Study animals in this free online course that covers the behaviour and biology of various members of the animal kingdom.

The field of zoology is vast and provides a fascinating exploration of the animal kingdom. This zoology course traces the origin and evolution of different species and lays out the classification system used to separate animals into various types. We examine other important processes like adaptation, reproduction and the meeting of nutritional needs. We begin by defining ‘zoology’ as an academic field and lay out its subdisciplines and classifications while describing the role played by zoologists.

The course then examines the origins of life, the Precambrian era and the evolution of species over time as a result of natural selection. Every animal has its own set of needs when it comes to environmental adaptation and we discuss these needs in detail. The course then discusses the diversity of animal life. We compare the two modes of animal reproduction and explain which animals adopt each while comparing their advantages and disadvantages.

We explore the diverse interactions between animals and their surroundings to help you understand how animal behaviour both reflects and affects their natural environment. Finally, we identify the nutritional needs and food habits of animals from different species and describe the strategies they use to get food. This zoology course suits anyone who wants to study animals, particularly science students. Sign up to explore the animal kingdom.