MBio Ecology and Conservation

Conserving biodiversity and avoiding the extinction of species are huge global challenges. It has never been more important for scientists to understand organisms and ecosystems, and how they respond to the threats they face.

Ecology and Conservation at Lincoln seeks to explore the natural world, from individuals to populations, and communities to ecosystems. Students are able to examine how organisms interact with each other and their environment, and how these processes are affected by human activities. This helps them to understand the planetary ecosystem and how it responds to environmental change.

The course offers a diverse programme that aims to provide a firm grounding in the principles of ecology and conservation. It aims to enable students to specialise in the areas that interest them. It is taught by research-active staff in both the School of Life Sciences and School of Geography, who specialise in a wide range of disciplines across evolution, ecology, zoology, and environmental health.

Alongside fully-funded day trips throughout the degree to locations which have previously included Kew Gardens and the Millennium Seed Bank, this course also includes two fully-funded residential field trips in the UK to study ecology in a field setting. There is an additional optional overseas field trip in the third year where previous students have visited the Andean Cloud Forest in Ecuador and the Mankwe Wildlife Reserve in South Africa. Those who choose to participate in the international trip are required to pay for their own flights but accommodation and meals at the field site are covered by the University.

As students study, they will have the chance to develop skills in scientific methods and communication, which can be invaluable in many workplaces, but are especially critical for ecology and conservation.