ECOLOGY at Canterbury Christ Church University

This course places a particular emphasis on developing your field skills, and you will have the opportunity to gain practical experience, spending a minimum of 30 days in field-based study or experimentation. You will be encouraged to interact and work with a range of employers in the field, including: The Environment Agency, Natural England, Kent Wildlife Trust, The Aspinall Foundation, and Wildwood.

Ecology encompasses the study of organisms and their interactions with the environment, and as such, has implications for many aspects of human society and development as we tackle major global issues.

You will explore areas including:

• animal ecology
• plant ecology
• molecular ecology
• conservation biology

Why Ecology?

Our Ecology degree takes an interdisciplinary approach and incorporates applied modules designed to increase practical skills with modules giving you vital background theory. Our aim is to enable you to work as a thinking, flexible, modern ecologist. You will be trained to explore important aspects of ecology, population genetics, the ecology of animal behaviour and other biological disciplines while also learning how they relate to geology, landscape as well as local and global ecosystems.

The course is actively supported by the University’s Ecology Research Group (ERG). This research group offers you opportunities to collaborate with lecturers on their research from the very start of your undergraduate career. The ERG has close links with environmental organisations, including Natural England, the Environment Agency and Kent Wildlife Trust, creating opportunities for you to network and speak with professionals about employment and career advice. You can even apply for Associate membership of the ERG, subject to completion of a set programme of research training.

As you progress through the course, you will have the opportunity to hone your skills in conducting independent research, analysing data statistically and presenting them effectively in writing and in oral presentations.

What will i study?

You will study topics relating to how living things interact with each other and their environment (their ecology), how these interactions are shaped and determined by local and global environmental factors and how this affects our efforts to preserve and protect species of conservation interest.

You will learn practical skills in the field and in the laboratory that are required for surveying, identifying and assessing environments and the organisms living within them.

What can i do next?

The Ecology course prepares you for a diverse range of careers in environmental conservation organisations, such as the RSPB and Natural England; for careers in environmental and ecological consultancy or for work with government environmental agencies. The course also provides you with the necessary skills and knowledge to go into further study toward a postgraduate degree (MSc, PhD) and a research career in ecology, conservation and environmental sciences.