Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Threatened Species

  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.  
   

• Animal Behaviour

  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. 
   

• Career Development

  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.
   

• Data Carpentry

  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.  

• Field Course: Surveys and Licensing

  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.

• Environment change

  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. 
   

Optional modules

Year 3 (optional placement year)

Optional modules

Year 4 (or year 3 if no placement)

Compulsory modules

• Project

  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. 

• Professional Skills and Techniques

  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.

• Advanced Topics in Wildlife Conservation

  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. 

• Interpreting Ecological and Environmental Complexity

  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.  

   

• Environmental Consultancy

  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 and Humanity

  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. 
   

Optional modules

Integrated MBiol

Compulsory modules

• Research Practice

  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.

Optional modules