Undergraduate - Area of study Zoology

Animals are of enormous interest to us, perhaps because we are also animals, and understanding the development and evolution of animals helps us understand ourselves. Animals are integral components of natural systems and they also have a major impact on us as pests competing for our food and as parasites. Zoologists study the diversity of animals, their evolution, form, function, behaviour and ecology. They investigate the interactions of animals with plants, which ultimately are the source of nutrients and shelter, and with microbes, which enable many animals to effectively utilise plants as food. They investigate animals as bioindicators of the health of ecosystems.

Research in zoology can be undertaken at the level of the whole animal down to the level of cell biology, biochemical processes and their genetic control. A knowledge of zoology can be used to understand how animals work, how they solve environmental challenges and how they interact with each other. Much of this information is relevant to the management, protection and conservation of animals and provides skills needed in many careers related to these themes. Examples of careers available to students that study zoology include biotechnology, ecological/environmental consulting, government departments (e.g. environment, parks, primary industry and sustainability), animal husbandry and welfare, research and teaching.

Studying zoology at Monash University begins with general biology in first year, where the basics of animal evolution, diversity, structure and function are covered. In second year there is a greater focus on these topics in two units that deal with animal diversity and animal structure and function specifically. In third year we develop this understanding further with units focused on animal behaviour and the biology of Australian vertebrate animals. Other units on evolution, ecology, marine biology and environmental management complement the development of broader understanding of the role and importance of animals in our world.

Learning outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• describe animal diversity and the evolutionary development of the major animal groups, explain how morphology is related to animal function and ecology, how genetic and environmental effects underlie variation in animal behaviour and how foraging, social and reproductive behaviour of animals promotes their survival and reproduction in the environments in which they have evolved
• describe how the diversity and biology of animals is influenced by the history, biogeography and ecology of the biogeographical region
• demonstrate advanced practical skills in experimental methods relevant to the zoological sciences, including animal identification, animal physiology techniques, morphological techniques and quantitative field methods
• integrate and apply principles of experimental design and data collection and interpretation
• demonstrate, in the context of the discipline, the graduate attributes of effective communication, quantitative literacy, information and communication literacy, inquiry and critical thinking, and ethical, social and international understanding
• undertake further study, research and employment in zoology.