Overview
We're in the middle of a biodiversity crisis; the sixth mass extinction event on Earth. Over half of the world's wildlife has vanished in the last fifty years.
There is unprecedented pressure on the environment due to exploitation, habitat degradation and loss, climate change, invasive species, pollution and emerging diseases. You can be part of something to help address these problems.
Ecological Management and Conservation Biology highlights
Each week there is a day trip to experience the practicalities of what you've learned in class and to see ecological management in-the-field.
Industry Links
•Ecological researchers in the School of Biological Sciences maintain close links between academia and government departments responsible for the maintenance of biodiversity. Weekly day trips also include input from conservation charities, environmental consultants, zoological gardens, museums, nature reserve managers and independent research institutes.
Career Development
•You don't have to necessarily work in a conservation-orientated environment - previous students have gone to places as unusual as art galleries where they have created scientifically inspired artwork as an alternative method for scientific communication outreach.
World Class Facilities
•Laboratory facilities and access to field facilities are excellent and include a fully equipped Marine Laboratory at Portaferry on Strangford Lough.
Internationally Renowned Experts
•You will taught by staff with research profiles of international standing, with a wide range of interests in ecological management and conservation biology covering taxa from algae to mammals and environments from marine to terrestrial.
Student Experience
•You'll take part in a class conservation biology project before being given the option to under a professional work placement project.
•Dr Neil Reid is the Course Director. He wants to move students away from sitting in dry academic lectures to get you out into the real world to acquire the skills you'll need for a job in conservation.
Learning and Teaching
Learning opportunities associated with this course are outlined below:
You'll be part of a small, informal and chatty class. You're encouraged to butt-in and ask questions. You'll get to know your classmates and your lecturers well during field trips. You are expected to become an integral part of the School of Biological Sciences and are invited to staff and postgraduate student coffee mornings each Thursday.