Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology

Human impact on the natural world has left a devastating impact on global wildlife habitats and biodiversity. Be part of the solution by building conservation theory and practice with our BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology degree.

There has never been a more urgent time to fight the loss of biodiversity. To be part of the solution, you will need strong theoretical knowledge and practical skills to save our precious wildlife and ecosystems. We’ve designed this course to provide you with an understanding of wildlife, biodiversity and conservation alongside specialist knowledge of conservation in zoos.

Take your scientific knowledge and skills further
Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, our course focuses on understanding biological process and exploring conservation in zoos and out in the wild. Across three years of study - or four if you choose to include an industry placement, you will advance your wildlife knowledge, covering specialist topics such as behavioural ecology, conservation biology and zoo animal management. You will experience hands-on learning in our advanced Bodmer laboratories, and develop transferable skills interpreting biological field data.

We put fieldwork at the heart of your learning experience. You will experience field trips including day visits to local zoo, as well and residential trips in the UK and abroad, depending on which modules you choose. In recent years, students have taken part in residential trips to Cumbria, Scotland, Shropshire and Gambia.

Get closer to industry
Focusing on real-world issues, you will balance theoretical learning with practical skill building, both in our laboratories on campus, and through UK and international field trips, which will provide you with real world experiences. We also regularly invite wildlife professionals and practitioners to share their knowledge through guest lectures.

During your studies, you will also have the option to include an industry placement between years two and three. Previous wildlife students have completed work placements both in the UK and overseas at organisations such as the Orangutan Tropical Peatland Project in Borneo, Serra dos Órgãos National Park in Brazil or closer to home at Blackpool Zoo or Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

You can also join our award-winning wildlife student society, where we can get involved with activities such as nature-spotting events, animal surveys, online talks, film screenings and many more social events to meet like-minded students.

Features
• Built specialist knowledge of conservation theory and practice with a dual focus on the wild and zoos.
• Experience residential field trips opportunities
• Include an optional industry placement year in the UK or overseas
• Part-time study option available
• Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology

Year One:

• Biodiversity
• Global Distribution Wildlife
• Study Skills
• Introduction to Zoo Biology
• Field Biology
• Genes to Ecosystems

Year Two:

• Conservation in Zoos
• Wildlife Behavioural Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Research Skills

Choose two options from:

• Primate Behaviour and Conservation
• University Wide Language Programme
• Animal Evolution (Marine and Wildlife)
• Ecology in Action
• Biological and Wildlife Documentation

Year Three:

• Zoo and Exhibit Design
• Practical Ecology and Conservation
• Final Year Project and Professional Skills

Choose two options from:

• Animal Cognition and Social Complexity (Wildlife)
• Environmental Geographical Information Systems
• Tropical Ecology and Conservation
• Bird Biology and Conservation
• University Wide Language Programme

Assessment strategies are designed to develop your skills for future employability and assessment success. We regularly provide you with feedback via written communication, online notes, and group activities.

Typical assessment combines coursework and examination, and this will vary depending on your level of study. We also use other formal, informal and continuous assessment methods that could include:

• Research projects
• Laboratory reports
• Essays
• Literature reviews
• Field notebooks
• Data analysis
• Presentations