BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation at Liverpool John Moores University equips students with knowledge and skills for professional conservation work. Students gain expertise in biology, genetics, ecology, conservation theory, and practical techniques through coursework, fieldwork, and a research project. The program offers a strong foundation for careers in nature reserve management, NGOs, and other conservation-related roles, fostering a culture of environmental sustainability and ethical conservation practices.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation at Liverpool John Moores University is a program designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to work in professional conservation organizations. It addresses the growing concern about biodiversity loss and explores practical and sustainable solutions to halt and reverse it. The program focuses on developing a deep understanding of ecology, genetics, evolution, animal behavior, and environmental sustainability, applying this knowledge to real-world conservation challenges.

Objectives:

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the causes of biodiversity loss.
• Gain practical skills in field surveying, animal and plant identification, GIS, and recording animal behavior.
• Master conservation practice skills, including Habitat Management Plans, protected area designation, zoo conservation, and conservation technology.
• Prepare students for successful careers in wildlife conservation.

Outline:

The BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation is a 3-year full-time program with the option of a 12-month sandwich placement. The program is structured across three levels, with core and optional modules at each level.

Level 4:

• Core Modules:
• Fundamentals of Scientific Research (20 credits): Develops research skills, covering problem-solving, scientific writing, data handling, and statistical analysis.
• Skills for Wildlife Conservation (20 credits): Introduces key practical skills for wildlife conservation, including identification and surveying techniques for animal and plant taxonomic groups, and GIS.
• Evolution and Inheritance (20 credits): Covers fundamentals of evolution and genetics, focusing on concepts impacting animal behavior and conservation.
• Animal Behaviour (20 credits): Introduces the diversity of animal behavior, covering reproduction, foraging, social behavior, and identification of common behaviors in selected species.
• Ecology (20 credits): Provides a basic understanding of ecology and ecological characteristics of various habitats, covering concepts like species and succession, communities and ecosystems, biotic and abiotic elements, nutrient cycling, populations, diversity, and adaptations.
• Environment Society and Sustainability (20 credits): Examines the relationship between environment, society, and sustainability, focusing on issues related to population, economic growth, resource use, and social welfare.

Level 5:

• Core Modules:
• Research Skills and Employability (20 credits): Covers handling and analyzing scientific data, developing employability skills, and preparing a career plan in science.
• Ecology Field Skills (20 credits): Examines standardized methods for ecological censuses and surveys in the UK, providing practical experience in field techniques and GIS.
• Wildlife and Ecosystem Management (20 credits): Focuses on advanced ecology, wildlife population management, and linkages between populations and biogeochemical cycles, applying these concepts to wildlife and ecosystem management.
• Conservation Practice (20 credits): Introduces conservation practice and management through field-based activities on sites of conservation protection or importance, covering development and implementation of conservation management plans, protected area designation, and other conservation practices.
• Optional Modules:
• Behavioural Ecology (20 credits): Examines how ecological and evolutionary factors affect animal behavior, focusing on maximizing inclusive fitness in wild animals.
• Marine and Freshwater Biology (20 credits): Provides an introduction to marine and freshwater biology, including oceanography, limnology, productivity, habitat types, and exploitation and conservation of these ecosystems.
• Animal Monitoring (20 credits): Covers technology and applications for animal monitoring, including data processing, analysis, building and setting up technology, and field experience.
• Sandwich Year - Wildlife Conservation (120 credits): Offers a 12-month placement with a relevant organization in the UK or abroad, providing professional skills development and work experience.
• Animal Health and Disease (20 credits): Covers bioveterinary science, behavior, welfare, physiology, disease processes, and animal rescue and rehabilitation.
• Study Year Abroad - Wildlife Conservation (120 credits): Provides a year of study at an approved overseas partner, complementing the LJMU program.
• Study Semester Abroad - Wildlife Conservation (60 credits): Provides a semester of study at an approved overseas partner, replacing one semester of level 5 study at LJMU.
• Environmental Pollution (20 credits): Introduces the processes driving terrestrial and marine environments, evaluating human impacts and developing skills in acquiring, processing, and interpreting environmental data.

Level 6:

• Core Modules:
• Research Project (40 credits): Allows students to independently develop and conduct a research project in an area relevant to their program of study.
• Contemporary Issues in Conservation (20 credits): Examines a diverse range of contemporary research topics linked to conservation biology.
• Optional Modules:
• Frontiers of Ecology (20 credits): Examines contemporary research topics in ecology, placing them in a broader context by examining conflicting issues and ideas.
• Advanced Field Skills Expedition (20 credits): Provides an introduction to biological issues in ecosystems during a residential field trip abroad, involving field-based studies and data collection.
• Zoo Conservation and Genebanks (20 credits): Covers the role of ex situ conservation in maintaining global biodiversity and methods used in maintaining ex situ collections of animals and plants.
• Applied Marine Biology (20 credits): Provides an advanced understanding of marine biology, including impacts of humans, exploitation of marine resources, and practical skills required in the marine science sector.
• Current Topics in Primatology (20 credits): Covers current topics in primatology, including evolution, ecology, and behavior of primate species, using lectures, seminars, fieldwork, and practical elements.
• Work-Based Learning (20 credits): Provides experiential learning to develop transferable skills relevant to the work environment.
• Sustainable Natural Heritage (20 credits): Explores the relationship between human culture and environmental conservation through the natural heritage concept, investigating integrated conservation schemes and projects.
• River Monitoring and Management (20 credits): Introduces water-related legislative and management frameworks, applying scientific principles to river management issues and evaluating methodologies for investigating, monitoring, managing, and improving river environments.
• Cold Environments: Processes and Change (20 credits): Provides an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills to a new geographical setting, involving detailed data collection and critical evaluation of field-based observations.

Assessment:

Assessment methods vary depending on the module but typically include a combination of exams and coursework. Exams may include multiple choice, short answer, interpretative, problem-based learning, and essay questions. Coursework assessment could involve phase tests, fieldwork/practical reports, data handling, oral presentations, poster presentations, group discussions, essays, or evaluation of practical skills. Feedback on coursework assessments is usually provided within three weeks of submission.

Teaching:

The program employs an active blended learning approach, combining face-to-face and online learning. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, online activities, interactive workshops, group discussions, practical demonstrations, fieldwork, and laboratory sessions. Small tutorial groups provide a forum for informal discussion of course material.

Careers:

Graduates of the BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation program pursue a wide range of careers in the UK and overseas, including:

• Nature reserve management
• Conservation NGOs
• Zoos, aquaria, and wildlife parks
• Conservation charities
• Countryside ranger departments
• Ecological consultancies
• Fisheries management
• Agri-environment advisory services
• Environmental education
• Ecological research
• Overseas conservation projects

Other:

• The degree is accredited by the Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES) and the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES).
• The academic team has links with local, national, and international conservation agencies, including the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the British Ecological Society, Wildlife Trusts, and the North of England Zoological Society.
• The program provides opportunities for short (4-6 week) and 12-month placements with relevant organizations in the UK or abroad.
• The School of Biological and Environmental Sciences offers excellent facilities, laboratories, and study areas, including the Avril Robarts library.
• The program emphasizes a culture of equality, diversity, and inclusivity (EDI) and provides support services for students.
• The Go Citizen Scheme can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects, or unpaid placements worldwide.

|Fees | |:---|

|Home full-time per year | £9,250 |

|International full-time per year | £18,250 |

|Placement year | £1,850 |

|Placement year international | £3,830 |

|All figures are subject to yearly increases.

Tuition fees are subject to parliamentary approval.