| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-04-24 | 2023-02-10 |
| 2023-09-19 | 2023-01-27 |
| 2024-01-03 | 2023-11-25 |
Program Overview
Course overview
This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills. Please note that the accreditation applies to Levels 4, 5 and 6 of the Single Honours programme only.
Develop vital employer-desired skills while studying the ever-interesting field of animal behaviour. With an emphasis on free-living, wild animals you will follow a scientifically driven programme of work that develops your fundamental skills and knowledge and then uses them in cutting-edge applied contexts such as conservation and welfare sciences.
Why study this course with us?
A key strength of the Animal Behaviour degree is that it is firmly rooted in the biological sciences and adopts a rigorous scientific approach to the study of the behaviour of animals. As well as exploring the behaviour of charismatic animals, we embrace a wide taxonomic range of species and have a good focus on some of the groups less emphasised elsewhere, such as amphibians and invertebrates.
These groups have really interesting behaviour in their own right (cockroaches have personalities for example... and frogs can experience stress...) but are also a crucial part of temperate and tropical ecosystems – understanding their behaviour is vital for wider habitat conservation. Whilst the emphasis is mainly on wild animals you can study behaviour in more managed environments: e.g. determining best husbandry and conservation breeding for endangered animals in zoos; best practice pet welfare; farm animal management. Our staff have real enthusiasm for their subject and bring great expertise from their research fields.
In the 2020 NSS, 92% of students agreed that this course provided them with opportunities to bring subject information from different topics, to access and use learning resources, and to provide feedback.
Program Outline
Teaching methods
There is a lively mix of tutor-led lectures, seminars, practicals and fieldwork (with overseas opportunities). Problem-solving group work and other student-led activities inspire independence and leadership skills.
Assessment
Assessment is via exams – MCQs/essays (roughly 50%) – and innovative coursework, including news items, tweets, blogs and mind maps alongside more traditional critiques, scientific reports and essays.
Work based learning
As part of your studies you may take our
Work Based Learning
module, where you will be fully supported in securing a work placement of at least 150 hours, which you may be able to use in trying out a future career. Alternatively, you may wish to undertake Experiential Overseas Learning, where you can take advantage of our long-established links with organisations worldwide. Most students have the opportunity to undertake either one of these options as an integral part of their undergraduate course.
Careers service
The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
Careers and Employability - Student Services aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.
Students and graduates of the University of Chester can use our services free of charge for up to two years after graduating.
The location
The campus is close to the city centre of Chester, a city like no other and an amazing place to live as a student. While it is undoubtedly beautiful and packed with history, Chester is also a bustling 21st-century city balancing big-name shopping, eating and living with a thriving independent scene.
