Ecology with a Professional Training Year (BSc)

Ecology is one of the newest sciences, and is crucial in helping us understand how to minimise damage to the environment caused by human activity. The Cardiff Ecology BSc emphasises the roles that environmental factors have played in the evolution of the great diversity of life that we find on earth today, and the ways in which this invaluable heritage can be conserved for the future. We also deal with the problems of environmental pollution, especially its effects on natural habitats. You will learn about the management of sites to conserve their biodiversity, and you will attend two field courses to gain essential hands-on experience of ecological work.

There are many opportunities to get involved with research and every biosciences student has a common first year, so you experience a taste of all areas of the subject. This allowed me to find out that I have an interest in topics I never thought I would enjoy, as Cardiff is so flexible with degree schemes I was able to change from Biology to Ecology.

Sophie Franks, Undergraduate Student (Ecology) Year one

Year one at the School of Biosciences recognises that, as well as making the transition to independence from home, you are also facing new and exciting challenges in your education. You will now be studying in your chosen field and you will need to be fully prepared for the educational opportunities that are waiting for you. During your first week we will start you on this preparation by making sure you know what is different between school and University learning. You will feel part of the School of Biosciences immediately as you will be paired with a student buddy, who will show you the ropes and make you feel part of the student community. You will also meet your personal tutor, who will be on hand to help you with pastoral and academic issues for the whole time you are with us.

Our common year one modular course gives a broad grounding in the Biosciences, the interdisciplinary nature of this integrated course allows students to explore their interests without committing to a degree scheme until the end of the first year. The benefit of our common year one modular course is that if you are not sure that you have chosen the right degree scheme when you join us then you are sure to have a much better idea at the end of our common year one. You then have the opportunity to change to any of our twelve degree schemes according to your interests and career aspirations.

We offer a wide range of learning opportunities from lectures, tutorials, practicals, workshops and seminars where you will come into contact with some leading research scientists. A team of academic staff who are teaching-focused ensure the smooth running of teaching and learning. We also appreciate that some of you will prefer particular assessment methods, and assess in a variety of ways, with emphasis on the practical skills you need to become a scientist. You will receive a range of feedback including written feedback on all coursework, and you have an opportunity to see your exam answer papers so you can improve on your performance next time.

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsBiological ChemistryBI101420 creditsStructure and Function of Living OrganismsBI100220 creditsSkills for ScienceBI100120 creditsGenetics and EvolutionBI105120 creditsThe Dynamic CellBI100420 creditsOrganisms and EnvironmentBI100320 creditsYear two

Following on the common year one, where you build a robust basic knowledge and skill foundation within the biosciences, year two allows strengthening and expanding it with natural progression, and crucially the development of knowledge and skills in a context specific to your chosen degree programme. You enrol on modules, which are core to your degree programme, and on optional modules relevant to your degree. You are given extensive academic advice and support in your choice by personal tutors, degree, module and Year coordinators

Prior to the start of the year you will attend a one week introductory field course on ecological methods based at a nature reserve in South Wales. During your second year or in the following vacation, you will choose another field course from a variety of locations in Britain and abroad where you will gain valuable experience in the study and analysis of selected ecosystems. Many students visit our Danau Girang Field Centre in north east Borneo for this field course while others opt for alternatives in the UK, France, Tobago and Kenya. Each course has a slightly different emphasis. Note that some field courses are at extra cost to students. During the second year you will learn the techniques available for the study of populations and communities, the underlying ecological processes, as well as receiving a sound grounding in animal, plant and microbe diversity.

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsPopulation EcologyBI215810 creditsField CourseBI215410 creditsMicrobial EcologyBI216210 creditsEcosystem ProcessesBI215210 creditsPlant Form and FunctionBI211510 creditsAnimal DiversityBI211820 creditsMolecular Ecology and EvolutionBI212110 creditsOptional modules

Module titleModule codeCreditsAnimal Behaviour: An IntroductionBI211010 creditsAnimal Physiological AdaptationsBI215010 creditsPlant Development and PhysiologyBI215710 creditsMicrobial DiversityBI216110 creditsResearch TechniquesBI200120 creditsYear three: Sandwich year

From year two you progress into the professional training year (PTY), which supports your learning and maturing in a work environment, thus crucially adding to your employability, experience, independence, subject and generic skills portfolio. You will be able to offer both a good degree and relevant work experience, which is what employers seek in new staff

You, helped by the School, will find a placement where you undertake scientific research in industry, a government research laboratory, or some other suitable organisation. Examples of recent placements include the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust; Kew Gardens; Cheetah Conservation Fund, Namibia, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Edinburgh; and the Marine Conservation Society of the Seychelles. You start looking for a placement at the start of year two and you are assisted by a PTY Coordinator who will also vet potential placements to ensure they provide suitable scientific training. While on placement, you are assigned a PTY Tutor from Cardiff School of Biosciences, who will keep in close contact with you to make sure everything is progressing well and will visit you, if the placement is in the UK. At the end of the placement year, you report on the scientific work undertaken as a basis of assessment along with a report from the employer. PTY counts for 10% of your overall degree result

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsSandwich YearBI9999120 creditsYear four

The research-led final year gives you an opportunity to immerse yourself in your chosen field by following a series of advanced research-led modules. These are designed to develop your ability to critically analyse complex experimental or technical data and to expose you to the central concepts at the cutting-edge of your discipline. You also gain experience of contemporary research through attending a selection of the many seminars given within the school by international leaders in their fields. You are asked to produce an original dissertation based either on a laboratory project, an extensive literature analysis or an exercise relating to science teaching/ pedagogic research or public engagement. Through our mentoring of these projects we nurture a range of transferable skills to ensure that you are not only equipped for today's job market but have the adaptability to be successful in the new career paths that will certainly emerge in the future.

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsGlobal Climate Change EcologyBI313620 creditsBiosciences Final Year ProjectBI300640 creditsAssessing The EnvironmentBI311020 creditsOptional modules

Module titleModule codeCreditsConservation BiologyBI311420 creditsPlants For The FutureBI313020 creditsAdvanced Topics in Animal BehaviourBI313220 creditsAquatic Resource Management and ConservationBI313420 creditsBioinformaticsBI313520 creditsAnimal ParasitologyBI312720 credits The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.