Biology (Conservation Biology)

All Biology students cover a broad range of fundamental biology topics, from cell biology and genetics, to plant, animal, and human biology. In additional, you’ll take specialised modules in conservation biology, gaining a range of appropriate knowledge and skills.

The course is real-world focused; you’ll graduate as a professional biologist, prepared to solve a range of problems and keep up-to-date with scientific advances.

Year one
The first year focuses on fundamental topics such as cell biology, genetics, anatomy and physiology, evolution, classification, food production and ecosystems. Associated practical classes give you hands-on experience of these concepts. You’ll also study a biodiversity and conservation module to develop your knowledge and skills in many contemporary themes of plant and animal conservation. You may choose to study modules in human biology, biochemistry, nutrition or earth science.

Year two
The second year covers a range of important human, animal and plant biology. You’ll also consider important concepts in biology such as ethics, biosecurity, genetics and technology. Additional topics you can study include ecology, biodiversity monitoring, environmental sustainability, biodiversity and microbiology. Modules in business, psychology and science publishing are also available.

There is an optional Professional Placement Year between your second and final year, giving you the opportunity to put your classroom knowledge and skills into practice in a relevant role.

Year three
You’ll carry out a dissertation in the final year. This substantial research project enables you to experience being responsible for planning, implementing and reporting on a conservation biology topic. In addition, you may study topics in nature conservation, animal behaviour, marine biology, digital imaging and plant biology. Modules in business, psychology and science publishing are also available.

Assessments are varied, and designed to be appropriate to the particular skills required for each module. Some modules have coursework and examinations, but many are coursework only. The practical nature of our assessment contributes to our high levels of graduate employment.

Types of assessment include scientific papers, posters, oral presentation, interviews, essays, reports, reviews, leaflets and video presentations. There are also plenty of opportunities to choose the biological theme on which you are assessed, allowing you to have deeper understanding of the aspects of biology that interest you.

Interactive lectures provide you with fundamental knowledge, enhanced by the practical skills you learn in supporting sessions. Around half of your contact time will be in lectures, and half in practical or workshop sessions.

You’ll have the opportunity to study in a wide range of locations around the world. Our students have completed exchange programmes in a variety of countries including Spain, Sweden and the USA.

From Kew Gardens to Haverfordwest, you’ll have opportunities to participate in fieldwork opportunities across the Biology modules. Please note that you’ll have to pay a contribution towards the cost of some of these study visits.

Our students have worked with clients such as the NHS, Bristol Zoo, Operation Wallacea, English Nature and local authorities.

Biology graduates have a range of professions including environmental consultant, wildlife trust warden, livestock manager and science technician. Graduates have been employed by companies including Nicholas Pearson Associates, New Zealand Department of Conservation and RSPB.

We’ll encourage you to participate in local and national science festivals.

Each year we award five prizes to our students. These are:

• Bath Spa University Biology Prize for best performance (one per year of study)
• OUP Prize
• CIWEM Prize.

This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.

You'll have access to our:

• Laboratories
  Located in the Gardens area of the Newton Park campus, we have a number of well­-equipped and recently refurbished laboratories dedicated to a variety of practical work. Some are used for specialist microbiological culturing and analysis, others for biochemistry and physiology.
• Low Hazard Laboratory Space
  We have ‘low ­hazard’ laboratory space where you can carry out activities such as the preparation and assessment of food, exercise or psychological studies.
• Biology Resources Room
• Commons building
• Newton Park library
• Virtual Learning Environment

Biology students can hire out equipment using SISO, Bath Spa University’s free equipment loan service. We provide a huge variety of equipment, from binoculars to telescopes and video cameras.

You'll also have access to Bath Spa Observer, our digital mapping platform that compiles environmental data collected by students, staff and the public from across our University campuses.