Course summary

This course has a highly practical emphasis involving hands-on exercises in field and laboratory settings. In the field, you will cover identification skills for a wide range of species, as well as industry-standard survey techniques such as phase 1 habitat surveying, habitat condition assessments, national vegetation classification and bird territory mapping. Laboratory sessions will include use of microscopes in taxonomy and analysis of environmental parameters such as water oxygen levels and soil nutrient status to enable better understanding of species–environment interactions. There are numerous opportunities to apply academic theory by working on projects with linked organisations, including the Royal Society of Biology, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and Natural England. You’ll gain valuable experience with field trips to nature reserves in the Severn Vale, Cotswolds and South Wales. There are also opportunities to undertake international fieldwork.* The course is underpinned by the research expertise of the applied ecology teaching team, including practical conservation, biotic responses to climate change, avian and mammal biology, insect behaviour and evolution, non-native species introductions, population and community ecology, and environmental biology. There is considerable optionality in the course, both in choice of modules and in assessment topics within modules, to allow students to tailor course content to their own interests and career aspirations. Modules

• Applied Conservation

• Practical Ecological Methods

• Field Ecology

• Ecological Interactions

• Citizen Science and Public Engagement

• Geographic Information Systems

• Environmental Pollution and Remediation

• Environmental Governance and Decision Making