BSc Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Science

Program Overview

Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) in the United Kingdom offers a BSc Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Science program, a practice-based degree designed for students passionate about understanding and addressing vital global issues such as climate change, sustainability, wildlife protection, and environmental pollution. This program provides students with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to contribute to saving our planet. With a strong emphasis on laboratory skills and fieldwork, the course is meticulously crafted to prepare graduates for diverse career paths in conservation. The curriculum focuses on providing students with interdisciplinary expertise and applied skills to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing humanity today, while developing the self-confidence and understanding needed for further study or employment.

Curriculum: The BSc Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Science curriculum at CCCU integrates a blend of theoretical learning with extensive practical experience. Core modules typically include "Natural Environments," "Human Environments," "Chemistry for Life and Environmental Sciences," and "Statistics and Introduction to 'R' Software," providing a foundational understanding of ecological principles and scientific methodologies. As students progress, they have opportunities to select optional modules that may include topics such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and the link between environmental processes, sustainability, and policy-making. Learning is facilitated through blended learning with workshops, field visits and trips (local, national, and internationally to destinations like India and Iceland), laboratory practicals in state-of-the-art facilities (including the Verena Holmes building), and seminars. The final year culminates in an independent research project, allowing students to delve into a topic of specific interest and career goals.

Research Focus: The BSc Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Science program at Canterbury Christ Church University boasts a robust research focus, with teaching delivered by a passionate multi-disciplinary team of experienced academics whose teaching is actively informed by their ongoing research. This team includes experts in diverse areas such as small mammal conservation, invasive species, invertebrate specialists, chemical ecologists, and those working on whole system analysis and human-wildlife interaction. Students are encouraged to participate in current research projects undertaken by their lecturers, who are eager to collaborate with conservation students and are currently working with institutions like Princeton University and Kent Wildlife Trust. The program's strong emphasis on developing skills for collecting and analyzing scientific data independently culminates in a significant independent research project in the final year, allowing students to contribute to the scientific understanding of wildlife ecology and conservation.

Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a cornerstone of the BSc Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Science program at CCCU, designed to equip students with highly practical and employment-relevant skills. The course emphasizes hands-on experience through regular field visits to diverse natural and human-impacted environments around the local area, as well as residential field trips. From the first week, students utilize industry-standard equipment and facilities in newly opened, state-of-the-art laboratories, gaining confidence with tools used in the professional world. The academic staff maintain strong links with organizations such as Kent Wildlife Trust, offering potential for collaborative research and practical insights. While the primary degree is three years, students may also have the option to undertake a "Year in Industry" placement between their second and third years, further enhancing their employability and providing valuable real-world experience in conservation, environmental consultancy, or governmental agencies.

Global Perspective: The BSc Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Science program at Canterbury Christ Church University inherently adopts a significant global perspective, preparing students to address the biggest challenges facing humanity and the planet on an international scale. The curriculum emphasizes vital global topics such as climate change, sustainability, and wildlife protection, encouraging students to understand and act upon the rapid environmental changes occurring worldwide. The program provides opportunities for fieldwork internationally, with previous trips to destinations like India and Iceland, and plans for more international opportunities in the future academic years. This exposure to diverse ecosystems and conservation challenges across different geographical contexts, coupled with an interdisciplinary approach, prepares graduates to contribute to global conservation efforts, work with international organizations, or engage in research that informs global sustainability policies.