Animal Behaviour and Biology BSc (Hons)

A Combined Honours degree at Chester gives you the opportunity to study two subjects. You will spend a fairly even amount of time studying each subject area, with possible opportunities to declare a major – minor towards the end of your studies.<br/><br/>**Animal Behaviour**<br/>Explore the fascinating science of animal behaviour, focusing on animals in their natural habitats, including ecological, conservation and welfare contexts.<br/><br/>Develop vital employer-desired skills while studying the ever-interesting field of animal behaviour. With an emphasis on free-living wild animals, you will follow a scientifically driven course that develops your fundamental skills and knowledge and then uses them in cutting-edge applied contexts such as conservation and welfare sciences.<br/><br/>Whilst the emphasis is mainly on wild animals, you can study behaviour in more managed environments: e.g. determining best husbandry and conservation breeding for endangered animals in zoos; best practice pet welfare; and farm animal management. Our staff have real enthusiasm for their subject and bring great expertise from their research fields.<br/><br/>This course is firmly rooted in the biological sciences and adopts a rigorous scientific approach to the study of the behaviour of animals. As well as exploring the behaviour of charismatic animals, we embrace a wide taxonomic range of species and have a good focus on some of the groups less emphasised elsewhere, such as amphibians and invertebrates. These groups have really interesting behaviour in their own right, but are also a crucial part of temperate and tropical ecosystems – understanding their behaviour is vital for wider habitat conservation.<br/><br/>**Biology**<br/>Gain practical experience in areas at the forefront of knowledge on this dynamic Biology degree.<br/><br/>Our Biology course offers a range of subjects and unique experiences due to links with Chester Zoo and other leading institutes, industries and charities. We supplement classroom learning with opportunities for work placements or fieldwork, and there are also opportunities to take part in exciting laboratory-based research.<br/><br/>This course introduces a variety of topics across the whole field of modern biology and emphasises that it is a science firmly grounded in observation and experimentation. We will encourage you to become a member of relevant, professional societies, such as a member of the Royal Society of Biology, and participate at organised events.<br/><br/>We undertake diverse research activities that ensure enthusiastic delivery of contemporary content. These include countering the illegal trade in endangered species using DNA-based techniques; improved understanding of disease processes; cancer biology; microbiology; animal behaviour; and conservation biology.

Join a university with a real focus on making you not just ‘work ready’, but ‘World Ready’. With expert teaching alongside built-in work placements and industry links, courses are closely aligned to the real world, enabling you to graduate a step ahead, connected to a network of contacts. <br/><br/>Outside the classroom, you’ll have a comprehensive support package to help you gain self-worth and resilience, so you can contribute to society on a local, national and global level. There’s a wealth of opportunities to boost your CV; volunteer in the community, take a free language course, enhance your digital skills, work part-time and earn while you learn, and get involved with Chester Students’ Union.<br/><br/>Beautiful and packed with history, Chester is a bustling 21st century city balancing big name shopping, eating and living with an eclectic independent scene. It has a safe and thriving nightlife too. <br/><br/>Join a friendly and inclusive community that shares your ambition and Get World Ready – apply now!