Program Overview

Introduction to Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science, BSc

The Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science program at Canterbury Christ Church University is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their chosen career. The program focuses on the practical application of ecological principles to real-world problems, with a strong emphasis on fieldwork and laboratory research.

Key Dates

The academic calendar for the program is based on semesters, with key dates including the start and end of teaching, holidays, and welcome week activities.

Welcome and Induction

The welcome week is an essential introduction to the program and the university, providing students with the opportunity to feel confident and prepared for their studies. The course team will contact students before arrival to inform them of their group allocation and welcome activities.

Teaching Timetable

The teaching timetable is provided through UniTimetables, which offers an overview of all teaching activities for the course. Students can access user guides and videos to learn more about timetabling.

Program Overview

The program takes an interdisciplinary approach, allowing students to explore important aspects of ecology, population genetics, animal behavior, and other biological disciplines. The program also covers the human dimensions of conservation, enabling students to maximize the effective application of their ecological knowledge.

First Week

The first week of the program is a practical week, introducing students to the new laboratory facilities and developing their practical skills. The timetable is structured to allow students to attend one or two days a week for some weeks, with additional lab weeks later in the semester.

Year 1 Core Modules

The core modules for the first year of the program are:

Semester 1

• Statistics and Introduction to R Software
• Natural Environments
• Human Environments

Semester 2

• Chemistry for Life and Environmental Science
• Diversity, Evolution and Ecology
• GIS and Remote Sensing

Community

The university has a range of clubs and societies, offering endless opportunities for students to make lifelong friends and discover new hobbies. The Student Union hosts a welcome fair, and international students can access support pages for further information and guidance.

Pre-course Reading

Recommended reading includes general science books, such as "Life: The Science of Biology" (Editions 11th or 12th, Section on Ecology). The university bookshop offers a 10% discount on most titles and price-matches Amazon on core texts.

International Student Success Programme

International students can register for the international student success programme, which provides practical advice on preparing to live and study in the UK.