Animal Behaviour and Conservation

From ragworms and rhinos to locusts and lemurs, the animal world is an ever-changing and always-fascinating place to explore. On our BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Conservation degree you can delve in and discover it all – developing an understanding of the vast range and huge importance of animal behaviour.

With us, you’ll consider the drivers of different types of animal behaviour, looking at the interaction of genetics, evolutionary history and present-day environments. You’ll also investigate how and why behaviour changes over an animal’s lifetime, from genetic and hormonal factors to the physiological and environmental mechanisms. You will be equipped with the tools needed in conservation and will study real-world examples of how species and their habitats can be conserved.

Through a blend of laboratory and fieldwork, we’ll show you how to record behavioural data and use professional-grade software for its analysis – vital tools in improving the welfare, management and conservation of domestic, zoo and wild populations. Our animal behaviour and conservation course also provides the option of spending an extra year expanding your horizons, either studying with one of our partner universities overseas, or working on a placement with a business or non-governmental organisation.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• Explore the topics and issues that shape the world around us and choose from a range of exciting and rewarding specialisms within animal behaviour, conservation and biology.

• You can take the four-year route, spending a year studying overseas in Europe, North America or Australia, or boosting your career prospects with a 9-12 month placement.

• Develop practical skills in the laboratory and in the field, both in the UK and overseas – that could include fieldwork in Portugal or Tanzania.

• We are investing £115m to transform the way we teach and you learn in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Our new Dalton building will enhance collaboration between students, staff and industry and provide new and improved teaching spaces, including a 200-student capacity Superlab.

• Learn in high-specification laboratories which include specialist microbiology and molecular biology equipment, industry-standard microscopes and specialist facilities for studying animal behaviour and physiology, as well as controlled environment plant growth chambers and glasshouses, a well-equipped store for fieldtrips, and specialist computing facilities for GIS, behavioural tracking and more.

• Strong links to zoological, conservation and other animal organisations, including Chester Zoo and the RSPCA.

• We have embedded career preparation activities into each year of your course to help build your confidence to apply for your future graduate career.

• Manchester is on the doorstep of the Peak District National Park and within two hours’ drive of three other National Parks, making it an ideal location to study animal behaviour and conservation.