Ecology (with integrated year in industry)

Why study Ecology with Year in Industry at Aberystwyth?

• The syllabus includes an integrated year in industry in addition to identical content from the three-year sister course BSc Ecology (C180).

• The option to pursue paid or voluntary work.

• All students will receive guidance and advice from our Director for Employability on how you will find relevant work for a period of up to twelve months.

• You have the option to transfer to the three-year BSc Ecology C180 course if you do not find an opportunity that suits you.

• During your year in work experience, you will pay a discounted tuition fee of which the information can be found here.

• You will be taught and mentored by friendly and knowledgeable teaching staff that are also internationally recognised researchers in Ecology.

• Learn and Live in an exceptional environment of Cardigan Bay where you will be surrounded by a great diversity of beautiful environments, including marine, moorland, mountain, waterways, grassland and coast.

• Study in an internationally recognised centre of excellence and award-winning department-  Queen’s anniversary prize for Higher and Further Education to name a few.

• The Ynys Hir RSPB reserve (as seen on Springwatch) and Dyfi National Nature reserve are on our doorstep.

• Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire and the Brecon Beacon National Parks are within driving distance.

• The Cambrian mountains as a backdrop and just a stone throw away from Cardigan Bay and its bottle-nose dolphins.

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.

Your year in industry:

Make no mistake, you will develop confidence and gaining experience in the industry will stimulate your enthusiasm for the subject.

Completing a year in industry will allow you to:

• Apply the learning from your course to the work environment;
• Make industry contacts;
• Develop practical skills related to your area of study;
• Apply your practical skills and technical knowledge after returning to study;
• Enhance your CV and better prepare yourself for a job after graduating.

Students on this scheme should note that the department institute does not have automatic placements for every applicant. You will be responsible for finding securing the work experience, however, you will have the assistance of our institute Work Experience Coordinator and our dedicated careers advisor (James Cuffe, jpc11@aber.ac.uk). If you fail to find work experience you will be able to convert your course to the three-year version of your subject.

This degree will prepare you for a career in the following:

• Wildlife and Conservation officer;

• Biodiversity assessor and Habitat surveyor;

• Site Manager;

• Education and public engagement;

• Environmental Consultancy;

• Ecological Research graduate position;

• PhD researcher.

What will I learn?

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

Your first year will provide a broad grounding in biology, and training in the skills needed to succeed in your studies. Subject areas covered will include:

• The Biosphere;
• Ecology;
• Animal Physiology;
• Diversity of Microbial Life;
• Plant Biology;
• Conservation of wildlife;
• The study and management of habitats;
• The study and management of habitats.

In your second you will be offered specialist modules including:

• Climate change impacts on ecosystems;
• Geographic Information Systems;
• Freshwater Biology;
• Bird biodiversity;
• Habitat assessment and organism ID (UK and international);
• Vertebrates;
• Understanding invertebrates;
• Ecological Monitoring.

In your third year you will undertake your work experience in an industry that is relative to this degree BSc Ecology.

In your final year, subject areas offered include:

• Population and Community ecology;
• Wildlife conservation;
• Habitat assessment and organism ID (International);
• Environmental Protection and Law;
• Sustainability;
• Ecological Monitoring;
• Environmental Consultancy;
• Independent research in a topic of your choice.

How will I be taught?

The course will be delivered through lectures, workshops, tutorials and practicals. You will be assessed through:

• Essays;
• Practical exercises;
• Oral presentations;
• Worksheets;
• Reports;
• Statistical exercises;
• Dossiers;
• Posters;
• Portfolios;
• Wikis;
• Reflective diaries;
• Literature reviews;
• Magazine articles;
• Field notebooks;
• Exams.