Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science - MSci

Year one

You will study the following compulsory modules:

• Life on Earth
• The Earth
• Wildlife and Society
• Field Skills

Year two

You will study the following compulsory modules:

• Conservation in Practice
• Environmental and Field Techniques
• Ecology and Ecosystem Protection
• Wildlife Ecology

Year three

You will study the following compulsory modules:

• Research Experimental Project OR Research Dissertation Project
• Contemporary Conservation Practice

Plus four of the following optional modules:

• Primate Ecology and Conservation
• Forests and Agricultural Systems
• Marine Ecosystems
• Remote Sensing and GIS
• Tropical Expedition
• Wildlife, Film and Media
• Professional Practice in Applied Sciences*

Final Year

You will study the following compulsory modules:

• Research With Impact
• Sustainable Futures
• Research in Practice

*compulsory module if you choose to go on a placement.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.

We take a student-centred approach to learning. There are opportunities for one-to-one guidance and individual feedback throughout the course. In the final year, you will be provided with individual mentoring in advanced technical and research skills, as well as career support and guidance from your research project tutor.

A significant proportion of teaching takes place at Bristol Zoo, providing an opportunity to learn about live conservation projects. A major feature of this course is the opportunity to learn in the field through field work. There are residential trips to Devon, Tenerife and Cornwall, as well as the opportunity to take part in an expedition to Cuba or Madagascar in your third year.

Work experience is integrated in the course, offering you the opportunity to spend time with conservation organisations tackling a range of issues from the local to the global.

For more details, see our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

This course uses a wide variety of assessment methods. These reflect the range of theoretical concepts, knowledge and practical skills that we want you to develop and support different types of student learning. They include essays, practical reports and field logs, poster and oral presentations, online tests, consultancy reports and management plans, investigative reports and case studies, skills and reflective portfolios, practical and traditional exams and vivas. We are increasingly using novel assessment techniques, such as blogs, online portfolios and web page design to help you develop practical e-communication skills, which are critical in the contemporary jobs market.

Assessment of the placement year is based on reflective portfolio, work supervisor's report and an oral presentation.

At Masters level, assessments include a skills portfolio, scientific writing for a range of audiences (including non-specialist), literature reviews, a field work/practical investigative report, an oral presentation at a dedicated conference and research paper.

For more details, see our full glossary of assessment terms.