Zoology - Research

Candidates for the degree of PhD or MSc by research must have reached a high honours standard (minimum H2.2 [or equivalent international qualification] for an MSc) at the examination for the primary degree or presented such other evidence as will satisfy the Head of School and the College of his/her fitness.

Course Code: MSc (full-time), 1MS1; MSc (part-time), 1MS2



Applications are made online via the NUI Galway Postgraduate Applications System.

Course Code: MSc (full-time), 1MS1; MSc (part-time), 1MS2



MSc, full-time and part-time

Research Areas


Extreme marine environments—Dr Louise Allcock

Dr Allcock works on Extreme marine environments, Antarctica and the deep sea. She is interested particularly in the benthic fauna of submarine canyon systems and is fascinated by cephalopods, especially their evolution.


Jellyfish and other gelatinous zooplankton— Dr Tom Doyle

Dr Doyle uses biotelemetry to document the movement of jellies in the ocean, and also applies these tracking techniques to blue sharks, sea bass, and other ocean predators.


Venom systems in terrestrial arthropods—Dr Michel Dugon

Dr Dugon is interested in the evolution, development and ultrastructure of venom systems in terrestrial arthropods, particularly centipedes and arachnids.


Benthic ecology—Dr Bob Kennedy

Dr Kennedy is a benthic ecologist researching how macrofaunal community structure and behaviour are linked to bioturbation in soft sediments. He uses sediment profile imagery (SPI) to study these processes in situ.


Ecology of invasive species—Dr Colin Lawton

Dr Lawton is a mammal ecologist particularly interested in the ecology of invasive species such as the grey squirrel and the conservation of native species such as the endemic Irish stoat.


Evolution of marine sponges—Dr Grace McCormack

Dr McCormack is an evolutionary biologist currently focusing on the evolution of marine sponges. She is also interested in the causes and spread of diseases including HIV in humans, pathogens and parasites in bees and the adaptive evolution of honeybees.


Freshwater and diadromous fish in Ireland—Dr Kieran McCarthy

Dr McCarthy's research focuses on migratory behaviour and conservation.


Sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and community ecology—Dr Anne Marie Power

Dr Power is interested in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, community ecology and impacts of climate change, and in marine natural products —particularly the potential of barnacles to yield wet-setting glue for medical purposes.