Course summary

Wildlife ecology encompasses the study of organisms and their interactions with the environment. As such it has implications for many aspects of human society and development as we tackle major global issues. A number of our degrees are also offered with an additional foundation year (Year 0). Whether you are a school-leaver or someone considering returning to study but don’t have the entry requirements for your chosen subject, a foundation year course may be just what you’re looking for. A foundation year is the first year of a four year programme which: •provides an introduction not only to study at University but also to your chosen subject •offers you a highly supportive environment where you can develop the self-confidence, knowledge, skills and understanding for further study. The natural world is a complex environment, with rapid change and unforeseen consequences arising from human actions. The ability to understand and act upon these changes is a vital part of our shared sustainable future. Our course in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation will provide you with the interdisciplinary expertise and applied skills to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing humanity today. The Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science team is comprised of a passionate multi-disciplinary team of experienced academics whose teaching is informed by their research. It includes experts in small mammal conservation, invasive species, invertebrate specialists and chemical ecologists as well as those working on whole system analysis and human-wildlife interaction. The course has a strong emphasis on the development of practical and employment-relevant skills through a residential field trip and regular field visits to sites around the local area. These will help make your real-world experiences relatable to those of the classroom and will allow you to explore and investigate a variety of natural and human-impacted environments. You will also develop skills for the analysis of environmental samples in our newly opened, state-of-the-art laboratories. Additional options will enable you to learn how to map the environment using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and link environmental processes to sustainability, policy-making and economic development. Over three years you will develop the skills to collect and analyse scientific data independently, leading you towards an independent research project in your third year of studies where you can research a topic of your own choice with specific employment goals in mind. This research can also involve local partners in conservation, such as the Kent Wildlife Trust.