Discipline of Zoology
Research in Zoology
Zoology is part of the School of Environmental and Rural Science, and conducts research within the Centre for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology (BPE). The Centre's goals are to investigate behavioural and physiological adaptations of native Australian animals living in various habitats. The Centre aims to quantify the impact of environmental changes, such as climate change and habitat degradation of woodlands and forests on behavioural and functional adaptations. BPE integrates aspects of foraging ecology, reproductive behaviour, dispersal patterns, thermal biology, stress biology, evolutionary biology, parasitology, and energetics to make predictions of how changes to the current landscape and climate will affect survival of native animals. The Centre fulfils goals of the UNE strategic plan to conduct excellent research by tackling global problems regionally and be known nationally and internationally for its research in environmental science.
The major objectives of the Research Centre are to provide a productive and collaborative research environment for staff and research students of the Centre, and to conduct high quality research and publish findings in high impact journals.
Honours, Masters and PhD projects
Zoology research projects at Honours, Masters and PhD levels are carried out within the Centre for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology. If you are interested in undertaking a higher degree involving research within Zoology, visit the research pages of Zoology Staff listed below and contact them directly to find out about relevant research projects.
A 2012 unit guide for conducting Honours in Zoology can be downloaded here.
Interested students should watch the following vodcast of the 2012 Zoology Information Day Seminar. The seminar aims to explain what Honours is, why students should undertake honours, how to enrol in the unit, and finally, potential projects that Zoology staff have on offer. Students are encouraged to discuss options with staff if they are thinking about studying Honours in Zoology.
Enrolling students will need to complete an ERS enrolment form and submit it to the Zoology Honours coordinator. When enrolling online students will also need to lodge this form. Full details of the enrolment procedure are in the Zoology Honours Unit Guide. Students should contact their potential supervisor or the Honours Coordinator if in need of assistance.
For information on available scholarships visit the ERS scholarships page.
Undergraduate study in Zoology
Zoology is the science of studying and understanding animals living on land, in freshwater or in the sea. It is the branch of biology that covers behaviour, classification, evolution, conservation, distribution, ecology and natural history, but also includes biochemistry and physiology, palaeontology, molecular biology and genetics, and the structure and function of animals.
Our staff have expertise in many fields of zoology and animal ecology. This includes physiology, behaviour and ecology of native animals and how these enable adaptation to the environment: leading to a greater understanding of the structure and function of Australian communities.
Zoology students are able to undertake studies in a range of zoological areas including environmental and comparative physiology, entomology, parasitology, freshwater ecology, animal behaviour, and animal ecology.
UNE is now offering the new Bachelor of Zoology, the only zoology-specific degree in Australia!
For more information about studying Zoology at UNE please visit our Study Zoology page.
Zoology Academic Staff
| Assoc Prof Nigel Andrew Senior Lecturer (Entomology) Zoology |
 P: 02 6773 2937F: 02 6773 3814 E: nigel.andrew@une.edu.au |
| Dr Stuart Cairns Lecturer Zoology |
 P: 02 6773 2170F: 02 6773 3814 E: scairns@une.edu.au |
| Dr Nereda Christian Associate Lecturer Zoology |
P: 02 6773 2338 F: 02 6773 3814 E: nereda.christian@une.edu.au |
| Prof Fritz Geiser Professor Zoology |
 P: 02 6773 2868F: 02 6773 3814 E: fgeiser@une.edu.au |
| Dr Gerhard Koertner Postdoctoral Fellow Zoology |
 P: 02 6773 2262F: 02 6773 3814 E: gkoertne@une.edu.au |
| Dr Tommy Leung Lecturer (Parasitology / Evolutionary Biology) Zoology |
 P: 02 6773 4083F: 02 6773 3814 E: tleung6@une.edu.au |
| Dr Paul McDonald Convenor of Zoology, Lecturer (Animal Behaviour) Zoology |
 P: 02 6773 3317F: 02 6773 3814 E: paul.mcdonald@une.edu.au |
Please contact us if you require further information or assistance:
Zoology
Email zoology@une.edu.au
Phone +61 2 6773 2340
Fax +61 2 6773 3283
Mail Zoology, University of New England, NSW 2351 Australia
or
Convenor of Zoology - Dr Paul McDonald
Email paul.mcdonald@une.edu.au
Phone +61 2 6773 2937
Fax +61 2 6773 3814
Mail Zoology, University of New England, NSW 2351 Australia