2024/25 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue
BSc Ecology and Conservation Biology
Programme code: | BS-ECOL/CB | UCAS code: | C180 |
---|---|---|---|
Duration: | 3 Years | Method of Attendance: | Full Time |
Programme manager: | Dr Steve Sait | Contact address: | S.M.Sait@leeds.ac.uk |
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
BLGY1128 | Living Planet | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
BLGY1237 | Introduction to Genetics | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
BLGY1300 | Coastal and Upland Habitats Field Course | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
BLGY1307 | Research & Study Skills Level 1 | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
BLGY1327 | Practical Skills for Zoology and Ecology | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Optional modules:
BLGY1141 | Introduction to Cell Biology | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
BLGY1212 | Using Biology to Feed the World | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE1120 | Vertebrate Evolution | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE1181 | Ecology | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE1610 | Introduction to Creating Sustainable Futures | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
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:
BLGY2155 | Population, Community and Conservation Ecology | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
BLGY2265 | Urban Ecology and Conservation Field Course | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
BLGY2297 | Mediterranean Ecology Field Course | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
BLGY2304 | Research and Study Skills Level 2 | 20 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Optional modules:
Candidates will be required to study 30-40 credits from the following optional modules:
BLGY2106 | Parasitology | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
BLGY2164 | How Plants Live | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
BLGY2175 | Human Populations | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
BLGY2220 | Evolution, Adaptation and Behaviour | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
BLGY2225 | Sustainable Food Production | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
FOBS2240 | Skills in Communicating Research beyond the University | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE2160 | Climate Change: Science and Impacts | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE2690 | Managing Biodiversity | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
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:
BLGY3133 | Advanced Topics in Ecology | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
BLGY3247 | Advanced Topics in Conservation Science | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
BLGY3345 | Biology Integrated Research Projects | 40 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Optional modules:
BLGY3135 | Advanced Topics in Behaviour: from sex to death Pre-requisite for: BLGY2222 | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
BLGY3173 | Plant Growth, Resources and Food Security | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
BLGY3222 | Social Biology | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
BLGY3245 | Advanced Topics in Evolution Pre-requisite for: BLGY2223 | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
BLGY3300 | Level 3 Field Course (South Africa) | 20 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
LAW3134 | Environmental Law | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
SOEE3112 | Environmental Risk: Science, Policy and Management | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Discovery modules:
Candidates may study up to 10 credits of discovery modules
Last updated: 25/07/2024 16:23:37
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD