Biology and Climate Change

Why should you study Biology and Climate Change at Aberystwyth University? 

On this degree, you will learn about the science underpinning climate, and how humans have changed these processes in recent times. You will explore the impacts of climate change on biodiversity at the level of species, habitats, and ecosystems, and the scope for organisms and populations to evolve in the light of this threat. By working across disciplines, you will learn the need for both scientific research and governance in tackling these important issues.

Specialist opportunities at Aberystwyth for Biology and Climate Change students include:

• The great variety of local habitats and ecosystems, both marine and terrestrial – an ideal location to study the impacts of climate change on biodiversity, and the scope for mitigation
• The chance to carry out field research, both locally and abroad
• An opportunity to work with established Academic researchers who work on various aspects of the past, present and future effects of global climate change on natural ecosystems.

Our Staff

The majority of teaching staff at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within industry.  The Institute has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.

Graduates in this degree will be well-placed to pursue a career in climate change management, adaptation and mitigation, both in the UK and abroad. Additionally, they will be suited to careers in related areas, such as environmental education and consultancy or conservation. Many are likely to undertake further postgraduate study, either at Masters or Doctoral level.

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the three year degree scheme.

What will I learn?

In your first year you will explore a wide range of topics from the Science of Climate, the biosphere, the green planet, evolution and diversity of life. These are all designed to give you a firm footing in your second and third years and allow you to try out topics you might never have considered before.

There is a wide range of modules on offer in years two and three.  In these years you will have the opportunity to focus and delve deeper into the themes of climate change through studying these innovative modules which include: the governance of climate change, plants, animals and ecosystems, global biodiversity and a comprehensive research project. 

In your final year you will also undertake your dissertation. Because of the range of research done in IBERS you will be able to find a project which really engages you and builds your scientific skills. The projects may be lab or field-based or data analysis studies, but all help you develop advanced analytical skills. You might be studying parasites, plant breeding, bird behaviour, or cancer to name but a few.

How will I be taught?

It’s not all lectures and exams here at Aberystwyth. We place great emphasis on field and practical to let you get your hands dirty and build the practical and analytical skills. We have a very well developed E-learning environment which captures every lecture for you to revisit at your leisure and hosts a wide-range of contents in all formats. We have an excellent Student Support team at Aberystwyth who can help arrange for additional teaching resources and alternatives for those students who need it. Our aim is to make everything we do fully accessible to everyone and our teaching and support staff are dedicated to this end.

There are, of course, exams, but every module has more than one form of assessment. In most modules coursework makes up a significant proportion of the marks (typically up to 50% although there are modules assessed entirely by coursework). Coursework assessments range from practical or field reports through to writing journal-style articles and making podcasts. Our assessments are not just designed to test your knowledge and understanding, they also build real-world skills such as team work, presentation and report writing skills that are needed in any graduate-level job. When we teach and examine, we are aiming to create the scientists of the future and first class potential employees at the same time.