IELTS 6.0 (no band less than 5.5) or equivalent.
Reptiles and amphibians are increasingly appreciated as model organisms in many fields of zoology, and are the focus of growing conservation concern due to the alarming decline of many species. This means that we now require a new generation of trained professional scientists with specialised knowledge and skills relating to these animals in addition to a broad zoological background. This course combines traditional zoology with an emphasis upon amphibian and reptile biology and diversity, and is delivered along with aspects of conservation management and practices. Students have the opportunity to undertake a herpetology field trip to Arizona at the beginning of the second year. Our aim is to provide you with a combination of a sound and broad zoological training that covers both pure and applied aspects of animal life, and specialist herpetological knowledge and skills. The provision of a diversity of laboratory and field zoology experience is an important component of the course, as is the acquisition of transferable skills (data analysis, group work, presentational and writing skills, IT skills).
Bangor is a UK centre of research excellence in herpetology, with three full-time faculty staff specialising in amphibians and reptiles. You will not only enjoy the resources expected of a modern centre of animal biology but will also benefit from the proximity of an exceptional range of natural habitats where field work, an integral part of the degree, is conducted. We are unusual among British universities in having our own substantial zoology museum, and being part of the Environment Centre Wales which is a partnership venture between Bangor University and the Natural Environment Research Council’s Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH).
More info: Click here
Year 1 Modules
Compulsory Modules
Semester 1
BNS-1002: Organismal Diversity (20)
BNS-1004: Principles of Life 1 (20)
BSX-1028: Tutorials Year 1 (20) or
BSC-1028: Tiwtorialau Blwyddyn 1 (20)
BSX-1030: Practical Skills 1 (20)
Semester 2
DNS-1003: Ecology & Evolution (20)
BNS-1004: Principles of Life 1
BSX-1028: Tutorials Year 1 or
BSC-1028: Tiwtorialau Blwyddyn 1
BSX-1031: Practical Skills 2 (20) or
BSC-1031: Practical Skills 2 (20)
Year 2 Modules
Compulsory Modules
Semester 1
BNS-2002: Evolution & Genetics (20) or
BNC-2002: Esblygiad a Geneteg (20)
BSX-2021: BioScience Skills (20) or
BSC-2021: Medrau Bio-Wyddoniaeth (20)
Semester 2
BSX-2021: BioScience Skills or
BSC-2021: Medrau Bio-Wyddoniaeth
BSX-2028: Introduction to Herpetology (20)
Optional Modules
60 credits from:
DXX-2003: Principles of Conservation (20) (Semester 1)
DXX-2009: Conservation Practice (20) (Semester 2)
BSX-2017: Invertebrates (20) (Semester 2)
BSX-2018: Behavioural Ecology (20) (Semester 2)
BSX-2019: Principles of Life 2 (20) (Semester 1)
BSX-2022: Vertebrate Biology (20) (Semester 1)
BSX-2030: Integrated Zoology (20) (Semester 2)
BSX-2031: Arizona Fieldcourse (20) (Semester 1)
BSX-2032: India Field Course (20) (Semester 1)
BSX-2033: Primatology Field Course (20) (Semester 1)
BSX-2035: Local Field Trip (20) (Semester 1 + 2)
BSX-2036: Florida 2 Field Trip (20) (Semester 2)
BSX-2037: Spain Field Course (20) (Semester 2)
BSX-2038: Siberia Field Course (20) (Semester 1)
BSX-2041: Introduction to Ornithology (20) (Semester 2)
BSX-2042: Introduction to Primatology (20) (Semester 1)
BSX-2018 is a pre-requsite for BNS-3004. BSX-2022 is a pre-requisite for BSX-3144. You may choose EITHER DXX2003 OR DXX2009, but not both.
Year 3 Modules
Compulsory Modules
Semester 1
BSX-3070: Dissertation in Biological Sci (30) or
BSC-3070: Traethawd Hir (30)
BSX-3071: Science & Employability Skills (10) or
BSC-3071: Sgiliau Gwyddoniaeth a Gwaith (10)
Semester 2
BSX-3070: Dissertation in Biological Sci or
BSC-3070: Traethawd Hir
BSX-3071: Science & Employability Skills or
BSC-3071: Sgiliau Gwyddoniaeth a Gwaith
BSX-3158: Advances in Herpetology (20) Core
Optional Modules
60 credits from:
BNS-3003: Freshwater Ecosystems 2 (20) (Semester 1)
BNS-3004: Advances in Behaviour (20) (Semester 1)
BSX-3139: Molecular Ecology & Evolution (20) (Semester 1)
BSX-3144: Animal Survival Strategies (20) (Semester 2)
BSX-3150: Life in a Changing Climate (20) (Semester 2)
BSX-3152: Life in Wetlands (20) (Semester 2)
BSX-3153: Primatology (20) (Semester 1)
BSX-3154: Attack and Defence in Plants (20) (Semester 2)
BSX-3157: Ornithology (20) (Semester 1)
BSX-3159: Parasites & Pathogens (Yr3) (20) (Semester 1)
BSX-3161: Human Evolutionary Biology (20) (Semester 2)
BSX-3164: Animal Management (20) (Semester 2)
BSX-3167: Insect Behaviour & Evolution (20) (Semester 2)
Please select an even spread of modules across both semesters.
Herpetologists work mostly in government or non-governmental organisations, ecological consultancy and zoological institutes as well as Universities. A range of career paths is available within these organisations, including research, conservation breeding, wildlife monitoring and assessment, implementation of conservation management plans and evolutionary biology.
Employability and the School of Natural Sciences
As a graduate with a good degree from the School of Natural Sciences, a variety of careers will be open to you. There are careers for which a Biological Sciences degree is essential, and careers for which Biological Sciences provides a useful base.
In addition, there are careers open to graduates and postgraduates from any discipline. These include, for example, careers in management training, accountancy, teaching, nursing, social work, the police and the armed forces. However, employers are usually looking for general or transferable skills, and a Biological Sciences degree arguably provides a unique combination of these.
Find out more on the School's 'Careers for our graduates' pages.
Opportunities at Bangor
The University’s Skills and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. Developing your personal skills and enhancing your employability while at university is becoming increasingly important in today’s job market.
Insurance – Single: 300 GBP per year
