BSc (Hons) Conservation Biology

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll establish a solid foundation in ecology, biodiversity, natural history, taxonomy, genetics, evolution, microbiology, animal and plant physiology, and animal behaviour. You will gain essential practical field skills through local field trips and a residential course in southern Spain. You’ll also begin to develop useful personal and transferable skills through individual and one-to-one meetings with a personal tutor.

Core modules

• BIOL111Z Animal and Plant Physiology

• BIOL119Z Introduction to Biology

• BIOL122Z Behaviour and Ecology

• BIOL123Z Field Biology

• BIOL127Z Evolution

• BIOL129Z Professional Development in Biological Sciences 1

Optional modules

• BIOL124PPZ Biology of Sex

• BIOL125PPZ Scientific Method and Ethics in Biology

Year 2

You will develop a deeper understanding of animal behaviour, population and community ecology, population genetics, and ecosystem monitoring. You will also tailor your skills ready for the workplace, by specialising through optional modules in aquatic systems or plant-environment interactions. During an overseas field course to Mexico (which is included in your tuition fees), where you will experience a wide range of ecosystems from mangroves to rainforests, you will put these concepts into context, developing your practical and transferable skills,

Core modules

• BIOL204Z Principles of Conservation Biology

• BIOL205Z Animal Behaviour

• BIOL214Z Ecology

• BIOL215Z Methods in Behaviour and Conservation

• BIOL219Z Ecology Field Course

• BIOL225Z Professional Development in Biological Sciences 2

Optional modules

• BIOL217Z Environmental Plant Physiology

• MBIO220Z Applied Aquatic Biology

Optional placement year

You’ll be encouraged to undertake an optional placement year in order to gain experience of the professional world of conservation biology. Successful completion leads to the Certificate of Professional or Work Experience.

Core modules

• APIE303 Biology:Placement

Final year

Your personal research project forms a major part of your final year. Alongside this, you’ll build on advanced skills and concepts in biological disciplines as well as skills in applied conservation biology. You’ll select modules from a range of options including plant biotechnology, environmental policy, global change biology, behavioural ecology, marine vertebrate ecology and conservation and biodiversity, which will prepare you as a conservation biologist ready to enter the workplace.

Core modules

• BIOL307Z Advanced Skills and Concepts

• BIOL308Z Applied Conservation Biology

• BIOL315Z Personal Research

Optional modules

• BIOL301Z Plant Biotechnology

• BIOL309Z Environmental Policy and Conservation

• BIOL310Z Global Change Biology

• MBIO317Z Behavioural Ecology

• MBIO339Z Ecology and Conservation of Marine Vertebrates

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.