Within Aberdeen, students are funded within the Aberdeen Research Consortium, the Boyd Orr Centre for Nutrition and from other University schemes, some in partnership with businesses and trusts. The Department has a large and active postgraduate research community and obtains some 10-15 PhD studentships from Research Councils and other sources each year. Research Interests Research students have full access to modern equipment, facilities and funding to attend conferences at home and abroad, and are encouraged to collaborate with other laboratories and undertake field work where appropriate. Each student has an academic adviser, and progress is monitored by the Postgraduate Research Committee. All the major areas of zoology are included in teaching and research, with special expertise and facilities in behaviour, cell biology, ecology, endocrinology, entomology, systematics, evolution and molecular biology, tumour biology, immunobiology, marine and freshwater biology, neurobiology, physiology, parasitology.
Activities embrace pure, applicable and applied studies of invertebrates and vertebrates.
These projects are often of commercial interest and examine concepts for novel methods of pest control. Strong links with the expanding salmon farming industry and scientific exchanges with Europe and North America are an important feature of this work. Molecular techniques are used to resolve ecological questions especially concerning population studies of mammals, birds and insects. The aim of this course is to train students in a range of practical and theoretical skills in ecology and environmental science. The course takes a scientific approach to the exploitation and management of the marine environment and its living resources.