Biological Conservation (Joint Honours)

Three years full-time or flexible part-time over a longer period.

This course will enable students to acquire a range of skills appropriate for ecological investigations and to promote effective skills for obtaining, handling and communicating information. Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of the scientific process and methods of inquiry appropriate to ecological investigations, along with the values and attitudes needed for work in a scientific discipline.

The course offers opportunities to develop particular interests in wildlife conservation, biodiversity assessment and habitat management. An important feature of the course is the emphasis on field and practical activities.

Ecology, the science that considers relationships between living organisms and the environment they inhabit - forms the basis of the course. Themes related to how human-induced changes to the environment have consequences for the conservation of species are explored. Students study habitats and how they are managed, while developing an understanding of the skills necessary for evaluating and managing land for its potential nature conservation value.

Field and lab-based activity is an important component of the course. Avenue Campus has a nature reserve and there are also excellent habitats nearby that are used for practical work.

Stage one

Students are introduced to a range of basic concepts and theories relating to ecology and biodiversity, such as limits to distribution, population ecology, species, interactions, and taxonomy and classification of organisms.

Stage two

Themes are developed in relation to the ecology and management of a range of terrestrial and aquatic habitats.

Stage three

The emphasis is on applied aspects of ecology with the focus on conservation.

• Avenue Campus has a nature reserve and ready access to various habitats
• Fieldwork in the UK and overseas
• The course uses a fully-equipped modern laboratory for practical work such as identifying organisms

• Biodiversity and Conservation
• Habitat Ecology and Management
• Introduction to Biodiversity
• Introduction to Ecology
• Landscape and Restoration Ecology

A wide range of assessment is used including reports, oral presentations, field reports and time-constrained tests.

The mix of practical and academic study provides a firm foundation for careers in the private, public or voluntary sectors in wildlife conservation and managing the natural environment. Recent graduates have found employment in conservation and land management or have gone on to further study.