MSc Zoology in NUIG

shgavman

I'm a B.Eng granduate from NUIG (2008) but I'm really considering going back to study zoology just because it interests me more than engineering ever did.

Anyone have anything to say about the course (Lectures/lecturers/class size/exams). I'm a little hesitant because I'm coming from an unrelated discipline.

Thanks!

steel_spine

Do you mean the BSc Zoology that you get via the Undenominated Science route or an MSc? I ask because there is no taught masters in zoology at NUIG, so there won't be lectures etc. It's a research masters, so you'd need to see what areas the staff work in, have a chat with the staff, find out if they're able to take you on and have a project you're interested in. It's usually more of a lead-up to a Phd project.

http://www.nuigalway.ie/zoology/staff.html

To be honest though, I'm not sure that I can see jumping into a research masters with no background in zoology working out too well.

I know UCC do a taught masters in Marine Biology, UCD do Evolutionary Biology and Trinity do Biodiversity and Conservation, but you may find those hard to get onto without a relevant bachelors.

shgavman

Thanks for that reply steel-spine. You certainly clarified a big issue. I had meant the MSc - I hadn't realised that it wasn't a taught course. Research courses often take 2 years which I don't really have to spare.

I wrote to a few of the staff members so we'll see if any of them get back to me. Thanks for the link and the opinion.

I may be just a tad deluded.

steel_spine

You're not deluded. I didn't start off studying zoology either - I came in as a mature student. However, I do think it would be fairly brutal if possible to leap into an MSc as the subject covers so much. As a taught masters it may be doable, but a research one you're going to be less directed and expected to have some knowledge.

A lot of the lecturers are mad busy and away on a lot of research cruises etc since it's the summer - so don't be disheartened if you don't get a swift reply from all of them.

shgavman

Ah interesting. I'd be going mature student route too. Good talking to someone that has done it so thanks again for the info.

So did you go for the Undenominated science route or did you do one of those taught courses you mentioned above?

steel_spine

I've just finished the denominated BSc in Marine Science, with a focus on Zoology (Same lectures as undenom for the first 3 years, and I did a zoo project in final year, so I only missed the 4th year zoo lectures).
Truth be told though, if I got to choose all over again, I'd go for zoology via undenominated, or go somewhere with a denominated zoology course, though signs are that the marine degree will be improving in the coming years.
I intend to travel a bit next year rather than go straight into an MSc or Phd - I have itchy feet, and I just hit the age where visas get increasingly hard to get.

I have heard that the Marine Bio masters in Cork is excellent, with great chance of employment, but it's just too expensive for me now that postgrad funding is up the creek.

shgavman

Yeah, it's unfortunate that there isn't something denominated in Zoology. I would have thought the subject was sufficiently large! There are broad areas of marine science that I covered in Engineering (stats, maths, phys, chem, geology) and others that outright don't appeal to me.

Thanks for all your help on it Steel Spine. Best of luck in the travels. I'm back a little while from Colombia/Ecuador (17 months). Both very good for treatment of itchy feet. Visas are pimpsy for those kind of countries. Just turn up!

It was toying with a cactus called San Pedro in Ecuador that I had my 'I need to dedicate my life to the study of other life' epiphany. I'd almost consider courses in Botany, Mycology and Microbiology too but I think I have a bias towards zoology.