Liv
Faculty: Science and Engineering
School: Life Sciences
Course:
BSc (Hons) Zoology
Category: Animal sciences
31 July 2020
One of the most inviting aspects of studying zoology are the field trips offered. Zoologists need practical skills, field skills to support all the theory they learn during their studies. Therefore, for ARU to produce successful zoologists, they provide every aspect of the skills needed through field trips and travel experiences.
Potential trips include: Isle of Rum field trip, International Diving trip, Netherlands Zoo Trip, Uganda two-week field, and North Devon week-long field trip. The Zoology lecturers particularly love the North Devon field trip as it’s a chance to study rock pools, wild goats and song birds, native to the UK.
During first year, I also went on plenty of field trips with the university. We went to Horsey to count grey seal pups, mothers and bulls, whilst also carrying out a pup checking exercise. The pups were SO cute. Also, it was great fun being out with my friends in a different learning environment. It was a super windy and rainy day, but despite the cold weather and being a bit uncomfortable on the coach back due to having sand in every crevice, it was a great trip.
First year of study also included plenty of trips to the Cambridge University Botanical Gardens and to the Zoology museum. On specific occasions we wandered around with the lecturers whilst they spoke a bit about particular areas that interested them.
My classmates who were fortunate enough to go on the Isle of Rum Field Trip said what a fantastic time they had. They all came back with some great memories and closer friendships.
Accommodation was very clean and beautifully located by the water. Each day offered something new from looking for fungi, beach walking, bat monitoring, view of the beautiful house, and a fantastic day hiking to watch the deer ruts. We were provided with excellent talks and it was great to get to know other students. It is a small island, with so much to offer no matter what your interests are and worth the long coach journey. But be prepared to have no internet.
Antlerless Red Deer Stag. Photo taken by Harry Bolton.
Spy Hut. Photo taken by Georgia Gooding.
Red Deer Stag. Photo taken by Georgia Gooding.
The international diving trip is a great opportunity to explore and gain the PADI Open Water certificate:
I enjoyed the final day of the diving trip the most, once I had completed my PADI OW certificate. I was able to do a free dive with my friend, and later that day go on a hike along the island. That way I experienced both the underwater and the terrestrial wildlife of Lanzarote, Canary Islands.
Where to find more information:
Disclaimer
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