Animal Biology and Conservation - 2012 entry
BSc (Hons)
- single
Typical A-level offer: BBC or equivalent
Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences
Overview
Animal Biology and Conservation field work
Animal Biology and Conservation field work
An Animal Biology and Conservation student holding a trout. Large trout have a high spawning potential so this one was later released.
A Natterer's Bat. In England, there are thought to be less then 70,000 left in the wild.
This course is run by the Department of Biological and Medical Sciences
Environmental change requires an expert understanding of animal biology and conservation, whether in charting the recovery of endangered populations, or in avoiding outbreaks of diseases such as avian flu. The importance of captive breeding and reintroduction means that experts in animal biology also have an important part to play in the management of zoo animals as part of conservation programmes. This course covers a field of study that is both scientifically rigorous and extremely relevant to today's world.
This course is designed for anyone who is fascinated by animals, in particular their evolutionary origins and development, ecology, behaviour and conservation. By the end of the course you will be trained, through many field trip opportunities, in animal (bird, mammal and invertebrate) surveying and identification and have an in-depth knowledge of animal management requirements. You will also integrate whole-animal biology and conservation with more molecular and biochemical aspects of animal biology, such as genetics, cell structure, development and physiology.
Why Brookes?
- We place a strong emphasis on laboratory and field work including residential courses in the Cévennes (in France) and Devon, enabling students to put their skills into practice.
- We have great links with regional environmental organisations, providing exciting work placement and career opportunities. For example, one of our students worked as a conservation officer for ADAS, the UK’s largest independent provider of environmental consultancy, rural development services and policy advice.
- Students have opportunities to work with research groups, such as our Environmental Information Exchange and Pond Conservation, providing students with potential project ideas and work experience.
- The Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) accredits our degree, potentially enhancing your career prospects.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Various teaching methods are used, including lectures, group projects and practical exercises, all supported by good library and IT resources. Throughout your course, emphasis will be placed on general transferable skills such as public speaking, computer use and report writing; these skills often form part of the assessment of individual modules.
The courses are taught by specialist staff who are involved in research work. This work is sometimes included in module content and students have opportunities to participate in research projects, reinforcing our commitment to integrate research into teaching.
Teaching is supported strongly by both practical work and fieldwork, enabling you to develop the skills required by the sector including acquiring licences.
Assessment methods vary according to the range of knowledge and skills covered. In some modules assessment is entirely by coursework.
Learning outcomes
When you have successfully completed your course, you will be able to:
- integrate understanding of the core processes and functions within animals from sub-cellular to community levels
- evaluate the theoretical aspects of spatial and temporal dynamics of populations, their variability and the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that determine their persistence, and relate theory to practice in conservation and biological resource management
- select the appropriate survey technique for a given faunal group (including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates) in a specified habitat type and critically assess the effectiveness of the survey techniques as tools for use in nature conservation evaluation, site management and research
- appraise how animals function in terms of the mechanistic properties of their body plan, physiology, behaviour, development and metabolism, and place this in ecological and evolutionary contexts
- identify the processes that affect animal survival, reproduction and general biodiversity, and integrate this into a conservation programme.
In detail
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Lily Gilbert
My favourite lecturer is Andrew Lack. He’s so passionate about his course. He’s also an excellent academic adviser and gives friends of mine good advice about their course.
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Animal biologists attempt to answer important 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, thus serving to demonstrate your progression to an honours-level qualification. Throughout, practical aspects are emphasised through laboratory exercises and fieldwork designed to develop your understanding of the techniques employed by animal biologists.
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.
As courses are reviewed regularly, the module list you choose from may vary from that shown below.
Year 1
You will follow a programme of compulsory modules in Year 1:
- Biodiversity (double)
- Biology of Cells (double)
- Chemistry Principles and the Environment
- Field Course: Identification and Methodology
- Human Structure and Function (double)
- Skills for Life Scientists (double)
Year 2 and final year
You choose from a wide range of subjects, to suit your interests and career aspirations:
- Advanced Topics in Cell Biology
- Advanced Topics in Wildlife Conservation
- Animal Behaviour
- Enterprise Skills for Life Scientists
- Environmental Change: Field-Work and Research (double)
- Environmental Consultancy
- Environmental Processes, Pollution and Climate Change (double)
- Evolution and Animal Development (double)
- Field Course: Surveys and Licensing
- Geographical Information Systems
- Human and Other Primates
- Independent Study in Life Sciences
- Molecular Biology and Genetics (double)
- Primate Societies
- Project (double)
- Research Methods for Biology and Environmental Sciences
- Science and Humanity
- Special Study in Life Sciences
- Threatened Species
- Work Experience
Work placements
The work experience and final-year project modules not only provide you with opportunities to gain invaluable professional experience in an area of interest to you but also enable you to develop links with biological and environmental organisations, further enhancing your career prospects.
Work placements have included conservation work for ADAS, the UK’s largest independent provider of environmental consultancy, rural development services and policy advice. Students also have opportunities to work with our research groups, such as our Environmental Information Exchange and Pond Conservation.
Field trips
There are field courses in Oxford, the Cévennes (southern France) and Devon, and an opportunity to gain real-life experience of environmental consultancy or other work experience.
Our students have had opportunities to study habitats and species management abroad. For example, Dr Stewart Thompson is leading a project in the Ranthambore National Park in northern India researching the population dynamics of tigers and their prey items.
We also encourage our students to take part in organised scientific trips overseas with groups such as the Wildlife African Conservation Team and Operation Wallacea. This is a fantastic way of gathering fieldwork data for honours research projects.
More locally, there are opportunities to develop your understanding of captive breeding via zoo visits. Some students have gained work experience at the Cotswold Wildlife Park for example.
Study abroad
Information about exchanges, European work placements and other study abroad programmes is available here.
Free language courses for students - the Open Module
Free language courses are available to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students who are studying any course on our Headington (including Marston Road), Harcourt Hill or Wheatley Campuses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Key facts
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Department
Department of Biological and Medical Sciences
Professional accreditation
Our Animal Biology and Conservation degree has been accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). Accreditation means professional recognition, which could enhance your career prospects once you graduate.
As a student on an accredited course, you automatically become a student member of the IES, and are entitled to use the post-nominal StMIEnvSc. Benefits include access to the members' area of the IES careers website, and regular contact with the environmental sciences community through the IES newsletter. On graduation you become eligible to apply for associate membership, which is your route to full membership and Chartered Environmentalist status as your career develops.
Graduates working in a biological discipline may also apply for membership of the Society of Biology.
Course length
Full-time: 3 years
Part-time: part-time study is possible
Teaching location
Headington Campus, Gipsy Lane
Start date
September 2012
UCAS code
CC31 BSc/AB
Fees / funding
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Tuition fees
UK/EU students
Full-time: £9,000
Part-time: £750 per module. You can take up to five modules per academic year.
Tuition fees
International students
Full-time: £11,750
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
+44 (0)1865 483088
finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk
Funding and scholarships
For general sources of financial support, see:
Apply / Entry reqs
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Typical offers
A-level: BBC or equivalent
IB Diploma: 30 points
Advanced Diploma: Environment and Land-Based Studies at grade C
Students studying more than one science subject may receive a lower offer.
We aim to admit students who have the potential to make good scientists, and we believe that qualifications are not the only indicator of future potential. Typical offers also include:
- A-level grades BB plus 2 AS-levels at grade C (equivalent to 280 UCAS tariff points). Students studying more than one science subject may receive a lower offer.
- 1 12-unit vocational A-level grade BB plus 1 A-level or 2 AS-levels grade at C.
- Other recognised qualifications, eg BTEC Nationals or Scottish qualifications (equivalent to 280 UCAS points).
If your combination of qualifications doesn't match our typical offer, please contact our admissions tutor.
Specific entry requirements
A-level: You must have studied science post-16, either at A-Level or equivalent level (see our typical offers). Preferred A-level subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Environmental Sciences and Geography.
GCSE: Mathematics, English Language and Double Integrated Science (or equivalent) at grade C minimum
Please also see the university's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
Please see the university's standard English language requirements.
English language requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Border Agency's minimum language requirements as well as the university's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Full-time students should apply for this course through UCAS.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university.
Conditions of acceptance
When you accept our offer you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Oxford Brookes operates the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All undergraduate single modules are equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits and double modules to 15 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.
Student experience
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Why Oxford is a great place to study Animal Biology and Conservation
Oxford is surrounded by over 100 Sites of Special Scientific Interest including Otmoor, Wytham Woods and Cothill Fen to name a few. Easy access to these sites provide excellent opportunities for fieldwork and we endeavour to fully exploit our local environment.
As a student in Oxford you'll be at the heart of the UK's most successful economic region and in a centre for leading industries which provides you with a host of learning opportunities. Students also benefit from our strong links with local organisations such as NERC's Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Because Oxford is one of the world's great academic cities, it is a key centre of debate, with conferences, seminars and forums taking place across education, science, the arts and many other subjects.
In addition to our own excellent libraries and resource centres, our students have access to the world-renowned Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Science Library and can gain free entry to the Botanic Garden and Harcourt Arboretum.
Specialist facilities
The department has a range of specially designed facilities for students studying biology and environmental science related subjects. For example, the developmental biology area boasts both a butterfly lab and a laboratory dedicated to one of the most studied organisms in developmental biology, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Furthermore, we have a number of environmentally controlled rooms and cabinets.
Alongside a range of microscopes enabling study of specimens from the organism to the cell level, the department also has a vast array of equipment for fieldwork and laboratory-based research at its disposal. From mass and atomic absorption spectrometers to bat detectors, moth traps and pond nets, students will get hands-on with chemical analyses and ecological surveys.
Support for students studying Animal Biology and Conservation
Our Personal and Academic Support System (PASS) is gaining national and international recognition for its proactive approach to personal tutoring. It recognises that students need to make various adjustments as they move into higher education, whether from school or employment.
The system encompasses three elements:
- a structured group tutorial programme
- an academic adviser who will help you to plan your degree programme and future career
- interaction with other students on your course.
The first stage includes regular seminars covering a wide range of subjects including research skills, understanding assessment criteria and making the most of coursework feedback. Our programme also helps students adjust to university life by developing their transferable skills.
Secondly, our academic staff monitor your progress regularly to check that you are maximising your potential. If you experience academic difficulties we can arrange for you to receive academic mentoring support.
Thirdly, if you are faced with challenges that affect your ability to study, such as illness, bereavement, depression, financial difficulties or accommodation issues, we will work with you in finding a way forward. Please talk to your academic adviser or our student support team. Oxford Brookes also offers a range of excellent services to support you.
General support services
Supporting your learning
From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.
Personal support services
We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.
Accommodation
At Brookes we understand that when you live away from home it's important to be somewhere that you feel comfortable and safe.
After graduation
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Professional accreditation
Our Animal Biology and Conservation degree has been accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). Accreditation means professional recognition, which could enhance your career prospects once you graduate.
As a student on an accredited course, you automatically become a student member of the IES, and are entitled to use the post-nominal StMIEnvSc. Benefits include access to the members' area of the IES careers website, and regular contact with the environmental sciences community through the IES newsletter. On graduation you become eligible to apply for associate membership, which is your route to full membership and Chartered Environmentalist status as your career develops.
Graduates working in a biological discipline may also apply for membership of the Society of Biology.
Career prospects
The skills and knowledge gained on this course are directly relevant to a number of careers in the area of wildlife management and conservation. Many of our graduates will find employment with conservation bodies or in the private sector working as consultants in animal ecology.
Others will find jobs in the agriculture, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and in conservation management and environmental agencies. There are other career paths in the civil service, forensic sciences, teaching, the food industry, commercial analytical laboratories, professions allied to medicine, and in government and industrial research laboratories.
An Animal Biology and Conservation degree also offers an excellent general university education and can provide a gateway to careers in management, journalism and the media, finance and other areas of commerce, law, computing and the leisure industry.
Further study
Many of our graduates will go on to research positions or enrol on our specialist MSc Conservation Ecology.
