2024/25 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BSc Ecology and Conservation Biology

Total credits: 360

Entry requirements:

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:

School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

Biosciences, interpreted and expressed by the School.

Programme specification:

The information on this page is accurate for students entering the programme in 2023/2024 or before. For students entering the programme from September 2024 or after, you can find the details of your programme:

BSc Ecology and Conservation Biology (For students entering from September 2024 onwards)

The BSc Ecology and Conservation Biology programme offers you the opportunity to develop cutting-edge knowledge about how to sustain and conserve biodiversity, and the critical importance of the underlying ecological processes involved. Informed by a research-based ethos of teaching and investigation, you will continuously develop your skills and experience in ecology and conservation. You will combine the fundamentals, which are developed progressively in lectures and tutorials, with lab-based observation and experimentation, and apply that knowledge during residential field courses in different ecological contexts. You will learn, for example, how to measure the distribution and abundance of species, and understand how organisms interact with each other and their environment. As your knowledge and experience develops during the programme, you will be challenged to think creatively about the application of ecology and conservation to contemporary global challenges, such as population management, sustainable agriculture, and reducing the effects of climate change on the natural world.
In addition to the core ecology and conservation modules the programme offers, you can personalise your degree by studying from a wide choice of optional modules that include animal behaviour, evolution, climate change science, and sustainability. This 3-year BSc can also be converted into an integrated Masters (MBiol) with an optional additional year of specialist training.
Year 1
You will study a wide range of topics, including ecology, biodiversity, evolution and genetics. Choose modules such as creating sustainable futures and vertebrate evolution to broaden your ecological perspective.
Topics in ecology and conservation are best understood through observation and practical experience so you’ll explore practical skills in the lab and field, and undertake the first of the residential field courses we offer. Through small group tutorials, you’ll be introduced to ecological and conservation research and its application to global challenges.
At the end of year 1, our flexible degree structure offers you the opportunity to transfer onto other suitable degree courses within the School of Biology.
Year 2
You’ll specialise in key ecological and conservation issues through studying core modules such as population, community and conservation ecology, and build on your skills as scientists through studying experimental design and data analysis.
These core modules will be complemented during two field courses, which will further develop your fieldwork skills. You will study the unique ecology of semi-arid environments of the Mediterranean in southern Spain, while the Urban ecology and conservation field course, designed with a sustainable, low carbon footprint, will introduce you to urban green spaces and the value of biodiversity in building sustainable cities. During these field courses, you’ll be putting your ecological knowledge into practice.
You can tailor your degree by choosing optional modules that you are passionate about. Examples of optional modules include Evolution, Adaptation and Behaviour, which will investigate how organisms behave with each other and respond to challenging environments, while in Sustainable Food Production you will examine the issues around food insecurity, a key global challenge. In the Managing Biodiversity module, you can also examine the threats to biodiversity and the practical steps taken to halt their losses.
At the end of year 2, you will have the opportunity to complete a work pla cement, study abroad, or combined study and work abroad. This will add an additional year of study to your degree.
Year 3
You will further specialise in your chosen discipline by studying core modules, such as Advanced Topics in Ecology and Advanced Topics in Conservation, while you can choose optional modules that include Advanced Topics in Behaviour, and Environmental Law.
You will conduct an independent research project that you choose from a wide range of topics, reflecting the breadth of research undertaken and the expertise of the lecturers on your course. Projects can be laboratory-based, field research, data analysis or literature-based investigations. The choice of project topics include animal behavioural ecology, marine conservation and pollination ecology, and you’ll receive dedicated supervision from a leading expert in the area.
This 3-year BSc can also be converted into a 4-year integrated Masters (MBiol), subject to suitable academic performance and availability. In years 3 and 4 you would receive additional specialist training, study advanced research topics and undertake your own extended research project.

Year1 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 30 or 40 credits from the following optional modules:

Discovery modules:

Candidates may choose to study 10 credits of discovery modules

Year2 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Candidates will be required to study 120 credits

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 30-40 credits from the following optional modules:

Discovery modules:

Candidates may study up to 10 credits of discovery modules

Year3 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Candidates will be required to study 120 credits

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Discovery modules:

Candidates may study up to 10 credits of discovery modules

Last updated: 27/09/2024 10:47:57

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• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

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