying with national and international NGOs, environmental and wildlife consultancy, and fish farming.
• Work in zoos.

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Other:

• Research-Led Teaching: The Department of Zoology believes in the principle of "research-led teaching."
• Strengths: The department's strengths lie in ecosystem ecology and biodiversity, global change biology, marine biology, ecology and evolution of infectious diseases, evolution of behavior, comparative physiology, and developmental biology.
• Alumni Network: The department has a network of research alumni on every continent.
• Notable Alumni: Professor William Campbell, a graduate of Zoology, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2015 for his work on discovering a class of drugs effective against River Blindness.