Ecology and Conservation [with Foundation year] BSc (Hons)

Our planet needs protecting and by choosing to study on our course, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the concerns surrounding different environments and the specialist skills required to tackle them. You’ll also learn about biodiversity locally and around the world, and explore conservation ecology, which aims to support, recover and maintain populations and their habitats.<br/><br/>**Why study Ecology and Conservation at ARU?**<br/>- Our BSc Ecology and Conservation course was awarded ‘Highly Commended’ at CIEEM 2024 Awards within the Higher Education Programme of the Year category<br/><br/><br/>- Study in Cambridge – a hub of expertise and wildlife institutions headquarters, and home to our £45m Science Centre.<br/><br/><br/>- Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; designed, developed, and run with local employers such as the Wildlife Trust and Cambridge City Council, giving you exposure to ‘real life’ problem-solving.<br/><br/><br/>- Get hands-on using world-class equipment in our 200-seat SuperLab, as well as on residential field trips and day trips around the UK, with the added opportunity to study ecology in the tropics.<br/><br/><br/>- Study on a course developed in line with industry standards, with accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) and the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management (CIEEM).<br/><br/><br/>- Gain valuable employment experience by applying for internships supporting research, or opt for our placement year with a range of exciting employers.<br/><br/><br/>On our course you’ll go on field trips in the UK and overseas, including opportunities to go to Europe and the tropics. These will offer you unforgettable experiences, providing essential practical experience. You’ll learn wildlife taxonomy, conservation, distribution and ecology. Explore oceanic and coastal ecosystems, vertebrate and invertebrate biology, study the ways in which animals cope with the demands of everyday life and the principles of evolutionary theory. You’ll learn how the rules of inheritance translate into the organisation of the gene-pool of a population and species as you develop a detailed understanding of the relationship between genetic variation and evolution. Learn the spatial distribution of living things and how these have been affected by global change.<br/><br/>You’ll also receive training in field techniques in marine, terrestrial or behavioural ecology. You’ll show your understanding of conservation and wildlife management using a range of practical ecology tools and processes. Become familiar with a range of computer software, gaining skills in data handling. There’s a focus on research, analysis and investigation as we explore the skills you need to understand biological systems, critically evaluate and report information. You’ll put your research skills to the test and create a substantial piece of individual research.<br/><br/>Cambridge is becoming a world centre for wildlife conservation, with Fauna and Flora International, Birdlife International and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre based here. Throughout our BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation degree, you’ll have opportunities to attend lectures in the city and visit specialist museums and libraries.<br/><br/>Helping to protect our planet’s habitats and wildlife is fascinating and rewarding work. You’ll have the specialist skills you need to work in your chosen area of ecology, conservation or wildlife biology; with a deep understanding of issues relating to marine biology, backed up by your own practical experiences on a variety of field trips. You’ll also develop transferable skills in problem-solving, teamwork, and scientific communication, ideal for future employment in the ecological sector and in research roles more widely.