Zoology – B.Sc. (General) Degree Program
Duration: 3 Years
For whom?
Students from biological sciences streams who are interested in pursuing careers in Zoology
Career opportunities
Sri Lanka is at heart a nation with a rich endemic biodiversity. In order to harness the potential of our island nation in biodiversity, it is important that a pool of talent is developed who are equipped with specialist and applied knowledge in Zoology. Simultaneously, Sri Lanka is a nation harboring a host of tropical communicable and deficiency diseases, which mandatorily necessitates a workforce equipped with applied scientific knowledge to undertake surveillance, research and extension activities associated with the distribution of such debilitation conditions. Therefore, by the provision of skilled graduates in contemporary Zoology, the department contributes towards national development and the up liftment of communities through its alumni. The scope in Zoology is reasonably broad in its spectrum of employment opportunities with prospects of joining government ministries, private organizations, universities and education providers, hospitals, museums, secondary schools, consultancy firms as well as providing opportunity for entrepreneurship.
Course overview
The subject Zoology aims to provide a holistic learning environment in contemporary Zoology as a blend of specialist knowledge and applied laboratory and field studies, to ensure the all round development of a student to suite the 21ot century aspirations of our island nation. As a result, course units which are part of the modern learning environment imparted by the Department of Zoology include Limnology. Molecular Biology. Genetics, Nutrition, Wildlife and Conservation of Biodiversity, Microbial Ecology, Insect Pest Management, Fisheries and Aquaculture and Environmental Toxicology.
Outside of the key subject areas, students are equipped with communication and problem solving skills, team work and perseverance and leadership qualities to ensure their career readiness to secure a future within the 21ot century workforce.
Course structure
The subject Zoology will contribute one third of the B.Sc. (General) degree program within the framework of a permitted subject combination. Students are required to take course units equaling or exceeding a cumulative credit value of 27.0 points. Course units are classified as compulsory, core and optional course units and the course units are designed to provide the student with specialist knowledge and skills required in contemporary Zoology.
Zoology – B.Sc. (Special) Degree Program
Duration: 4 Years
Career opportunities
The career opportunities available for graduates of the Special Degree Program in Zoology. will be centered on academia, government ministries, consultancy firms and as well as practicing their trade as researchers at a diverse range of hierarchical positions undertaking in depth studies on contemporary research topics with the objectives of bridging gaps in knowledge and deciphering cryptic areas of fundamental Zoology.
Course overview
The B.Sc. (Special) Degree in Zoology aims to prepare a new breed of experts with marketable and transferable skills in contemporary applied Zoology. As the degree programme imparts a higher level of specialist knowledge and practical training, the Special Degree program is ideally suited for students with aspirations for graduate studies and further research training.
The core strengths of the Special Degree Programme are the coverage of specialist knowledge, both in-depth and with a wide spectrum of horizontal topics, the provision of a higher degree of practical skills which are transferable beyond the learning environment, higher levels of analytical and communication skills and in whole, a well-rounded education program suited for research endeavors or higher studies under specialist topics. The final year research project is of core significance to the Special Degree Programme which advances a student’s capacity to undertake research endeavors, develops core analytical skills, expand communication, networking and language skills and to pursue careers in academia.
Selection
Selection of students to pursue a Special Degree Programme in Zoology. is based on the student’s performance in the first two years of the academic program and the is limited to a number of 10 students per year.
Instruction and assessment
The impartation of education to students enrolled in General and Special Degree programmes, will be conducted by an eminent group of lecturers, with proven track records in academia and research. The teaching environment within the Department of Zoology consists of lectures, laboratory practicals, field studies and project assignments which ensures the all-round development of students in specialist knowledge and practical training. The modes of assessment include end-of-semester examinations, practical tests, presentations and reports.