Animal Biology and Conservation

• Award design captures current developments in conservation biology

• Our own nature reserve adjacent to the campus for fieldwork

• Professional work placements and career planning

This award is designed for anyone who is fascinated by the ecology and behaviour of animals. By the end of the course you will not only be trained in animal surveying and identification techniques but will have developed an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the requirements needed to implement positive conservation measures to protect our fauna for future generations.

Level 1 covers a broad underpinning of material including ecology, evolution, the diversity of life and environmental issues to provide a balanced view of the subject area. You will also follow a programme of practical work and workshop activities designed to help you understand and become proficient in the key areas ranging from fieldwork sampling to the use of computers for analysis.

Your core topics at Level 2 build upon your Level 1 helping you develop an in-depth knowledge base covering British wildlife, marine biology, wildlife crime and field biology skills. Optional modules include animal behaviour and wildlife disease and in Research skills and professional development provides an essential step in your growth as an independent researcher and fundamentally underpins your Level 3 project and work placement.

At Level 3 the emphasis is on developing your academic expertise and professional skills in conservation, managing habitats for wildlife and animal and plant ID skills. Optional modules available to you include animal behaviour, nature reserve management and advanced DNA profiling. Your project allows you to develop not only your practical skills but also experimental planning and data interpretation whilst you research in an area of your own particular interest and focused on your future career. Projects undertaken previously have included studies on bats, coral reefs, sea slugs and amphibians.

Practical skills are an essential component of this award and having our own river and wetland reserve on campus provides an invaluable educational resource. There is a UK-based marine zoology field course and we offer the opportunity for you to gain academic credits overseas whilst working as an animal researcher.

Level 1
Core modules: Bioskills; Ecology; Genes and Genomes; Environmental Issues; Diversity of Life. Disease
Optional modules: Landscapes of Britain; Foundations of the Landscape

Level 2
Core modules: Field Biology; Ecology of Habitats; British Wildlife; Marine zoology; Wildlife Crime; Research Skills and Professional Development
Optional Modules: Wildlife Disease; Applied Genetics; Coastal Zone Management; Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Level 3
Core modules: Project; Managing Habitats for Wildlife; Work Placement; Animal & Plant ID Skills; Conservation Biology
Optional modules: Animal Behaviour; Advanced DNA Profiling; Planning for Climate Change; Climate and Environmental Change

The skills and knowledge gained on the course are highly relevant to a number of careers in the area of wildlife management and conservation. Many of our graduates find employment with conservation bodies or in the private sector working as consultants in animal ecology. Many go on to research positions or enrol on one of our specialist Conservation and Management masters programmes.

• Biology
• Environment and Sustainability
• Forensic Biology

For more information about Animal Biology and Conservation (CD13) please contact: