Foundation Certificate Countryside Management (PT)

Course

In ((Indicate))

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Course

Learning activities on this course include lectures, seminars, workshops and practical sessions. Students will be expected to undertake extensive independent study and research to support taught sessions. Students will also have access to Myerscough's virtual learning environment.

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Subjects

  • IT
  • Management
  • IT Management

Course programme

Foundation Certificate Countryside Management
  • Key Information
  • Course Content
  • Additional Information
  • How to Apply
Click to Apply: Foundation Certificate Countryside Management

Award Type:

Foundation Certificate

Level:

Undergraduate

Study Modes available:

Part-time

Delivery Method:

Standard

Course length:

Between 18 months and 2 years part-time

UCAS Code:

N/A

Venue:

Myerscough College, Preston

Start Month:

September

Entry Requirements:

120 UCAS Tariff points from one of the following:

· 2 A-levels (at least one at C)

· BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma at PPP

· BTEC Level 3 Diploma at MP

· 2 Scottish Highers at minimum C or above

· 3 Irish Highers at minimum C or above

· NVQ Level 3 in a relevant discipline

· International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points

AS levels and Scottish Intermediate 2s may be used to contribute to entry requirements but they are not sufficient for entry on their own. Alternative equivalent qualifications will also be considered positively.

Consideration will be given to non-traditional qualifications and relevant work experience. Applicants are encouraged to produce evidence of their potential to benefit from the course. Applicants who believe they may be eligible for Accreditation of Prior Certificated and/or Experiential Learning (APCL/APEL) for certain modules will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants who do not hold a Level 3 qualification but have extensive relevant experience may be offered opportunity to undertake a pre-entry assignment to demonstrate ability to study at the required level.

Applicants for whom English is a second language must be able to demonstrate proof of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at level 6.0 (with no component score lower than 5.5) or equivalent.

All offers may be subject to successful interview.

Course Description:

This Foundation Certificate, awarded by the University of Central Lancashire, has been designed for students wishing to undertake a Higher Education course in ecology and conservation management on a part time basis. There is a steady demand within the conservation and environmental sector for people with skills in plant and animal identification and countryside management. As a result of this, one of the aims of the course is, to equip students with identification skills and the countryside management knowledge needed for this sort of work.

The Foundation Certificate consists of six modules, of which a maximum of four can be taken in an academic year, therefore the course will require a minimum of 18 months to complete.

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.

Course Documents:

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 for items that are essential for the course include:


Field Trips and Visits - £150


Waterproofs and Safety Boots - £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.



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. There is no formal industrial placement on this course.



What are our graduates doing now?


Over the past few years, graduates 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 may be able to apply to progress onto the final year of the FdSc Ecology and Conservation Management run here at Myerscough College.



Careers:


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.



You can now APPLY ONLINE using the links on the right

How To Apply

To apply for this course please select the coloured tab, relating to the centre you wish to study at, on the right hand side of this screen. You can save your progress if you prefer to do it in stages but you must complete all sections of the form.

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.

Foundation Certificate Countryside Management (PT)

Price on request