Wildlife and Conservation Management

Course description

**Course Summary**

The Wildlife and Conservation Management course is aimed at those who care about wildlife and the environment and want to protect it so that everyone may enjoy it. Biodiversity conservation, species and habitat identification, visitor management and land use are all included in a dynamic, hands-on course taught by enthusiastic professionals with direct experience in the land based industries. The course offers flexibility, allowing you to choose modules to suit your particular aspirations, and you’ll put the knowledge you gain to good use though real-life scenarios and case studies. This course attracts students of many different ages, backgrounds, and future aspirations. What they all have in common is an interest in studying this unique mix of biodiversity, conservation ecology and people management topics.

**Assessment Methods**

This course is assessed in a variety of ways. Students will be assessed using methods such as essays, investigations and case studies, as well as through problem based exercises, presentations and observed or work experience tasks. Individual and collaborative projects are also used to assess students knowledge and skills. The course has been designed so that key transferrable skills are naturally embedded in the curriculum, equipping students with essential skills for the workplace and beyond.

**Modules**

Year 1: Biodiversity Conservation, Ecology and Ecosystems, Geology and Geomorphology, Rural Land Use, Environmental Awareness, Graded Unit 1, Interpretation and Visitor Management Techniques, Classification and Identification of Organisms, Leadership of Countryside Activities, Planning and Development, Heritage Studies, Biology, Wildlife Management, Information Technology, Animal Care: Wildlife, Wildlife Husbandry and Rehabilitation.

Year 2. Modules include: Ecological Surveying, Data Collection and Handling Methods, Education for Sustainability, Tourism: sustainability and rural communities, Applied Interpretation, Terrestrial Ecology, Habitat Management, Graded Unit 2, Graded Unit 3, Business Management, Conservation Skills, Freshwater Environments, Marine Environments, Personal Development Planning, Soil Management, Work Placement, Geodiversity Conservation, Geographic Information Systems, Forestry: Woodland Conservation, Data Management for Ecological Surveying.

Year 3: Mandatory modules include: Conservation Site Management, Ecological Principles and Applications, Rural Planning and Environmental Assessment, Integrated Catchment Management, Community Project Management, Research Skills and Data Analysis
Students will also select 2 elective modules. To aid this selection a number of pathways linked to potential careers/academic interest areas have been developed:
Conservation Management pathway
Ecology Pathway
Land Management Pathway
Natural Heritage and People Pathway

Year 4: Mandatory modules include: Honours Project or Work Based Research Project, Action for Biodiversity, Wildlife and Resource Management Conflicts, Professional Skills for Conservation
Students will also select 2 elective modules. To aid this selection a number of pathways linked to potential careers/academic interest areas have been developed:
Conservation Management Pathway
Ecology Pathway
Land Management Pathway
Natural Heritage and People Pathway

The Edinburgh campus only consider applications to Year 3 of the course from applicants who have completed a relevant HND (or equivalent) qualification. Aberdeen and Barony campuses offer the course from Year 1.

Subjects

• Environmental conservation
• Wildlife management
• Environmental studies