This BSc in Animal Behaviour is your opportunity to engage with the scientific study of animal behaviour through analysing its causation, development, evolution and function. This course provides perfect training for anyone interested in managing and improving the welfare of domestic, farmed or experimental animals. The first year of this course will provide you with a solid foundation in Animal biology. As you study topics like genetics, animal diversity, metabolism and anatomy (among many others), this course will help you hone your scientific practice and train you in research and communication skills. As you progress in your second and third years, you will have the opportunity to study fascinating topics such as Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Brains and Behaviour and Advanced Animal Behaviour. In your final year, you will take the Animal Behaviour Field Course, which is a residential course based away from Aberystwyth. This will give you valuable hands-on experience of handling mammals, birds and insects in the context of behavioural research. You may also choose the Work Experience module, which will give you in excess of 50 hours of valuable experience in a functioning business or institution relevant to your degree. This course is delivered by our Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), which is an internationally-recognised centre of excellence and an award-winning research and teaching centre. Aberystwyth itself is surrounded by a great diversity of beautiful environments. Within a small radius of the university you can view dolphins and seals, seabirds, birds of prey, horses and farm animals. The Institute even boasts an aquarium to enable you to view a diverse population of fish at close range. On this course, you will develop an impressive cache of subject expertise and scientific skills which will be of enormous benefit in any agricultural, zoological or other applied science profession. The course will also prepare you for more general graduate employment, as your practical experience in research, analysis, data handling and reporting will be an enormous asset in any career path you choose.

As a specialist branch of Zoology, your BSc in Animal Behaviour opens up a range of exciting opportunities for employment and further training. You will be a strong candidate for work as an ecologist, conservationist, animal welfare officer, gamekeeper, wildlife researcher or research scientist. Graduates also find work in the media, scientific journalism, teaching and research.