Bachelor's degree
In Aberdeen
Description
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Type
Bachelor's degree
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Location
Aberdeen (Scotland)
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Duration
4 Years
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
Reviews
Course programme
Programme Structure & Content
First Year
Courses include Ecology and Environmental Science, Organismal Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Chemistry. Optional courses cover subjects including Land Management, Geography, Soil Science and Computing Science. Students take a one week field course on Plant Ecology at Bettyhill, Sutherland.
Second Year
Core courses in second year cover Community Ecology, Animal and Plant Diversity and Function, and Scientific Skills for biologists. Additional optional courses are selected from Conservation Biology, Ocean Biology, Genes and Evolution, and Microbiology. Students take an Animal Ecology field trip in Yorkshire or on the North-east Scottish coast.
Third Year
Third year courses are in Animal Population Ecology; Plant Ecology; Ecosystem Processes and Experimental Design, Analysis and Presentation. Students can also choose from Plant Biogeography and Conservation; Animal Evolution and Biodiversity; Animal Behaviour; Plant/Animal Interactions; Plant/Environment Interactions, Aquatic Biology and Conservation; Tropical Ecology; Tropical Conservation; Marine Ecology and Ecosystems and Environmental Analysis. Students have the opportunity to go on a Forest Ecology field trip in central France during the summer before or after their third year.
Fourth Year (Honours)
Students do an independent research project in Ecology, often in collaboration with an external organisation or as part of an overseas expedition. Students also undertake an extended essay, and core scientific skills training. There is also a choice of advanced courses in Behavioural Ecology; Wildlife Management; Nature Conservation; Ecological & Environmental Modelling; Marine Ecology, Tropical Forest Management; Molecular Ecology and Bioethics.
Teaching & Assessment
Teaching includes lectures, laboratory practicals, fieldwork, seminars, and tutorials. Most courses are assessed by both continuous assessment and a written examination. Continuous assessment takes many forms including essays, practical reports and group projects. Throughout all years students improve their transferable skills, for example through presentations and group activities.
Additional information
Career opportunities: Ecologists are employed in a wide range of interesting jobs by government and non-government nature conservation organisations, local government, Environmental Protection Agencies, environmental consultancies and research agencies. There are also opportunities in environmental education in field centres and schools, and in the communications sector.
Ecology