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Zoology

Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:21 am
by Nervousmum
Does anyone have any experience of applying for zoology courses? Does anyone know what courses are the best/the worst? Is zoology worth studying? It seems that there are not many jobs for zoologists - has anyone got DC who have been successful in making a career in this area?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Re: Zoology

Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:48 am
by silverysea
It was (VERY) long ago, but I did my first degree in Zoology in a good uni in another country. Near the end of the course my classmates and I were a bit surprised to be targeted by recruiters from very diverse companies, while those doing more specialised degrees were not-apparently we were seen as good all-round candidates for many areas. My classmates went on to do a wide range of postgrad study, jobs and careers, some related to biology some not. This was during a severe recession.

None became zookeepers (a common question back then!).

I think it is a good degree, and interesting so easier to keep the fire lit.

Re: Zoology

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 2:33 pm
by cherryvalley
I'm interested in this as my Y13 son is about to apply for Zoology. I'm not very hopeful of it leading directly to employment, but there is nothing else he has enough interest in. At the moment he plans to apply to Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff, Sheffield and Exeter, but we haven't visited them all yet. The first three have the possibility of a placement year, which he would like to do, but I gather there is a lot of competition. We shall see!

Re: Zoology

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 2:38 pm
by silverysea
I've never regretted it and had (still have) a good career in science. If it intrigues the student, they are more likely to work hard and get a good mark.

Re: Zoology

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 6:16 pm
by solimum
Manchester life sciences degrees with a placement year offer a lot of scope for moving in different specialist directions within a very broad subject area (DD is about to embark on her second year, having drifted sideways from Biochemistry to Pharmacology) . I suspect it's the zoologists that apply for the exotic placements such as working with dolphins in Florida!

Re: Zoology

Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 4:59 pm
by KB
Certainly be worth looking at broader biological courses where Zoology is an area they can specialise in further down the line.
Many aspects of biological sciences at Uni are different/ not studied at A level so something else might also appeal during the first year.