Course summary

The HNC Animal Behaviour and Wildlife Conservation is designed to develop your interest, knowledge and understanding of the behaviour of animals and the issues that affect their conservation. The course focuses on animals in their natural environments. Whichever elements of the course you prefer, at the end of your studies you will be able to use the knowledge of the behaviour and biology of animals in order to contribute effectively to their protection and conservation. Importantly, you will have lots of opportunities to develop your practical skills in behavioural observation, species survey and habitat assessment. The emphasis will be on wildlife species and their conservation in the UK, with field visits and residential fieldwork integral to the course, however there is also a distinct international perspective to your studies as we draw on examples from around the world. You will use subject-specific IT, including geographical information systems, digital media, Global Positioning Systems and animal tracking technologies. The species you will encounter cover the entire range from the animals found in your immediate environment, such as garden birds and butterflies, through to more exotic species mammals such as wolves, tigers and elephants. The mix of field-based information collection and recording, practical activity and class-based work you will do is unmatched in most other subject areas. The degree will allow you to pursue your passion for animals and give you a head-start in securing your ideal career, as well as giving you experiences that will last a lifetime. The course develops theory, descriptive and skills-based study in order to prepare the student for post-18 entry to the world of employment or specifically to provide the underpinning required to move to higher level study at levels 5 and above. The course challenges the student to apply this knowledge to characteristic situations encountered in wildlife-based work. As an HNC Animal Behaviour and Wildlife Conservations student you will have experience of a diverse mix of field-based information collection/recording, practical activity and desk-based work that is unmatched in most other subject areas. The two most distinctive features of the course are: 1. a focus on study outside of the classroom through fieldwork and the development of applied skills; and 2. an equal emphasis on behaviour and conservation allowing the investigation of the effects of one aspect on the other.