FdSc Practical Wildlife Management (with Foundation Year)

Program Overview

This three-year Practical Wildlife Management program, with an optional Foundation Year, provides a comprehensive education in wildlife management. It equips students with the scientific knowledge, practical skills, and professional development necessary for careers in wildlife conservation and management. The program offers field experiences, industry placements, and opportunities to contribute to ongoing research, preparing students for success in the field.

Program Outline

Practical Wildlife Management (with Foundation Year) - FdSc

Degree Overview:

This course is designed for those passionate about wildlife and conservation. It focuses on providing the latest scientific knowledge and practical skills to succeed in the field of wildlife management. The program aims to equip students with the skills needed to support the work of conservation organizations in Wales and across the UK.

Objectives:

The program aims to:

• Develop a deep understanding of ecological concepts, processes, and principles.
• Train students in the latest scientific knowledge and practical skills for wildlife management.
• Equip students with the knowledge and skills to identify, survey, and manage protected species.
• Prepare students for professional roles in wildlife management and conservation.

Outline:

The program is a 3-year full-time degree with a Foundation Year. It is structured as follows:

Year 1 (Foundation Year):

• The Skills You Need: Develop key academic, personal, and professional skills required for higher education.
• Contextual Studies: Introduces students to a variety of contemporary issues to stimulate discussion, debate, and engagement.
• Science and the Environment: Explores the relationship between the environment and chemical/biological processes and the impact of science on the environment.
• Laboratory and Field Skills in Biology (Biosciences): Thorough training in laboratory skills, including experimental method, health and safety, and the use of laboratory equipment.
Includes ecology and fieldwork, including identification of plants and animals.
• Introduction to Experimental Design and Mathematical Analysis (Biosciences): Covers essential scientific and mathematical skills, including ethics in science, experimental methods, data collection, analysis, probability, and introductory statistics.
• Introduction to Science: Provides students with the fundamental knowledge required for full degree study, including developing scientific skills, gaining a basic knowledge base, and applying science concepts to problem-solving.

Year 2 (Level 4):

• Professional and Academic Development (Core): Equips students with skills and attributes for their chosen sector, including professional codes of practice and skills for academic studies.
• Professional Practice 1 (Core): Integrates professional skills, knowledge, and behaviors into a real-life workplace setting.
• Field Skills and Identification (Core): Introduces students to identifying a range of plants and animals in the field, including their anatomy and how to use identification keys.
• Introduction to Ecology (Core): Examines the relationship between organisms and their environment, including key definitions and complex biotic and abiotic interactions.
• Environmental Ethics (Core): Covers socio-economic, farming, and leisure activities that impact the natural world and their effects on human well-being, animal welfare, and the environment.
• Introduction to Evolution (Core): Explores the history of evolution, from the beginning of life on Earth to current evolutionary trends.
It examines evidence for evolution and the mechanisms of evolution.

Year 3 (Level 5):

• Professional Practice 2 (Core): Builds upon professional skills, knowledge, and behaviors from previous years, focusing on career goals and employability skills.
• Survey Skills for Conservation (Core): Develops identification skills through practical ecological surveys, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting using mapping software.
• Environmental Policy and Law (Core): Introduces national and international environmental legislation and policy frameworks, their purpose, and their impact on ecologists and environmental managers.
• Conservation Management (Core): Covers habitat recognition and management techniques to create, maintain, enhance, and restore conservation value.
• Climate Change and Conservation (Core): Examines natural and anthropogenic changes in the climate, their impact on biomes, habitats, and species, and global efforts to combat climate change.
• Consultancy and Professional Development (Core): Introduces the work of an ecological consultant and their role in the development and planning system.

Assessment:

• A range of assessments: including practicals, reports, and podcasts.
• Individual personal tutors: provide support and guidance.

Teaching:

• Lectures
• Workshops
• Guest speakers
• Online activities: using the University's virtual learning environment.
• Industry placements
• Practical sessions: on the rural campus.
• Educational visits

Careers:

• Ecologist
• Wildlife Reserve Warden/Ranger
• Countryside Ranger/Officer
• Nature Conservation Officer
• Biodiversity Officer
• Conservationist
• Ecological consultants
• Conservation field researchers

Other:

• The program offers students opportunities to contribute to ongoing research into local protected species.
• The teaching team includes ecologists and conservation professionals.
• The course has established industry links across the sector.
• Students can gain work experience in a range of volunteering roles.
• The course provides opportunities to observe the work of Conservation Detection Dogs in practice.
• The course offers a wide range of practical habitat management opportunities locally available – including sand dunes, woodland, hay meadow, upland, wetland, mountain, freshwater, brackish, and marine environments.