Course structure
The course is full-time, running for one year from October to September. It is structured around three main elements designed to combine a balance between the basic ecological theory needed to underpin the practice of biodiversity survey with practical experience in identification and survey techniques:
- Three lecture and seminar based courses; Biodiversity Theory and Practice and Habitat Ecology and a final year option (level 3).
- The core field and laboratory-based course Identification and Survey Skills.
- A dissertation in the form of a full professional biodiversity survey.
In addition there are two residential field classes.
Identification and Survey Skills
This is a laboratory and field based course that aims to provide you with a sound grounding in identification skills and practical taxonomy. It will cover the major groups used in biological surveys, the preparation of biodiversity assessments and the interpretation and analysis of field data.
Each week deals with a particular taxonomic group or survey technique and is led by an expert in that particular field.
Biodiversity Theory and Practice
This is a lecture and seminar based course that covers the basic ecological theory relating to biodiversity such as ‘what is biodiversity?’, the factors influencing biodiversity, numbers of species, measuring biodiversity and theoretical aspects of diversity indices. In addition it will cover such practical aspects as Biodiversity Action Plans, agencies and organisations and the relevant legislation.
Special Taxonomic Group
A distinctive part of the degree is the requirement to adopt a particular taxonomic group as a personal specialism under supervision of a recognised expert. In addition, students are encouraged to join the appropriate learned society for which we offer a year's subscription. Recent examples have included non-marine Mollusca, spiders, lichens, bryophytes, reptiles and amphibians, aculeate Hymenoptera, carabid beetles and macro-Lepidoptera.
Students are similarly expected to specialise in a particular habitat.
Habitat Ecology
This is a lecture and seminar based course that explores the floristic and faunistic characteristics of the major British ecosystems. It will deal with environmental factors, temporal processes and origins and the biogeographical affinities of British habitats. It will also cover land use history and management issues and consider current pressures and conservation status. We will also cover the theoretical background to phytosociological survey techniques such as the NVC that will be a major part of the practical work in other parts of the course. Students will be expected to adopt a particular habitat as a personal specialisation.
Final Year Option (Level 3)
Students choose one course from the array of ecology and environmental final year options offered during the autumn or possibly the spring term. (The choice available may depend upon timetable constraints.) Among the options available in 2007-2008 were: Animal-Plant Interactions; Co-operation and Conflict in Animal Societies; Plant Function and Environment; Molecular Ecology and Evolution.
Dissertation
The dissertation takes the form of a major professional biodiversity survey carried out individually under the supervision of a member of faculty. The subject of the survey will be a site chosen by the student after discussion with their supervisor. Surveys could also be of sites suggested by outside bodies such as NGOs or Natural England. All surveys will be carried out to a professional brief as if commissioned by a client. Work for the survey will be expected to involve a desk study, archive research, comprehensive field survey, laboratory identification, data assessment and the production of the survey report.
