Natural History and Ecology & Conservation

Course overview

This degree delivers a challenging and rewarding course of study in a fascinating and important field. As conservation and ecological issues continue to rise to the top of the public agenda, it is also a highly relevant topic.

Our course in Natural History was the first of its kind in the UK. It was designed to bring together taxonomic and observational skills - in the way that was so effectively utilised by earlier generations of natural historians like Gilbert White and even Charles Darwin. Darwin wrote of his days in Cambridge when learning about beetles, 'No pursuit at Cambridge was followed with nearly so much eagerness or gave me so much pleasure as collecting beetles... I can remember the exact appearance of certain posts, old trees and banks where I made a good capture'.

The Ecology & Conservation course combines the increasingly important scientific disciplines of ecology and conservation biology. The 'Ecology' provides the theoretical background to the understanding of species, communities, habitats and ecosystems. The question of how to apply that knowledge to maintain habitats, populations and biodiversity comes under the heading of 'Conservation'. Central to the programme is training in the field methods used by working conservationists.

You will study the changing UK countryside. The diversity of habitats around Cambridge provides the opportunity to study fens, heaths, coastal habitat, and woodlands as well as conservation on farmland. Field trips provide opportunities for visits to other habitat types such as moorland and rocky shores.

Module guide

Year one core modules

• Biomeasurement
• Core Biology
• Ecology
• British Wildlife and Conservation
• Plant Life

Year two core modules

• Preparation for Research
• BioGIS
• Practical Biology
• Practical Biodiversity
• Communities & Ecosystems

Year three core modules

• Countryside Management
• Undergraduate Project
• Biogeography
• Biological Conservation

Year one optional modules

• Introduction to Animal Behaviour & Welfare
• Animal Form & Function
• Animal Behaviour in Context
• Introduction to Marine Biology
• English for Study I and II

Year two optional modules

• Biological Oceanography
• Animal Ecophysiology
• Invertebrate Biology
• Parasitology
• Concepts in Animal Behaviour
• Vertebrate Biology
• Applied Ethology and Animal Welfare
• Tropical Ecology & Management
• Photography and Broadcasting in Natural History

Year three optional modules

• Mammalogy
• Biogeography
• Behavioural Ecology
• Population Ecology & Wildlife Management
• Coastal Marine Biology
• Behaviour of Marine Animals
• Wildlife Management & Conservation
• Advanced Topics in Behavioural Ecology
• Practical Marine Biology
• Behaviour and Management of Zoo Animals

Assessment

Modules are assessed in a variety of ways. Most are a mix of written assessments, computer-based assessments and written examinations. Additional methods of assessment may include spoken presentations, posters, portfolios and workbooks. Generally, written examinations have a higher weighting in Year 3, but all modules include a coursework component.