Wildlife Ecology and Conservation BSc (Hons)

Wildlife populations across the planet have declined by nearly 70% since 1970. There is growing recognition that conservation efforts need to be more effective and better targeted to help slow, and reverse, the loss of biodiversity. Conservation specialists with excellent knowledge of ecology and an appreciation of the socio-economic factors which underpin successful conservation are needed to meet these challenges.

Our new Wildlife Ecology and Conservation draws on years of dedicated research and teaching expertise in terrestrial ecology and conservation and marine ecology and conservation . Here at Bangor University you will gain detailed understanding of wide ranging and interlinked aspects of ecology and conservation - with an emphasis on terrestrial and marine environments. Important themes include ecology and evolution, as well as behaviour change, evidence-based conservation, human-wildlife coexistence, and international conservation policy.

Our location, nestled between the Menai Strait and Snowdonia National Park, offers unrivalled opportunities for learning about ecology and conservation outside the classroom. We run practical classes in a wide variety of habitats (from the coast to the mountains) and in a variety of conservation settings (from zoos to nature reserves). We run optional field courses in tropical conservation which makes use of our decades of international collaborations in tropical regions.

Why choose Bangor University for this degree course?

• TV presenter Steve Backshall is part of our teaching team.
• Field trips – recent examples include Arizona, Florida, India, Canada or the Carribbean.
• Our location offers unrivalled opportunities for learning about ecology, conservation and the natural environment outside the classroom.
• We have close links with many local conservation organisations including Chester Zoo, the Wildlife Trusts, the RSPB, and the Welsh Mountain Zoo, which help students gain experience of conservation from those working in the field.
• We have excellent links with conservation organisations throughout the world. Staff and students are currently working in Madagascar, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ghana, Kenya and Bangladesh.

Offers are tariff based, 96 - 128 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g.:

• A Levels: Including grade C in a science subject at A2 level (e.g. Biology, Geography, Geology, Environmental Sciences/Studies, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Economics, Statistics, Psychology); General Studies and Key Skills not accepted.
• BTEC National Extended Diploma in a relevant subject (e.g. Countryside Management, Applied Science, Forestry & Arboriculture, or Animal Management)**: MMM - DDM
• Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in a relevant subject (e.g. Countryside Management, Applied Science, Forestry & Arboriculture, or Animal Management)**: MMM - DDM
• Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Applied Science or Laboratory Skills**: MMM – DDM
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Pass required, including H5 in a Science subject.
• Access: Science/Environmental based Access courses considered.
• Welsh Baccalaureate: We will accept this qualification in conjunction with other level 3 qualifications
• T Levels: T Levels in a relevant subject considered on a case-by-case basis
• Extended Project Qualification: Points can include a relevant Extended Project (EPQ) but must include a minimum 2 full A-levels, or equivalent.

We are happy to accept combinations of the qualifications listed above, as well as alternative Level 3 qualifications such as City & Guilds, Access and Cambridge Technical Diplomas.

We also welcome applications from mature learners.

International Candidates: school leaving qualifications that are equivalent to A levels/Level 3 and/or college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information can be found on our International pages.

*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.
**Similar subject areas may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Graduates from this course will develop practical skills associated with laboratory and/or field situations highly sought after by employers, including: the ability to plan, implement a scientific research, collect the necessary data safely and ethically, perform the relevant statistical analysis, and report on results in a concise, clear and precise manner. You will also be able to properly formulate research questions, to identify appropriate methods for answering them, and to use scientific and social information to inform decision making and management.

Relevant future careers may include environmental managers, ecologists or conservation advisors in terrestrial and aquatic contexts, in the UK and overseas. Or, you may choose to pursue further study and research.

It is possible to take the course as either a three-year degree or over four years with a placement year working with a relevant conservation organisation in the UK or overseas.