Ecology and Conservation

Ecologists work to protect natural environments and habitats. Their research is essential to understanding the relationship between plants and animals, how different ecosystems are structured, and how human activities impact the places they call home. From this, they develop conservation strategies that tackle the most pressing global, environmental challenges. Could you use your passion for nature and conservation to help protect wildlife and their habitats?

What to expect

Our three-year BSc Hons Ecology and Conservation degree will combine ecological theory and practice through lectures and tutorials, field trips and lab work. In Year 1, you will be introduced to key topics such as ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation.

As you progress into Year 2, you will begin to hone your interests by choosing from a range of optional modules, with topics including organismal biology, remote sensing technologies, and environmental sciences.

In Year 3, you will undertake an independent research project with support from our renowned team of research-active academics. This will be conducted alongside more advanced modules.

Getting out in the field

As part of your degree you will gain hands-on experience in the field, giving you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with current conservation efforts and a variety of ecosystems and the species that live in them.

You will visit a Scottish island to explore a diverse range of land and marine habitats, observing animals including tiny nudibranchs and starfish, the local grey seal population, red deer and mountain hares, ospreys and golden eagles, and potentially even the elusive basking shark.

You might also explore the Rift Valley of Kenya, where you will evaluate the challenge of balancing tropical conservation and human activity.

Personal development

You will explore a number of unique habitats and ecosystems throughout your degree, whether locally or overseas. This hands-on experience will help you develop key conservations skills, alongside a range of transferable skills desired by employers; some of which include environmental sampling, data handling, analysis, communication, and surveying and identification of wildlife.

3 things our ecology and conservation students want you to know:

• Lancaster is a great choice for getting closer than ever to nature. The University’s location means you can quickly access two national parks, the Lake District World Heritage Site and the Yorkshire Dales, and a number of nature reserves and forest areas. Plus, many students join LUSU Green, a group run by the Students’ Union, who are working to create thriving natural environments on campus

• There’s no better way to understand ecology than by taking it in for yourself. Our students tell us the global fieldwork experiences are some of the most valuable, helping them explore new environments and building their confidence

• Ecology and conservation impacts every area of our economy, so your future career is likely to be more varied than you think. More and more global environmentally focused careers are becoming available, and your insight will be highly valued by employers