Many graduates from this course work with conservation bodies or as environmental consultants in the private sector. Others pursue research positions or enrol on one of our Masters courses in conservation. You'll learn through experience-based activities with a core programme of practical exercises and workshops that are supplemented by lecture material. Fieldwork is incorporated throughout and you'll work in personal and small group tutorials to enable valuable one-to-one feedback. In Year 1, you'll develop your understanding of core scientific areas, including ecology, evolution, biology of organisms and biological processes. In Year 2, you'll study adaption and survival, behaviour, ecology and field biology. You'll also develop your field-based research skills to gain experience in key habitat survey techniques. You'll progress as an independent researcher by completing your professional practice placement. Placement opportunities are flexible to allow tailored engagement with graduate employers. In Year 3, your emphasis will be on developing your academic expertise in conservation biology and habitat management, invertebrate and vertebrate conservation, applied entomology and toxicology. You'll also complete an independent piece of research. Our expertise is varied. The specialist interests of our lecturers include butterfly conservation, urban sustainability and environmental pollution. If you would like to study a biology-based degree but your current qualifications do not meet our entry requirements for degree level study, our Biology with a Foundation Year is available.

Our award aims to provide you with the relevant knowledge, approach and skill set demanded of a practising biologist. We have well established relationships with practicing biologists, ecologists and environmental consultants who have contributed to the design and delivery of this award. This programme will enable you to develop knowledge and understanding of those aspects of biology and ecology relevant to the management and conservation of animals. Consequently areas allied to this are prime employment opportunities and range from reserve wardens and guides through to applied ecologists and conservation research workers. In addition the acquisition of Graduate Skills and attributes developed allow you to find employment in a variety of alternative science based environments such as forensic science, veterinary and agricultural laboratories. A significant number of our graduates apply for postgraduate study. Those who aspire to a career in teaching progress to a PGCE, whereas graduates with an interest in a research career choose to continue onto Masters and PhD programmes. Graduates from science programmes are increasingly sought after due to their skills in numeracy, IT, problem solving and abilities to analyse and evaluate. Consequently, many of the non-laboratory based industries such as regulatory affairs, scientific editing, technical sales and marketing, insurance and management preferentially employ graduate bioscientists.