Mbio Ecology and Conservation
Lincoln, United Kingdom
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2024
TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
Conserving biodiversity and avoiding the extinction of species are huge global challenges. It has never been more important for scientists to understand organisms and ecosystems, and how they respond to the threats they face.
Ecology and Conservation at Lincoln seeks to explore the natural world, from individuals to populations, and communities to ecosystems. Students are able to examine how organisms interact with each other and their environment, and how these processes are affected by human activities. This helps them to understand the planetary ecosystem and how it responds to environmental change. Students can learn key practical skills that professional ecologists and conservation practitioners are looking for in graduates.
The course offers a diverse programme that aims to provide a firm grounding in the principles of ecology and conservation. It aims to enable students to specialise in the areas that interest them. It is taught by research-active staff in both the Department of Life Sciences and Department of Geography, who specialise in a wide range of disciplines across evolution, ecology, zoology, and environmental health. Key industry-relevant skills are taught by practitioners from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and Forestry England, as well as speakers from a range of employers from across the sector.
Alongside fully-funded day trips throughout the degree to locations which have previously included Kew Gardens and the Millennium Seed Bank, this course also includes a fully-funded residential field trip in the UK to study ecology in a field setting. There is an additional optional overseas field trip in the third year where previous students have visited the Andean Cloud Forest in Ecuador, the Mankwe Wildlife Reserve in South Africa, and boreal forests in Finland. Those who choose to participate in the international trip are required to pay for their own flights but accommodation and meals at the field site are covered by the University.
Students have the chance to develop practical skills in species identification and environmental surveying, as well as 'soft' skills in scientific methods and communication, which can be invaluable in many workplaces, but are especially critical for ecology and conservation.
What You Need to Know
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.
Overseas Field Trip
There is an optional overseas field trip in the third year. This will provide the opportunity to do research in a novel environment and to study local plants and animals. Destinations may vary, but have previously included the cloud forests of Ecuador, the Mankwe Wildlife Reserve in South Africa, and Molise in Italy.
Optional field trips may incur additional costs, including flights. Students may also be required to pay for overnight stays, local travel, and food close to the destination if their flights arrive the day before the team are scheduled to meet.
Students may bring personal items of clothing and travel equipment, some of which may be specialised for the environment they are travelling to, and recommended medicines and travel toiletries such as anti-malaria medication, vaccinations, insect repellent and sunscreen. These costs will depend on what you choose to bring.
"This information was correct at the time of publishing (July 2023)"
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. The University of Lincoln offers a variety of merit-based and subject-specific bursaries and scholarships.
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the University of Lincoln website for more information.
Curriculum
How You Study
This degree is designed to provide a broad understanding of the key aspects of ecology and conservation, and emphasises gaining practical skills in the field and laboratory.
In the first year, students have the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of biological concepts, including ecology, animal and plant anatomy and physiology, as well as key skills in environmental monitoring.
During the second year, more specialist modules include evolution, conservation biology, and plant-animal interactions. Students can choose from a selection of optional modules to align their studies with areas of particular interest.
There is an emphasis on independent research in the third year, and students are expected to undertake a substantial research project, as well as modules to develop critical scientific skills. This degree combines demonstrations with hands-on work in-lab or in-field.
Students will also have the opportunity to develop their ability to communicate scientific knowledge effectively, in different contexts, different formats and to different recipients.
This four-year MBio programme includes an additional research-intensive final year and may lead to further research and employment opportunities.
First Year
- Comparative Anatomy and Physiology of Animals (Core)
- Earth Observation & GIS (Core)
- Ecology (Core)
- Plant Structure and Function (Core)
- Practical Field Skills in Ecology (Core)
- Research Methods for the Life Sciences (Core)
- Sustainable Environments & Ecosystems (Core)
Second Year
- Conservation Biology (Core)
- Data Skills for the Life Sciences (Core)
- Evolution (Core)
- Managing Ecosystems (Core)
- UK Field Course (Core)
- Animal Behaviour (Option)†
- Biogeography & Planetary Health (Option)†
- Climatology and Quaternary Science (Option)†
- Human Impacts on the Environment (Option)†
- Invertebrate and Vertebrate Zoology (Option)†
- SLS Study Abroad (Option)†
Third Year
- Global Change Biology (Core)
- Life Sciences Research Project (Core)
- Plant and Animal Interactions (Core)
- Practical Skills in Conservation (Core)
- Soil Biology (Core)
- Behavioural Ecology (Option)†
- Coastal Systems and Global Change (Option)†
- Environmental Management (Option)†
- Overseas Field Course (Option)†
- Palaeobiology (Option)†
Master's Level
- Professional and Research Skills in the Life and Environmental Sciences (Core)
- MBio Research project (Core)
- MBio Research techniques (Core)
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
How You Are Assessed
Examples of assessment methods that are used include coursework, such as written assignments, videos, reports or dissertations; and written exams, such as formal examinations or in-class tests. The weighting given to each assessment method may vary across each academic year.
Program Outcome
How You Study
This degree is designed to provide a broad understanding of the key aspects of ecology and conservation, and emphasises gaining practical skills in the field and laboratory.
In the first year, students have the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of biological concepts, including ecology, animal and plant anatomy and physiology, as well as key skills in environmental monitoring.
During the second year, more specialist modules include evolution, conservation biology, and plant-animal interactions. Students can choose from a selection of optional modules to align their studies with areas of particular interest.
There is an emphasis on independent research in the third year, and students are expected to undertake a substantial research project, as well as modules to develop critical scientific skills. This degree combines demonstrations with hands-on work in-lab or in-field.
Students will also have the opportunity to develop their ability to communicate scientific knowledge effectively, in different contexts, different formats and to different recipients.
This four-year MBio programe includes an additional research-intensive final year and may lead to further research and employment opportunities.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities for Ecology and Conservation graduates may include teaching, environmental consultancy, applied conservation in the UK or internationally, and science journalism. Graduates may choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level.