- This course covers a field of study that is both scientifically rigorous and extremely relevant to todayÕs world.
- We place a strong emphasis on laboratory and field work including residential courses in France and Devon, enabling you to put your skills into practice.
- We have great links with regional environmental organisations, providing exciting work placement and career opportunities. For example, some of our students have gone on to work with conservation trusts, government agencies, wildlife centres, zoos and environmental consultancies.
- You will have opportunities to work with our own research groups and external conservation organisations with whom we have very good working relationships. Some of these are linked to our Centre for Ecology, Environment and Conservation.
- A pathway within the course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). In order to receive this accreditation you need to take a particular set of modules. These are marked with * in the module lists under 'This course in detail', below.
Animal Biology and Conservation may be studied as a single honours degree, either full-time or part-time. You will benefit from the departmentÕs research expertise in conservation ecology, evolution and developmental biology to gain the key theoretical and practical skills you will need to address questions such as:
- How do animals with complex body plans develop from a single cell?
- Why do many female animals exhibit mate choice?
- What adaptations help animals cope with life in hostile environments?
- How do we best conserve rare and endangered animal species?
Year 1 provides a foundation in biodiversity, cell biology, physiology and biochemistry. You will develop skills in safe laboratory and field working, data handling, statistics and information technology. A feature of your first year is a series of tutorials with your academic adviser. The tutorials are designed to help you adjust to academic life at university and establish good study habits.
Year 2 and the final year include in-depth study of animal behaviour, animal evolutionary development, threatened species, habitat management and field biology skills, including identification, surveying and licensing. Research skills and professional development provide an essential step in your development as an independent researcher and fundamentally underpin your final-year project and work placement.
The final-year modules are designed to build on earlier knowledge and skills with an emphasis on self-management and independent learning.
As well as developing your skills as a biologist, you will have the opportunity to gain invaluable professional experience, which will further enhance your career prospects.
