Help & enquiries
- Admission enquiries
- admissions@plymouth.ac.uk
- +44 1752 585858
- PlymUniApply
GThe new name for the BSc (Hons) Conservation Biology course
BIOL119Z
Introduction to Biology
20 credits
This module is designed to give you some fundamental basic skills and information to help you start to become an independent biologist. The module will cover data and information gathering, analysis, evaluation and presentation. Much of the module will be based around field/lab activities providing you with data for analysis and presentation.
75% Coursework
25% Practicals
BIOL123Z
Field Biology
20 credits
This module provides an introduction to the natural history, taxonomy, identification and sampling methods for the major groups of organisms with opportunities to explore and test hypotheses based on these concepts in the field.
40% Coursework
40% Tests
20% Practicals
BIOL129Z
Professional Development in Biological Sciences 1
0 credits
Skills in fieldwork, e.g. in identification, or in the laboratory, e.g. in liquid handling, are an important aspect of any biology degree, and can contribute to the employability of graduates. The purpose of this module is to track the progressive acquisition of a range of basic field, laboratory and transferable skills of relevance to each degree programme, and delivered in the other Level 4 modules.
BIOL131Z
Cells: The Building Blocks of Life
20 credits
The cell is the basic building block of life. This module introduces you to the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and the cell biology that allow different cells to do different things including some highly specialised cells of multicellular organisms. The module will then focus on the molecular basis that underlies cell function introducing you to the metabolic pathways and molecules that allow cells to work.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
BIOL132Z
Ecology and the Diversity of Life
20 credits
This module introduces the fundamental principles of ecology and the diversity of life. It examines patterns of life on Earth, past and present, and how an understanding of these supports efforts to conserve biodiversity and manage resources sustainably. The module also provides an overview of the domains of life on Earth, introducing the remarkable variety of organisms with which we share the planet.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
BIOL133Z
Principles of Physiology
20 credits
This module is an introduction to the fundamental principles of comparative physiology, and the structure and function of the body systems of plants and fungi as well as animals. The module also introduces the concept of environmental physiology, how organisms respond to their environment.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
MBIO161Z
Evolution and Behaviour
20 credits
Covers the principles underpinning evolution with a special focus on animal behaviour as adaptive traits. Module covers concepts of the genetic basis of inheritance, population genetics, selection, adaptation, function, fitness and speciation. We will use key examples and practical classes to illustrate key ideas and consider the development of some of the ideas in a historical context.
50% Examinations
50% Tests
BIOL204Z
Principles of Conservation Biology
20 credits
Successful conservation is dependent on a thorough grasp of fundamental biological principles. The conceptual aspects of population, molecular, & evolutionary ecology which are central to understanding the dynamics of, and future threats to, extant populations of organisms are reviewed.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
BIOL205Z
Animal Behaviour
20 credits
The module addresses why animals behave in a particular way and the methodology involved in studying them. This involves understanding the causation, development, function and evolution of behaviour. We will also discuss how this knowledge might be applied in practical situations.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
BIOL214Z
Ecology
20 credits
An understanding of basic concepts is needed to solve ecological problems. This module explores key concepts in ecology at the levels of individuals, populations and communities. The concepts are supported with examples taken from terrestrial and aquatic systems, and provide a useful insight into the search for general theories in ecology.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
BIOL219Z
Ecology Field Course
20 credits
A field course to familiarise students with the ecology, biogeography and history of resource management of a range of ecosystems. Students investigate and characterise the ecological communities encountered and explore the consequences of different types of management hands on.
100% Coursework
BIOL225Z
Professional Development in Biological Sciences 2
0 credits
Skills in fieldwork or in the laboratory, as well as other transferable skills, e.g. in data handling, are an important aspect of any biology degree, and can contribute to the employability of graduates. The purpose of this module is to track the continued acquisition of a range of field, laboratory and transferable skills of relevance to each degree programme, and delivered in the other Level 5 modules.
BIOL235Z
Plant Ecophysiology
20 credits
This module looks at plant-environment interactions in specific habitats, including those affected by human activity. In all cases the challenges associated with the particular environment or biotic interactions are examined as well as the stress responses which may occur in the plants growing there. The features of plants which are well adapted to exploit the opportunities provided by particular habitats are explored.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
MBIO220Z
Applied Aquatic Biology
20 credits
This module introduces the main effects that humans have on key freshwater and marine ecosystems throughout the globe, as well as strategies for the monitoring, conservation and sustainable use of these systems.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
APIE303
Biology:Placement
All students on our degrees have the option of undertaking a (minimum of 6 month) work placement at a company or university anywhere in the world undertaking some kind of work (usually research-based) relating to their programme of study.
BIOL308Z
Applied Conservation Biology
20 credits
Focuses on application of biological theory to successfully managing populations in wild and captive environments. The emphasis is on how theory feeds into and informs working practice. Along with advancing their theoretical knowledge, students develop knowledge of the major approaches, analytical tools, techniques and software that individuals working in the public and private conservation sectors apply in practice.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
PROJ302Z
SoBMS Project
40 credits
This module provides an opportunity to undertake a research project on an individually developed topic and experience the entire process of scholarly research: from problem formulation, through the design and execution of an investigation, analysis of results and presentation of outcomes. It will develop skills in independent working and self-awareness in relation to personal, professional and academic development.
75% Coursework
25% Practicals
BIOL301Z
Plant Biotechnology
20 credits
Despite the increasing importance of 'food security' in a changing world, plant biotechnology has had much negative publicity. This module will give students an appreciation of the science and also the ethical and social issues that surround the subject and show why these techniques are so important to secure our food supply.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
BIOL310Z
Global Change Biology
20 credits
This module provides the student with an in-depth overview of the likely consequences of climate change for plant and animal species biology and distribution over the coming century. From this starting point we will show how an understanding of climate change biology is vital for conservation theory and practice over coming decades.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
BIOL323Z
Advanced Behaviour Analysis Techniques
20 credits
Learn to use a range of modern animal behaviour analysis techniques in a variety of settings, such as labs, farms, zoos etc. Cover how you identify and follow individual animals to collect social data and construct a social network, how to analyse animal movement and how we can test and train animals to assess behavioural changes - and how to communicate, to a wider audience, the importance of these techniques.
50% Coursework
50% Practicals
BIOL324Z
Advanced Bioinformatics and Phylogenetics
20 credits
Technological advances have generated a substantial increase in the amount and speed of data production. You will build expertise in skills used for data analysis, essential for working in the life sciences (big data sets, bioinformatics, phylogenetics, image analysis and genomics etc.) to address questions in biology, ecology, evolution and behaviour; and communicating these complex ideas to the wider public.
50% Coursework
50% Practicals
MBIO317Z
Behavioural Ecology
20 credits
This module examines the theory underpinning key conceptual models in behavioural ecology (e.g. optimal foraging, ideal free distribution, game theory). These models will be critically discussed in relation to empirical studies.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
MBIO339Z
Ecology and Conservation of Marine Vertebrates
20 credits
Marine vertebrates are vulnerable to depletion through over fishing, industrial development, pollution and habitat degradation. This module will examine the ecology of these animals in their natural environments and explore methods for surveying, monitoring and managing populations and species. There is a strong emphasis on current research and hot topics with numerous case studies used throughout the module.
70% Examinations
30% Coursework
Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.
The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:
UCAS tariff
104 - 128
Student | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
---|---|---|
Home | N/A | £9,250 |
International | N/A | £18,650 |
Part time (Home) | N/A | £770 |
International progression routes
As a part of our BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation course, you will have the opportunity to participate in field trips both locally and abroad.
"I would definitely recommend doing the placement year option because you have fifteen months, the support of the University and you can get as much experience in as many different places as you can."
Our staff and postgraduate students are involved in a wide range of relevant research. We are closely linked with the following research groups:
The University of Plymouth has joined forces with the Ocean Giants Trust to create a series of exciting new opportunities for its student participants.