About This Course
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.
Course Content
You will take modules totalling 120 credits each year and these will comprise a mixture of lectures, practicals and interactive exercises, as well as field trips and tutorials. Modules become more specialised as the degree progresses.
During the first year you will follow compulsory modules, setting the foundation on which to build your degree. In the second and final year, in addition to compulsory modules, you will also be able to select optional modules to suit your core interests. This will also allow you to gain a set of skills and expertise that are unique to you. Assessment is by a mixture of formal examination and continuous assessment. Welsh medium modules are also available.
Please note course content is for guidance purposes only. Due to ongoing quality review of our programmes, the modules we offer may be subject to annual change. We do this to maintain the excellence of our programmes.
In Year 1, students will take 120 credits in compulsory modules.
Ecology & Evolution: This module provides an overview of ecology and evolution and introduces genetic diversity and evolution, evolutionary trees and their meaning, community ecology, population ecology, marine biodiversity and sustainability and animal behavioural ecology.
Ecosystem Function & Services: In this module you will learn about the fundamentals of Biodiversity, how Ecosystems function and the main reasons for collapse. By the end of the module you will also be aware of the important role that soils play in supporting many of the services our ecosystems give us. Lectures are augmented by one field trip and two laboratory practical classes where you learn practical skills to interpret the importance of Carbon and Nitrogen cycling, measuring the main Nitrogenous compounds in soils and observe the main functional components of plants and how they transport water and nutrients.
Environmental Management & Conservation: This fascinating module brings together conservation, environmental management, and environmental economics to explore what influences and drives decision-making in humans. Conservation issues will be explored in both terrestrial (land) and marine contexts through a series of case studies. We consider why environmental management is such a key part to companies and organisations across many sectors, and we look at some of the methods used by environmental managers to assess and mitigate impacts of development on the environment. The last part explores the importance of economics in determining how the environment is used.
Organismal Diversity: This module tackles the complexity and diversity of life. The way that organisms are shaped by evolution and interact with their environments is key. This module aims to build an awareness of this and, hopefully, will spark an enthusiasm for some groups you did not know existed before you embarked on the module and foster an appreciation for the variety of life on Earth. This module provides the general underpinning of background knowledge required for modules that specialise in the various vertebrate classes in second year.
Practical and Field Skills for Environmental Scientists: This module gives you a broad introduction to the scientific method, the collection and analysis of data, and the presentation of results. The broad nature of delivery of this module will show the great variety of ways to engage with the topic – from the theory to the lab, to the field. The field visits capitalise on the fantastic diversity of landscapes around Bangor – the best classroom for learning. You will perform regular laboratory- and field-based experiments, with associated lectures and data analysis workshops. These sessions will run alongside and complement material delivered in other first year modules and prepare you for subsequent years of study.
Tutorials module: In this module you will work in small tutorial groups to explore current developments and research and learn to communicate effectively. You will also start to become involved in the research community of the School. The module also gives you the opportunity to start to identify and develop your specific interests within your broader area of study.
Please note course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
In Year 02, you will take 60 credits in compulsory modules:
- Becoming a Researcher covers basic statistical techniques and methods, and the experimental design considerations needed for you to begin your final year dissertation. It will involve building confidence and competence in statistical analysis. The module will widen and deepen your appreciation of quantitative data analysis and of the decisions and trade-offs involved when designing studies.
- Conservation Practice focusses firmly on the interdisciplinary skills needed in conservation practice. There is a strong emphasis on training you in the design and implementation of surveys and monitoring and on how these are used to inform conservation. We will use a range of case studies (developed and implemented in partnership with conservation organisations) to ensure that you gain a good understanding of a wide range of challenges faced in implementing effective conservation such as legislation and the UK law relating to habitat protection. The module was developed, and is delivered, with input from conservation organisations and employers (for example, the British Trust for Ornithology, the North Wales Wildlife Trust and ecological consultancies).
- Principles of Conservation zones in on the key, underpinning principles of conservation. It investigates the key drivers of species decline, such as habitat loss, over-harvesting, invasive species, climate change. The teaching comprises a combination of face-to-face lectures and field trips looking in depth at several of the key components species decline and possible mitigations for further loss. You will develop an in depth understanding of ecosystem degradation and its central role in providing a habitable planet for humans and all other forms life within the biosphere. We also explore potential solutions to the many problems, so it's not all doom and gloom! By the end of the module you will never again view the environment through the same eyes.
You will also be able to select 40 -60 credits from a list of available optional modules (each 20 credits) in topics such as:
- Ecology: Interactions in the Natural World
- Geospatial Data Skills
- Introduction to Primatology
- Marine Ecology
- Marine Zoology & Ecosystems
- Behavioural Ecology
- Introduction to Herpetology
- Introduction to Ornithology
- Plant Diversity and Conservation
There is also the opportunity to take an optional fieldtrip module. Available Fieldtrip options may include:
- Arizona Desert Herpetology and Entomology
- Florida Field Course (2): Ecology & Conservation of Subtropical Wetlands
- India Field Course
- Life in the North: Canadian Field Ecology
- Tropical Conservation Field Course
- Tropical marine zoology: Caribbean field course
- Field Course: Environmental Conflicts
- Florida Field Course (1): Marine, Freshwater and Terrestrial Biodiversity
- Spain Field Course
Please note course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
In your final year of this course, you will take modules that cover the following topics:
- Advances in Conservation
- Science Communication Skills: 'Science communication’ is used to inform, engage, persuade, change behaviours and support better decision-making. Science communication aims to lift the social, environmental and economic standing of a nation’s people. Science communication revolves around problems in diverse regional and cultural contexts: health, economic opportunity and jobs, urban resiliency, food and agriculture, clean energy, managing the development of new technologies and innovation. It may also support the participation of citizens in setting the agenda for scientific research, a democratic motivation. In this module you will explore research-based, practical ideas and inspiring stories from the field based on conversations with many expert interviewees worldwide, including best-selling popular science authors and leading science communication researchers.
- The Wildlife Ecology & Conservation module goes through the key ecological hypotheses and explains how we can study and use them for the conservation management of wildlife. It lectures and practicals dedicated to occupancy modelling and distance sampling respectively, a practical on field methods such as camera trapping and radio-tracking and a seminar on the role of zoos in modern conservation. It will include a visits to Zoos, as well as various local trips, including making use of Henfaes Agricultural Station, the University Farm. The module provides theoretical and practical knowledge which is foundational for anyone aiming to work in the field of conservation ecology.
In this year you will also select two modules form a list of available options that may include topics such as:
- Applied Botany
- Environmental Policy
- Forest Ecology
- Freshwater Ecosystems 2026-
- Advanced GIS & Remote Sensing
- Forest Ecosystems & Services
- Human Aspects of Conservation
- Life in a Changing Climate
- Marine Conservation and Exploitation
In this year you will also complete a final year Research Dissertation.
Please note course content is for guidance purposes only. Due to ongoing quality review of our programmes, the modules we offer may be subject to annual change. We do this to maintain the excellence of our programmes
Facilities
Natural Sciences facilities
- Natural History Museum with an exceptionally comprehensive collection of vertebrate material, which includes a diverse collection of vertebrate and invertebrate specimens, including primates.
- Extensive marine and freshwater aquaria with a suite of temperature-controlled rooms.
- Pigeon loft for bird cognition, physiology, and biomechanics research.
- Treborth Botanic Garden, which covers an area of 18 hectares on the shores of the Menai Strait. It contains Europe’s largest underground root laboratory (the rhizotron), a teaching laboratory, formal garden beds, a rock garden, an arboretum and a conservation collection.
- Rodent and reptile facilities.
- Our university farm totals 252 hectares. It provides facilities for research and teaching in lowland agriculture, forestry, hydrology, environmental science and conservation. We conduct fieldtrips and you can run your own large-scale experiment for your project.
- Alpaca, sheep and bee hives at the University farm at Henfaes.
- We are on the coast, next to the Irish Sea and the Menai Strait providing a range of habitat types for field courses and study sites for final-year projects.
- Dedicated reptile facilities including venomous snake rooms.
- Environmentally controlled spaces for project work.
- Insect rooms.
- Woodlands.
- Large modern teaching and research laboratories, and a dedicated student research hub for dissertation work.
- Imaging facilities.
- A very large range of analytical kit, so that you can learn how to analyse environmental samples both in the field and in the lab.
- Our very own geology collection – regarded as one of the best in the country.
- Computer laboratories for you to develop your skills in key areas such as digital mapping and environmental modelling.
- Wood library.
- Dedicated environmental research labs.
- One of our best facilities is the environment on our doorstep – you will get the chance to visit so many different places on our fieldtrips, which will cement your learning and understanding of topics.
- Our biological, chemical, and environmental laboratories are used for a range of teaching and learning. We have specific research-laboratories located in the Environmental Centre Wales, which include: a radio and stable isotope lab, a Category 2 pathogen lab, a darkened microscope room, sample preparation laboratories and a dedicated analytical instrument lab.
Entry Requirements
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.
Careers
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.
Foundation Year
A 'with Foundation Year' option is available for this course. Apply for Environmental Science (with Foundation Year).
