Animal Conservation Science BSc (Hons)

University of Cumbria

You’re passionate, engaged and want to protect animals and their habitats. We are here to help, with a course designed by researchers renowned for their expertise in the science of wildlife conservation.You will live, learn and study in the Lake District surrounded by rare and charismatic species – including ospreys, red and roe deer, otters, red squirrels and Atlantic salmon – in a diverse range of ecosystems and habitats, including Atlantic oak woodlands (Britain’s own rainforest).**Course Overview**Here at our Ambleside campus, you will have access to new laboratories and excellent equipment including camera traps, to help you in your studies. Optional modules will enable you to customise your course to ensure it gives you the skills you need for your chosen career. You will be able to get involved in conservation research and to go on an international field trip to learn about wildlife conservation in less-developed countries. Our strong links with wildlife conservation organisations in the UK and abroad, provide you with excellent work placements, volunteering opportunities and job prospects.**On this course you will...**- Benefit from the only UK conservation degrees taught inside a national park. This provides you with easy access to charismatic wildlife and diverse and distinctive habitats and ecosystems.- Be taught by experts in wildlife conservation, each with a strong research portfolio in the conservation of animal species and their habitats.- Enjoy small class sizes which allows us to provide a personal approach to teaching and student support.- Be actively involved in the reintroduction of endangered wildlife species in Cumbria. So you can gain hands-on experience in species reintroduction as part of your degree.- Study in a vibrant community within the landscape of the English Lake District. This provides amazing recreational opportunities and you will live and breathe conservation.**What you will learn**Our degree will give you the knowledge, analytical skills and practical experience to join the fight against the loss of wildlife species and their habitats. A wildlife conservation scientist needs to have a sound knowledge of the worlds’ biodiversity, understanding of the interactions between wildlife and the environment, insight into human influences on wildlife, as well as a number of practical, laboratory and analytical skills. We have designed this programme with these in mind.**Year one**- Conservation Skills and Practice- Introduction to Conservation Biology- Biodiversity 1- Biodiversity 2- Introduction to Ecology- Animal Biology**Year two**- Biodiversity Monitoring- Evolution and Biogeography- Conservation Genetics- Research Methods and Data Analysis- Animal Behaviour- Geographic Information Systems (Optional)- Valuing the Environment (Optional)- Environmental Change Biology (Optional)**Year Three**- Dissertation- Behavioural Ecology- Applied Field Studies- Wildlife Management- Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing (Optional)- Contemporary Issues in Conservation (Optional)- Conservation Strategies (Optional)