Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology with Foundation Year

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 with Foundation Year 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 monitoring environmental change and habitat conservation and restoration.

Take your scientific knowledge and skills further
The foundation year pathway is ideal if you have a non-scientific background, or you don’t meet the entry requirements for direct entry to the full degree. On successful completion of the foundation year, you will be ready to progress to study our full BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology honours degree, which is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.

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. During your studies, you will also spend time in our advanced Bodmer laboratories, and you might have opportunities to engage with live research projects.

Get closer to industry
Focusing on real-world issues, you will balance theoretical learning with practical skill building. We regularly invite wildlife professionals and practitioners to share their knowledge through guest lectures. 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.

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.

Features
• Build your knowledge with our foundation year ready to progress to the full BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology degree
• Experience residential field trips opportunities
• Include an optional industry placement year in the UK or overseas
• Part-time study option available

This course is not open to international students.

Foundation Year:

• Biological Principles
• Scientific Methods
• Data Handling
• Professional Communications
• Science for Health
• Environmental Conservation

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 one option from:

• Animal Welfare: Science and Practice
• Primate Behaviour and Conservation
• University Wide Language Programme

And one option from the following:

• Animal Evolution (Marine and Wildlife)
• Ecology in Action

Year Three:

• Zoo and Exhibit Design

Choose one option from the following:

• Final Year Project and Professional Skills
• Final Year Project with Science Communication and Professional Skills (HANS)

Plus one option from:

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

And one option from:

• Practical Ecology and Conservation
• Applied Freshwater Biology
• Veterinary and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
• Tropical Ecology 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