The
Department of Biological Sciences, located
at the picturesque Riseholme Park Campus on the northern
outskirts of Lincoln, offers single honours
courses of study across a range of exciting and challenging
science subjects. Excellent links exist between the department,
industry and professional practices, offering many opportunities
for work experience and relevant placements, both in the UK and
abroad. We also have an active programme of research in a
diverse range of fields.
Read about our new Masters programme in Clinical Animal Behaviour
Undergraduate
Programmes
- BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour Science
- BSc (Hons) Animal Welfare and Management
- BSc (Hons) Bioveterinary Sciences
- BSc (Hons) Conservation Biology
- BSc (Hons) Equine Science
- BSc (Hons) Equine Sports Science
Foundation Degrees
- FdSc Animal Management & Enterprise
- FdSc Equine Management & Training
Teaching is based at Riseholme Park and is supported by high quality scientific research and scholarship, so our graduates enter their careers with the latest knowledge in their field.
Postgraduate Programmes
There are opportunities within the Department to attain an MPhil or PhD by following a programme of research. Three main topics are covered in the research programme of the Department. These are:
- Animal behaviour and welfare. Animal science is increasingly concerned with non food domesticated animals, such as horses, dogs and other companion animals
- Conservation biology. Research areas include dispersal in river fish, adder populations and assessing livestock biodiversity.
- Equine science. Research areas include exercise physiology, reproductive biology, and novel approaches to assessing their welfare and psychological state.
- Taught Masters programme: MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour
Research
Research within the Department is focussed within the
Centre for Animal Welfare and Para-veterinary
Sciences, which was established by the University in 2005 in
recognition of the research focus based within the Department of
Biological Sciences. The Centre aims to strengthen our
understanding of biological processes relevant to animal health,
welfare and management by encouraging collaborations that link
genes through to organismal function and welfare, and the impact
of animals on society and social policy. There are two
substantial research groups of international standing within the
Centre.
Animal Behaviour, Cognition and Welfare Group
We study the response of animals to captivity, their mental and perceptual abilities and how this impacts on their welfare.
Current research projects include:
- Impulsivity in dogs.
- Effect of owner expectation on the dog-human bond.
- Neuro-behavioural correlates of stereotypic behaviour in the horse.
- Facial processing in dogs.
- Effect of stress hormones on the behaviour of dogs.
- Environmental needs of domestic pet rabbits.
- Improving the welfare of cats in captivity.
Reproduction & Biodiversity Research Group
We study animal reproduction at the cellular, organismal and population levels and use the insights thus obtained to answer fundamental questions on evolution and to advance the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of genetic resources.
Current research projects include:
- Population dynamics of Chillingham cattle
- Sexual selection in beetles
- Allometry in avian and reptilian eggs
- Bird nest structure and function
- Population studies of smooth newts
- Genetic variability in adder populations