FdSc Ecology and Conservation Management (FT)

Foundation degree

In ((Indicate))

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Foundation degree

Course Description: The following course, offered by Myserscought, will help you improve your skills and achieve your professional goals. During the program you will study different subjects which are deemed to be useful for those who want to enhance their professional career. Sign up for more information!

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Subjects

  • IT
  • IT Management
  • Management
  • Conservation
  • Ecology

Course programme

FdSc Ecology and Conservation Management
  • Key Information
  • Course Content
  • Additional Information
  • How to Apply

Course Description: This Foundation Degree, awarded by the University of Central Lancashire, has been designed for students wishing to undertake a Higher Education course with an industry focus. There is a steady demand within the conservation and environmental sector, particularly for ecological surveyors, because environmental legislation stipulates that environmental impact assessments have to be undertaken in an increasing number of situations. As a result of this, one of the major aims of the course is to equip students with identification, survey and data handling skills needed for this sort of work. Other career opportunities for Ecology and Conservation Management students include reserve managers, education officers, countryside rangers and advisers on land management. The Foundation Degree is designed to equip you with a range of skills needed for these career paths.

COURSE CONTENT:

Year 1

Work Skills Development

This module provides students with first-hand experience where students will use their industry environment to develop practical and technical skills. Students will record and reflect on their own personal development during the module.

Plant and Animal Identification

Identification of plants and animals is key to being an effective ecologist / countryside manager. It is designed to give the student a grounding in identification of key plant and animal species. It will extend this knowledge to include which plants indicate key habitats in the UK.

Behaviour of British Wild Mammals

The module will examine the diversity of feeding strategies, social behaviours and reproductive strategies employed by mammals. The need for conservation of endangered species will be explored. The module will also incorporate studies of mammals through field signs.

Essential Soil Science (half module)

The main aim of this module is to develop knowledge and understanding of the principles of soil science with specific focus on the relationship between soil properties and plant growth and development.

Essential Plant Biology (half module)

This module aims to provide students with the essential knowledge of plant biology needed to allow successful management of their growth and development. Students will discover how plant form and function relates to their basic needs in terms of light, water, nutrients and reproduction.

UK Agriculture

Students will investigate the systems used for agricultural livestock and crop production and the support mechanisms that are in place for UK farmers. The market trends for each sector will be analysed to determine its contribution to the UK economy.

Wetland Management (half module)

This provides an introduction to the diversity of freshwater and wetland habitats such as rivers, ponds, lakes, peatlands and man-made wetlands. Also covered are some of the management techniques used to restore or re-create wetlands and monitor pollution levels.

Principles of Ecology (half module)

Introduction to a range of the evidence for man-made climate change and some of the possible impacts on biodiversity. In addition, students will be introduced to the ecological principles of competition, predation, population dynamics, plant strategies and landscape ecology.

Year 2

Work Project

This module applies the practical, technical and personal skills developed in the Work Skills Development module. It will utilise a structured work environment for students to identify a suitable project, develop and manage the project and report on the outcomes. Students will be encouraged to use the work project to develop professional working relationships and identify their chosen career options.

Tree and Woodland Management

This module considers how trees and woodlands may be best managed to deal with the many factors that affect them. Students will learn to assess trees and woodland as environmental, social and economic assets, as well as developing the decision making skills needed to manage conflicting uses and opinions.

Ecological Survey Techniques

Field techniques used to survey birds, vegetation, amphibians, butterflies and other invertebrates. In addition, students will be given an overview of the legislation and methodology behind Environmental Impact Assessments.

Farmland Ecology

This module investigates some of the impacts of recent changes in farming practice (in the UK) on plants and animals living in agricultural habitats such as moorland, upland rough grazing, lowland pastures, silage, crops and field margins. Strategies for the conservation of farmland biodiversity are also investigated.

Grassland Ecology (half module)

This module gives students an understanding of the diversity of semi-natural grasslands in the UK and possible strategies for their conservation.

Geographical Information Systems (half module)

This module provides an introduction to the techniques used to store and analyse geographical and ecological data.

Business and Entrepreneurism (option module)

This module will evaluate entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial process to develop students’ business planning skills. This includes marketing and finance in order to aid the formulation of sustainable and enterprising business plans.

OR

Research Methods (option module)

Experimental design and data analysis are core themes in this module. It will introduce concepts of statistical testing and further develop skills in presenting and interpreting results of scientific investigations. The module will give students vital skills in formulating research questions and designing an effective experiment.

Assessment:

Students will face a variety of assessments including survey reports, management plans, essays, exams, group and individual presentations, individual study projects and case studies based on work experience.

Links with Professional Body:

Students will be encouraged to form links with local and national environmental organisations such as the National Trust, The Wildlife Trusts, Local Authorities, National Parks and AONBs, River Conservation Trusts and Ecological Consultants.

Detailed Course Content

Student Handbook (2015 Entry)

Programme Specification and Handbook (2016 Entry)

Myerscough College Policies and Procedures

Assessment: Students will face a variety of assessments including survey reports, management plans, essays, exams, group and individual presentations, individual study projects and case studies based on work experience. Links with Professional Body: Students will be encouraged to form links with local and national environmental organisations such as the National Trust, The Wildlife Trusts, Local Authorities, National Parks and AONBs, River Conservation Trusts and Ecological Consultants.

Extra Costs:


Additional costs that are essential for the course include:


Field Trips and Visits - £150


Waterproofs - £80


Additional costs for opportunities and items that are optional for this course include:


Binoculars - £150


Learning Environment:


Learning activities on the course are diverse, including lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, site visits (including a one week field trip) and workshops. This course makes the most of the diverse range of habitats and farmland found in the NW of England and our contact with various environmental organisations. Students will be expected to undertake extensive independent study and research to support lectures, site visits and assessments. Students will also have access to Myerscough's virtual learning environment.


Other Opportunities:


The College has excellent links with a range of local environmental organisations and students will be provided with opportunities to visit and develop working relationships with these organisations.


Additional Information:


The course has a one week, non-residential field trip (usually the last week in June) during which students will meet on a daily basis at College and will visit a range of habitats (including protected sites and nature reserves) in NW England and N Wales. This will be an opportunity to see and identify a wide range of plants and animals found in this part of the world.


What do students think about this course?


Results from the National Student Survey 2013:



  • 95% of students reported that staff are good at explaining things, are enthusiastic about teaching and made the course intellectually stimulating


Work Experience:


Students will use a relevant work environment to develop practical and technical skills and will be encouraged to record and reflect on their own personal development during the course. Awareness of the wider issues affecting the industry sector will be developed through supporting theory lectures. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to develop professional working relationships with local environmental organisations in the charity, public or private sectors. There is no formal industrial placement on this course.


What are our graduates doing now?


Over the past few years, graduated have found work with the following:


Various local ecological consultants working particularly on amphibian and bat surveys


Local Authority ranger or countryside services


RSPB and the Lancashire Wildlife Trust


What international opportunities are available?


Students are fully supported and encouraged to undertake work experience abroad in the summer between Years One and Two.


Progression:


Successful students will be able to progress onto the BSc (Hons) Rural Resource Management (Top-up) run here at Myerscough College.


What careers can you follow:


Examples include Wildlife Ranger, Nature Reserve Warden, Ecological Surveyor, Farm Conservation Advisor, Education Officer and Fisheries Manager.


Many job opportunities exist within the conservation and commercial sectors, and potential employers include the RSPB, the British Trust for Ornithology, the Environment Agency, Local Authorities, local wildlife trusts and private consultancy. The College has excellent links with the Wyre Borough Countryside Service, The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside, RSPB and Local Environmental consultants.




Applications for all full-time undergraduate courses are made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). To apply, visit their website www.ucas.com/apply. The first UCAS deadline for receipt of applications is 15 January, for the following September.

Applications received after the first UCAS deadline will be considered by us for most courses. If you are applying after the 15 January, or if your pre-entry qualifications are different to those stated, you are advised to contact Course Enquiries on 01995 642211 for further advice. Myerscough College - general contact details Address: Myerscough College, St Michael's Road, Bilsborrow, Preston
Lancashire PR3 0RY
Telephone:01995 642222 Email: enquiries@myerscough.ac.uk Individual Learning Requirements Prospective students who have a learning difficulty or disability that may affect their studies should inform the College as soon as possible so that reasonable adjustments can be initiated, as appropriate. Where necessary students will be asked for evidence to help identify appropriate adjustments. If students wish to apply for a Disabled Student Allowance they need to seek advice from Student Finance England (or equivalent) which funds this provision for Higher Education Students. Please note that DSA funding is not available on all courses.

Please note that the information provided in this fact sheet was accurate at the date of publication. However, courses are continually being modified and information is therefore subject to change.

FdSc Ecology and Conservation Management (FT)

Price on request