Questions and answers

All your education questions answered by Brian Mooney

I recently completed my CAO form and have applied for science in a number of universities. I did this on the advice of my guidance counsellor, following my indication to her that I have had a lifelong interest in animals, and would like to keep open the possibility of working with animals after I graduate. She indicated that the zoology programmes in a number of science degrees would give me the options of exploring my interest in animals further. My parents are a little concerned regarding my choice of course and the options open to me if I specialise in zoology. I would appreciate your advice.

There are four science degree programmes, available at undergraduate level through the CAO, which will allow you to study zoology as part of your selection of subject for your degree. They are offered by UCD (DN008), Trinity, (TR071), NUI Galway (GY301) and NUI Cork (CK 404). As you have indicated that you hope to study in Dublin, I will confine my answer to the options through UCD and Trinity.

UCD science students get to study zoology in their second year. If you select science in TCD, and wish to study zoology, you will select it as your major subject in third and fourth years. As your guidance counsellor has indicated, you will have to study a broad range of general science subjects, prior to specialising in zoology as you progress through your programme. If you do choose the UCD science degree (DN008) you will study biology, chemistry and mathematics in your first year, and in second year you can combine zoology with another subject.

Popular combinations include environmental biology, botany and microbiology. In third and fourth year you may study zoology as your major subject. A degree in zoology involves a mixture of lectures and practical work. The practical work involves physiological experiments, dissections and field work, such as studying deer behaviour in the Phoenix Park. In third year there is a six-day field course in southern Spain and in fourth year you undertake a research project where you get the chance to work alongside researchers in areas as diverse as animal genetics, freshwater biology or conservation and biodiversity.

Modern zoology deals with all aspects of animals from genetics and cell biology to ecology and animal behaviour. The zoology programme at UCD allows you to choose from a wide range of disciplines, including terrestrial, marine and freshwater biology, evolutionary biology, palaeontology, immunology, ecology, population genetics, developmental biology and zoonotic and other diseases.

Employers of zoology graduates in Ireland include Government departments, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, National Museum, semi-state bodies such as ESB, BIM and the Salmon Research Trust, conservation bodies and a range of medical and veterinary companies.

Dr Martin O'Grady, senior research officer with the Central Fisheries Board is a zoology graduate. He has been designing projects that have invested more than €30 million in river projects over the last decade. Catherine McGuinness is a zoology graduate and works as an education assistant in Dublin Zoo. She explains that similar to you, she chose to study zoology because she always had a fascination for animals, and really enjoyed the diversity of animals she got to study at university - from lobsters to red deer.

Finally, I would like to reassure you and your parents, that your interest in animals and your interest in a degree in zoology is a good choice if you want to work towards the protection of endangered species, the repair of river ecosystems or in understanding the genetics of animal diseases - all challenging tasks for even the highest of achievers.

Brian Mooney is the former president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. E-mail questions to bmooney@irish-times.ie