Programme Specifications

N/A

Biosciences with consideration of Environmental Sciences

August 2024

The course will provide students with the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge underpinning the broad field of wildlife conservation and management. Core modules will ensure that students have a firm grounding in conservation biology, including aspects of policy and habitat management, but focused primarily on ecology / whole-organism biology. Optional modules will offer students the chance to specialize in specific areas of wildlife conservation. The scheme will equip students to develop further their creativity in the field of wildlife conservation.

Subject specific skills

To provide students with knowledge of the importance of Planet Earth as the background to biodiversity and conservation. Students will gain an understanding of the geological and evolutionary processes that have shaped key habitats and the interactions between these habitats and the wildlife they support.

An appreciation of the importance of conserving biodiversity and a range of scales, from genetic diversity to biomes and ecosystems.

An understanding of approaches to conserving species, habitats and ecosystems.

An understanding of the relevant policy that underlies biological conservation and environmental management.

An awareness of the legal, moral, ethical and social elements of conservation alongside other human activities including leisure and agriculture.

Generic and graduate skills

To develop a critical and analytical approach in all aspects of study and problem solving, including the ability to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively and be able to communicate their understanding.

To enable and develop effective teamwork and communication skills, particularly via field and laboratory activities

To engender a confidence to learn by responding positively and proactively to feedback provided.

To develop strong communication skills both orally and in writing.

To show awareness of associated industries, stakeholders needs and impacts.

The overarching objective of the degree is to give students an holistic course that covers all aspects of wildlife conservation. The programme will be grounded firmly in the background scientific knowledge and ecological concepts that need to be applied to the conservation of endangered flora and fauna.

A1 Describe, discuss and understand the key biological concepts and phenomena relevant to the Wildlife Conservation programme confidently, accurately and in detail, using appropriate terminology.

A2 Be aware of the full breadth of Wildlife Conservation, from molecular to cellular, and from organism to ecosystem.

A3 Engage with literature from the Biosciences to develop insight into the subject.

A4 Appreciate the contribution of Wildlife Conservation to the innovations that characterise the modern world, and the potential of Biosciences graduates from this field to develop sustainable solutions to current and future challenges.

A5 Stay up to date with advances in Wildlife Conservation, including aspects of sustainability, and appreciate the fluid nature of knowledge that evolves as new findings emerge.

Learning and Teaching Lectures

Tutorials

Case-studies

Fieldwork

Laboratory practicals

Literature-based research

Computer-assisted learning

Active and interactive learning

Research leading to a Dissertation

Assessment Strategies and Methods Written examinations and coursework, including:

Multiple-choice examination questions

Short-answer examination questions

Essay-style examination questions

Oral and poster presentations

Article and report writing

Practical write-ups

Submission of a Dissertation

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

B1 Recognise the relationships and interfaces between Wildlife Conservation and other subjects (both scientific and outside of the sciences), such that they are able to operate effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.

B2 Apply ethical awareness to working in the Biosciences and Wildlife Conservation, appreciate the historical context of the subject and the societal impacts of advances in the Biosciences.

Learning and Teaching
Lectures
Tutorials
Case-studies
Fieldwork
Laboratory practicals
Literature-based research
Computer-assisted learning
Active and interactive learning
Research leading to a Dissertation

Assessment Strategies and Methods
Written examinations and coursework, including:
Multiple-choice examination questions
Short-answer examination questions
Essay-style examination questions
Oral and poster presentations
Article and report writing
Practical write-ups
Submission of a Dissertation

10.2.2 Professional practical skills / Discipline Specific Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

C1 Apply knowledge and understanding of biological systems and methodologies to design experiments and to solve theoretical and practical problems, with awareness of appropriate controls, possible bias, ethics and sustainability.

C2 Describe, document and enact safe working practices in terms of managing biological, chemical, laboratory or field-based risk, through knowledge-based risk assessments and practical activities.

C3 Select and carry out appropriate quantitative and qualitative practical (laboratory, field or computational) techniques to solve problems relevant to the Equine science programme, including consideration of the theoretical basis and limitations of various techniques.

C4 Complete independent open-ended investigative work through a project/research-based assignment relevant to the course. This could be a laboratory or field-based project, an evidenced-based review, and/or collecting and evaluating data from a variety of sources.

C5 Collect qualitative and quantitative data from investigations relevant to the course and analyse and interpret this data to allow testing of hypotheses, contextualising of findings, presentation of findings, and suggestions for further lines of investigation.

Learning and Teaching
Laboratory practicals
Fieldwork
Class activities / case-studies
Research leading to a Dissertation

Assessment Strategies and Methods
Oral and poster presentations
Article and report writing
Practical write-ups
Submission of a Dissertation

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

D1 Acquire skills in research and data analysis.

D2 Deploy mathematical and statistical concepts, processes and tools, such as the manipulation of equations and graphical and statistical analysis, to solve problems or evaluate data.

D3 Develop problem-solving and creative thinking skills.

D4 Develop a thorough grounding in information technology skills and use appropriate databases, computational techniques and tools to aid further understanding of and insight into biological processes.

D5 Demonstrate the ability to work independently.

D6 Demonstrate time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines.

D7 Develop the ability to express ideas and communicate effectively, in both written and oral forms, selecting appropriate content, media and methods for the audience, purpose and subject.

D8 Demonstrate self-motivation and self-reliance.

D9 Collaborate and work successfully and inclusively in a group environment, contributing positively and flexibly to team outputs.

D10 Act professionally, with due regard for legal, ethical and societal responsibilities, modelling good practice that promotes positive, sustainable and inclusive perceptions of the Biosciences and of Bioscientists.

Learning and Teaching
Transferable key skills are an integral component of many modules and related to relevant assessments, including:

Tutorials / seminars

Problem-based learning

Self-directed learning

Written work

Individual and group-based project work

Oral and poster presentation

Assessment Strategies and Methods
Transferable / key skills are embedded throughout the various assessments. Generic skills include note taking, researching, problem solving, report writing, oral presentation, interview and communication skills.