Fieldwork

Experience in the field is at the core of the Masters course. Laboratory-backed field work takes place on a weekly basis throughout the year, each session usually concentrating on a particular taxonomic group or survey technique. Groups currently covered include:

• Mammals
• Flowering plants
• Molluscs
• Bropyhtes
• Insects
• Spiders
• Birds
• Reptiles and amphibians
• Lichens
  

In addition, there are two one-week residential field classes to other parts of the country which will provide the opportunity to gain experience of habitats and species assemblages in different geographical areas and climatic regions.

Survey techniques
A wide range of standard survey techniques form an integral part of the course, including:

• Phase One Vegetation Survey
• National Vegetation Classification (NVC)
• Recorder 6
• DEFRA Hedgerow Survey
• Butterfly Monitoring Scheme
• Common Bird Census (CBC) and Breeding Bird Survey (BBS)
• Freshwater condition assessments, such as Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP)

All species recorded during the course are transmitted to the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre with whom the course has a close association.