Graduate Bytes

"I have always had a passion for the environment, but never considered a major in Zoology until I realised how ‘hands on' the Zoology school's approach to teaching is.
As an undergrad there is a lot of opportunity to interact with researchers in the lab and in the field, you get to know them whilst you gain real experience in diverse subjects including endocrinology, behaviour, wildlife management and even marine science and antarctic ecology.

Very supportive researchers taught me within the school and motivated me to do honours. Now I am comparing logged and unlogged forest den use by brushtail possums and having the best time ever. I am running my own research project where I spend the majority of my time in the field - trapping, radiotracking and spotlighting fauna. There is no place I would rather be!"

  Lisa Cawthen.

" I loved the fact that my degree at UTAS was so field oriented. I always felt supported and stimulated - in lectures and tutorials, in the lab, and in the field. The opportunity to learn about temperate marine as well as Antarctic zoology at the University of Tasmania is really unique.

  What am I doing now? After completing my Honours in Zoology in 2003, I was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to undertake a PhD at Oxford University in England. My PhD research focuses on changes in coral growth in response to the environment - an important issue with mass bleaching events now affecting coral reefs worldwide."

Jessica Trebilco

I 'm an international student and studied abroad for a semester as an undergraduate in Zoology at UTas. My classes were small and I felt that I really got to know the professors who put in extra time to help me. I loved it so much that I have come back for my Masters degree.The animals we work with are amazing but quite accessible close to the campus.

 

The Zoology staff have a wealth of knowledge and their support has guided me through my time here. I work with brushtail possums in the eucalypt forests comparing the effects of habitat type and habitat disturbance on possum milk composition and physiology. I run my own field-based project where I get up close and personal with animals that I would otherwise NEVER encounter, and am having a blast in the Tasmanian bush!

     Erin Flynn

"The diverse habitats, unique organisms and easy access to amazing field sites make Tasmania an ideal and exciting place to study Zoology, whatever your passion. My interest in the marine environment inspired me to undertake a PhD, studying the ecology of the introduced seaweed Undaria pinnatifida .

I am now working as a postdoctoral research scientist at MRL, studying the interaction between abalone and seaweeds, including the impact of abalone fishing on the marine environment."

Joe Valentine

" I grew up in Tasmania and while I could have gone to an interstate university, I chose to stay here to study Zoology because UTAS offers such a great range of courses.  I am interested in ecology and there are not many places where it is possible to study everything from temperate rainforests and grasslands to Antarctic waters. The lifestyle in Tassie is fantastic and with the wilderness at the backdoor, its an amazing place for recreational actitivites such as sea kayaking and mountain bike riding.

What am I doing now? I did honours in aquatic ecology and after graduating I was able to get a job as a water quality monitoring officer in Northern Tasmania.  I also work for a local environmental consultancy. "

Sarah Tassell

"The diving around Tasmania is always interesting.

I came from Western Australia and completed my undergraduate and Honours degree at UTAS. The people are very approachable and always smiling, and the facilities available for my research are just fantastic. I am now currently undertaking a PhD in Quantitative Marine Science.

I honestly couldn't have picked a better place to combine my fascination for marine science with my love for diving. I have really enjoyed my 5 years at UTAS and I am still awed every time I dive. "

Anthony Reid

"I came from Japan and love nature so much. Tasmania is such a wonderful place because there is a lot of beautiful nature.

I just completed my Honours degree at UTAS studying the activity and behaviour of the Grass skink and enjoyed this project very much. During this project, I encountered many interesting terrestrial wildlife and saw beautiful scenery.

The zoology school people are very friendly and they are nice to international students. I'd really like to study more at UTAS. I'm currently applying for a PhD here."

Keisuke Itonaga

"As a student of environmental science, I've always been interested in all kinds of different ecosystems. The opportunity to visit from Switzerland and undertake a research project on reptiles in Tasmania gave me a completely new perspective and was a great experience in all respects.

People were really friendly and helpful and the island with its magnificent beauty and wilderness is the best outdoor place you could imagine"

Marlies Jahn