We share the planet with over 1 million described species of animals with many, many more awaiting discovery. The vast panorama of animal life, how animals function, live, reproduce, and interact with their environment, is exciting, fascinating, and awe inspiring. Members of the animal kingdom are among the most conspicuous living things in the world and as members of this kingdom, we have a special interest in its other members, especially those that are evolutionary closely related to us. Zoology is the scientific study of animal life and builds on centuries of human inquiry into the animal world, its origins and relationships.
Animals are highly diverse.
It is this diversity that forms the subject matter of this subject. We then start a journey of discovery by exploring the diversity of animal life and organising it in a systematic way using their evolutionary history and by examining and relating their structure with function. By the end of this journey you will be familiar with the major groups of animals, their similarities and differences, and the evolutionary pathways that resulted in the current numbers and variety of animal species. A real appreciation of animal diversity can only be achieved through first-hand experience in the laboratory. During your practical classes you will examine all the major groups of animals, starting with the most structurally simple and finishing with birds and mammals, many of which are seen live, swimming and feeding in the large marine water table and aquaria.