Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation

Study the biological realms of our global plight to rescue our world’s critically endangered species from extinction. You’ll be introduced to the challenges of saving endangered species, most importantly, the role of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), and captive populations. You'll investigate conservation genetics and how these specific environments are managed, while exploring in-situ versus ex-situ conservation.

You’ll create a research project about a specific threatened species of your choice and consider how climate change increasingly impacts how populations use landscapes. You’ll draw links between biodiversity and key approaches to conservation landscapes.

You’ll interact with species reintroduction programmes, managing island flora and fauna, and you'll explore the ethical and educational aspects surrounding ex-situ collections.

You will gain an in-depth understanding of how biologists play an integral part in saving today’s endangered species.

In this module you’ll delve into the fascinating science behind animal behaviour. Scientists have long studied the nuances of animal behaviour, investigating the underlying behavioural traits and their variation in animals, which is what you’ll be discovering too in this insightful module.

You can expect to study a wide range of elements including physiological, morphological and evolutionary mechanisms. You’ll consider the importance of observation and experimentation on our understanding of behaviour, and adaptive behaviour of animals in the wild.

You’ll turn your attention to the influences of resource type and quality on animal behaviour, the evolution of behavioural traits and the acquisition of new behaviours. Throughout your study you’ll have access to supportive literature and key primary research papers, which shall support your case studies on the importance of animal behaviour in conservation.

In this module, you’ll learn essential training in professional career management skills, designed to assist you in actively planning and preparing for your future career. You’ll explore a career development cycle, starting with discovering your potential, considering opportunities within job roles, postgraduate study or training.

On completion of this module you’ll feel confident about competing in the graduate job market, whether you are applying for work placements or graduate jobs. You can expect to get hands-on with practical involvement from the university’s Career Consultants and employers.

After completion of this module you should have a clearer idea of where your career values lie, and a greater understanding of how you may realise your career aspirations.

In this module, you’ll learn how to manage ‘big data’ and machine learning techniques for drawing meaningful Biological Science conclusions.

You’ll get interactive and hands-on with the fundamentals of programming and analysis across biological, statistical and computer science elements. In addition, you’ll get up to speed on managing and communicating data from diverse biological disciplines using the R language for statistical computing.

On completion of this module you’ll gain highly transferable skills from across a range of disciplines, making you an asset for both research and employment.

In this module you’ll develop your competency in designing and executing field sampling techniques for UK flora and fauna, in line with protected species legislation. You’ll explore key habitat types and species while implementing best practice field assessment techniques and monitoring skills. Based on your competencies you will also be given the opportunity to apply for statutory body (Natural England) licences to survey protected species. On completion of this module you will have gained appropriate field experience for employment in field-based careers in ecology and conservation.

In this module, you’ll explore the current environmental issues in a rapidly changing world and the scientific approaches needed to fully understand and develop strategies to mitigate them. Discover some of the most pressing issues of today’s humankind as you draw on an interdisciplinary approach to understand pressures that exist across the environmental change landscape.

You’ll critically assess current research, and formulate proposals for new areas of study. You'll consider some of the fundamental concepts and practices that underpin the quest to find solutions to our use of environmental resources. You’ll use this knowledge to devise hypothesis and experimental design elements to create more sustainable solutions to real-world issues.

On completion of this module, you will have built strong foundational scientific skills and will be able to apply your knowledge to the consideration of new sustainable approaches to mitigate the risks of environmental change.

In this module, you’ll gain an understanding of The Earth as a global system. You’ll consider it in terms of spheres: the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere, each interacting in different scales of time and space.

You’ll gain core information you need to succeed in physical geography, as you understand how these spheres underpin the character and behaviour of the global system that we observe. You’ll explore each of these spheres in detail, gaining a whole picture of the global system. To do this you will engage with a range of disciplines, including:

• geology
• hydrology
• micro and macro ecology
• atmospheric chemistry
• physics
• computer modelling.

Without plants, life on Earth would look very different to what it is now. Plants provide us with energy and food, shelter, and the oxygen that we are breathing.

In this module, you’ll explore how important plants are in tackling global issues like climate change, sustainability, preserving biodiversity, finding new medicines, understanding societal inequalities, and living a healthy life. You'll study the fundamental biology of plants: how they grow, reproduce, and interact with bacteria, viruses, animals, and abiotic stresses like heat or drought. You will learn to appreciate the diversity of flowers, and how pollination drove their evolution.

You will discover how plants produce energy, oxygen, sugars and other components that are essential for life on Earth, as well as about cutting-edge research, gaining knowledge of pollen biology using a scanning electron microscope. In addition, you’ll be given the chance to create a science article all about your chosen plant genus.

This module gives you a grounding in the concepts, components and functions of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). You’ll develop knowledge and understanding of spatial data, including methods for data capture and spatial analysis within a GIS environment. You’ll acquire extensive practical experience using the industry standard GIS software, developing skills in creating and editing digital maps and incorporating third party sources of spatial data. You’ll be able to use this data for spatial analysis, modelling and decision support, and gain valuable skills for your future career.

How are our genes passed from one generation to the next? How does DNA play a role in our genetic makeup? And what is the science behind evolution on earth? All these questions and more will be answered in this encapsulating module exploring the field of genetics.

You’ll gain specialist knowledge on real-world biomedical applications and computational analyses techniques, which will provide the perfect foundation to your further studies. You’ll benefit from gaining specialist knowledge from experts in the field. Whether it’s healthcare, endangered species, or cancer research, as a graduate you can expect your skills to make a lasting impact on society.

A study that is relevant to the student's programme that is offered in exceptional circumstances at the discretion and instigation of the module leader. Typically, those circumstances will be limited to (a) providing a student planning to study abroad during semester 2 with the opportunity to take the first semester of a double credit module that runs throughout the year, and (b) providing the opportunity for a student to gain an extra credit to allow them to graduate normally. Where possible, a learning contract is agreed between the student and a supervising member of staff in the semester prior to the one in which the study is to be undertaken. In all cases, a learning contract must be approved by the Subject Examination Committee. Only once the learning contract has been formally approved will the module be registered on the student's programme of study.

You can extend your course by taking a sandwich year in a relevant professional role, during which you’ll remain registered as a student. We’ll support your continued academic development in the workplace (e.g. a research, pharmaceutical or hospital laboratory). You’ll gain insight from working in a professional setting and develop new practical and career skills, whilst contributing to the work of the professional team hosting you. You’ll organise the placement yourself, with our help and advice, e.g. by applying for advertised placements or finding suitable hosts.

You’ll need to fund associated expenses during your sandwich year, usually your placement will be salaried. For a career as an NHS Biomedical Scientist, as well as your BSc Hons in Biomedical Science, you must register with the Health and Care Professions Council via an Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) Certificate of Competence Registration Portfolio. A placement in an IBMS laboratory can give you this opportunity.

You’ll focus on the development of your professional skills and personalise your career ambitions. You’ll select your study elements, which will allow you flexibility and draw upon your research expertise and links with external partners. Some of the wide range of topics you’ll cover will be relevant to your degree, such as advanced microscopy, protein biochemistry, species identification, geographic information systems, entrepreneurship or science communication.

You’ll gain hands-on experience on how to competently perform techniques, and you’ll hear from professionals working in the sector, who will provide an insight into their career. You will learn how you can make a difference in the world and existing job market with the new knowledge and skills you’ll gain. Self-reflection is encouraged on this module, and you’ll get the chance to demonstrate your learning through a written report, talk, poster, leaflet, protocol, or oral viva.

If you’ve ever been interested in the strategies behind conserving wildlife, this module is for you. You’ll study and identify key concepts which will support your ability to formulate solutions for protecting biodiversity at the local and landscape scale. You’ll focus your learning on core conservation issues, with consideration of controversies and alternative approaches to the practical issues involved in land management for successful conservation. You’ll build on your foundational knowledge from previous modules. As your study progresses you will gain a practical and theoretical understanding of wildlife conservation and the environmental issues that threaten species.

Interested in how ecosystems impact our environment? In this module, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a one-week residential field course trip which will invite you to consider the connections between topical ecological and environmental systems. You’ll be encouraged to develop high level survey design, and put your data analysis and interpretation skills into action. The field course trip will run over the summer break, and shall be supplemented by scheduled activities in the following semester.

This is your opportunity to thrive in the field of environmental consultancy. You’ll gain real-life experience of environmental management, develop an expertise in professional practice, and explore legislation, regulation and geographical systems. You’ll work in small groups on an external client consultancy brief. Step by step, you shall walk the client through the process and write a proposal covering the work you intend to deliver. You’ll have the opportunity to produce a report and deliver an oral presentation for client consideration. Your study will be designed to support you through this process.

Science has had an impact on all aspects of our lives, and overall, you’ll learn how to set that influence in its social and historical context, in this module. You’ll address alternative views of the world, how they have been developed or replaced in the context of science, and have a clear look at the strengths and weaknesses of a scientific world view. You’ll explore ideas about the value of other life forms and consider environmental philosophy. You’ll take a refreshing perspective on modern contentious ideas and possibilities such as Genetic Modification, organic farming, fracking, stem cell research, manipulation of the human genome and designer babies. In addition, you’ll turn your focus to the political, economic, and moral context of the current environmental crisis.

This is the culmination of your degree, and your chance to delve into the world of research to pioneer your own breakthrough. As part of this module you’ll have the opportunity to create an individual piece of research related to your degree subject, working alongside a supervisor from the Department of Biological Sciences at Oxford Brookes University. You’ll be encouraged to explore opportunities to develop your project outside of the University, under the guidance of your tutor. You’ll participate in formal sessions that are designed to help you consider possible project choices and provide you with the necessary knowledge to search for outside project opportunities.

This is a great addition to your CV and helps you to stand out from the crowd when looking for a graduate job.

You can sign up for work experience in your first year and you’ll complete the work experience preparation module in Year 2. You'll be supported with your search for work experience and develop techniques and skills useful at interviews and assessment centres. Additional support is also available from dedicated work experience staff members. During your work experience you will receive regular support from your own Work Experience Tutor.

Your work experience must be full time and be for a minimum number of weeks. The salary must be commensurate with the role and not less than the minimum wage for the country in which the placement is taking place.

We have a number of links with local and regional employers including the NHS and local NGOs/Charities that can support you in your search for relevant work experience.

You'll have the opportunity to choose a topic that is relevant to your programme. Building upon your knowledge from your previous year of study, for those on the MBiol programme, you'll get the chance to immerse yourself in the production of a detailed project plan for your Masters year project/dissertation. For all other study programmes, you’ll pick a project in agreement with your supervisor, which will be submitted for approval by end of week 1 in the semester in which the study is to be undertaken. You’ll start planning your work six weeks before the start of the semester to give you ample time for submission. You’ll have access to Moodle where you’ll be able to view your module learning contract template and find all the information you need to successfully complete your independent study.

The module is a period of research practice in a professional working environment. The objective is to augment and develop the skills and competencies delivered by the degree programme, and to practice science in a working context. The period of research practice will allow the student to apply the knowledge and learning gained in their academic training while carrying out their own supervised research in an active research environment. The research will be related to, and draw on, the theoretical knowledge and skills already acquired during the first three years of their degree programme. It is expected that the student will gain scientific and interpersonal skills which complement the learning experience delivered by taught modules. The research practiced carried out as a team member within an active research environment will therefore contribute to the training of talented students interested in careers as practising scientists.

Our understanding of basic concepts in molecular biology has given rise to the different ‘omics’ areas of modern research and application (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics etc.). This module will begin by refreshing your understanding of topics such as DNA structure, replication, mutation and repair, and gene expression. We will also explore how the biological concepts have been exploited by scientists to derive and apply the wide array of methodologies that have come to be known collectively by the term “molecular biology”, such as DNA cloning, PCR, quantitative PCR, microarrays and RNA interference. This expanding collection of technologies provides scientists with a fundamental basis for studying biological processes and various aspects of human disease. You'll use several of these techniques, through laboratory-based practical work, to deepen your understanding and illustrate potential applications.

Successful conservation requires the application of ecological principles and an ability to critically appraise ecological data, including large data sets. Through the use of case studies and theories to examine areas of controversy, this module develops an understanding of best practice for habitat classification and species monitoring.

This module develops taxonomic skills by asking you to focus on the processes of identification of species and recognition of key characteristics of selected taxonomic groups. Skills are learned through practical studies in the field and the use of collections and appropriate taxonomic tools.

he independent study is a module that provides students with an opportunity to address a discipline area is not formally offered as part of the taught programme or the student has a desire to expand on a topic area that was superficially covered. In this module we encourage students to create a product output that is potentially useful for the industry of interest. The type of product though is chosen within consultation with the module leader and their chosen supervisor for the activity. There are no formal teaching components for this course but instead students are expected to conduct the work independently with some supervisory/stakeholder guidance. The module requires a learning contract which is agreed between the student and a supervising member of staff in the semester prior to the one in which the study is to be undertaken, and this must be approved by the Subject Examination Committee. Only once the learning contract has been formally approved will the module be registered on the student's programme of study.

Ecosystems provide a number of benefits to humans, which can be conceptualised as 'ecosystem services'. The type and value of these ecosystem services depend at least in part on biodiversity. In this module, we will look at the 'value' of biodiversity by investigating several aspects of biodiversity and how this links into ecosystem services.

Ecology provides analytical procedures for studying relationships between organisms and their environment and therefore has an obvious role in both applied conservation management and environmental assessment. Using a series of case studies, guest lectures and related site visits the module familiarises the student with the relevant environmental legislation and discusses the basic science behind ecosystem degradation and management. The module places strong emphasis on the type and level of detail required for describing and evaluating the ecological baseline of an environmental assessment in the UK with potential applications overseas. The module will ultimately inform the student of the techniques that can be used to reliably monitor, detect and allow better management of human impacts on the natural environment.