wildlife conservation - university of kentwildlife conservation at kent we know that wildlife and...

WILDLIFECONSERVATIONCanterbury

The UK’s European university

Undergraduatestudy

2 Wildlife Conservation

Courtesy of Dr Zoe Davies

WILDLIFECONSERVATIONAT KENT We know that wildlife and biodiversity are vitalfor human survival, yet the world is experiencinga conservation crisis because of threats such ashabitat loss and climate change. On this degreeyou analyse the facts and gain an understandingof where we are now, putting you in a greatposition to offer innovative ways forward.

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Blend theorywith practice On this science-focuseddegree, you learn about thenatural science aspects ofconservation (includinggenetics, ecology, wildlifemanagement and speciesreintroduction) and get trainingin the human dimensions ofconservation.

ResearchcommunityYou learn from leading expertsin their field, and the world-renowned Durrell Institute ofConservation and Ecologyis part of our School. Weengage with local, nationaland international partners toproduce high-quality researchwith a positive impact.

Career successCareer paths for wildlifeconservation graduatesinclude ecological surveying,habitat management, speciesconservation and internationalconsultancy. Potentialemployers include charities,government, NGOs and theprivate sector.

Academic supportUniversity is different to school.You need to be self-motivatedand well organised to succeed.We help by assigning you anacademic tutor and organisingpeer mentoring. You can alsoget help with academic skills,such as essay writing, from theUniversity’s dedicated service.

Ideal locationThe campus is full of wildspaces, teeming with manyspecies of wildlife, includingprotected great crested newtsand rare species such as thenightingale and the heathfritillary butterfly.

InfluentialspeakersWe organise extra events toexpand your experience. Wehost the annual DICE lecture,open to the public and givenby leading conservationfigures. This event enablesus to bring current ideasabout conservation to awider audience.

ExcellentresourcesWe have state-of-the-artfacilities including conservationgenetics labs, an ecology lab,and an on-campus field trialsarea. We also have a researchvessel on the Peruvian Amazon.

InspirationalteachingGreat teachers inspireenthusiasm and provokedebate. Whether they’relecturing on biodiversityor sparking debate aroundwildlife conservation, our staffare skilled at bringing theirsubject to life.

Field tripsOur field courses in the UKand abroad allow you to applywhat you’ve learned to real-world situations, develop fieldskills, practice your researchskills and build friendshipswith staff and other students.

WHY STUDY WILDLIFECONSERVATION AT KENT?

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A year in professional practiceGaining work experience as part of your degree helps consolidateyour learning and makes you stand out to potential employers.You may even get a job offer from your placement employer. You havethe opportunity to take your programme with a year in professionalpractice between Stages 2 and 3. We support you as you look foryour placement, this includes help with your CV and interview skills.Many of our students have sourced their placement through ouralumni network or through staff research partners.

The Times Good UniversityGuide 2019• Conservation at Kent,

which is in the categoryof Agriculture and Forestry,was ranked 5th in the UK.

Destinations of Leavers fromHigher Education • Over 95% of Kent graduates

who responded to the mostrecent national survey ofgraduate destinations were inwork or further study withinsix months (DHLE 2017).

Research ExcellenceFramework• In the most recent research

rankings, 97% of researchat Kent was found to be ofinternational quality.

Teaching ExcellenceFramework• Kent was awarded gold, the

highest rating, in the UKgovernment’s TeachingExcellence Framework*.

Independent rankings

*The University of Kent’s Statement of Findings can be found atwww.kent.ac.uk/tef-statement

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looking at how domestication has influenced dogs. My role wasassisting on research projects, aswell as running the centre.

One of the Master’s students hadn'tmanaged to collect all her databefore she had to go home to finishher degree. I ended up collectingthe remaining data for her researchproject. It was quite a steep learningcurve because I had to organise allthe data collection and the trainingto be able to carry out the tests.

What did you gain from youryear in professional practice?I feel more confident applying forjobs abroad now, and I know that Icould work with captive animals inthe right conditions. I also enjoyededucating the public about animalbehaviour; it was nice to seepeople’s perceptions of wolveschange. I’d recommend doing aplacement, as it’s a chance to tryout something new and to gainexperience before graduating.

What do you want to do in thefuture?I’m considering a Master’s, butnot straight away as I’d like sometime to decide what I want tospecialise in.

I definitely want to use my career totravel and live in different countries,but most importantly help conservebiodiversity around the world.

Hannah Pepe is in thefinal year of WildlifeConservation with a Yearin Professional Practice.

Why did you choose to studythis particular subject area? I've been really interested in animalsand nature since I was young. As Igot older and became more awareof environmental issues, I becameinterested in what I could do toreduce the impact of humans onthe environment.

What have you particularlyenjoyed about the programme?We've had quite a lot of freedomwith modules, for example I'm doingan environmental politics modulefrom another School this year. I’veenjoyed having the scope to shapemy course.

We also had a field trip to Borneowhich was a big highlight, wherewe spent two weeks in therainforest, staying in a smallresearch centre.

What were you doing inBorneo?We were comparing biodiversityin rainforests and in palm oilplantations. For example, weconducted bird counts and wildliferiver surveys. In Borneo they have alot of palm oil plantations, which is abig environmental issue because ofdeforestation.

We saw a wild orangutan whichwas fantastic. It was just swingingaround our camp in the canopy

above us. There was also a treeplatform in the canopy you couldclimb up to as well.

What did you do in your year inprofessional practice?I was working at the Wolf ScienceCentre in Austria, where theyspecialise in canine psychology.The placement was more animalbehaviour related, but it is alsosomething that interests me, andI believe it has an important linkwith conservation. I thought it wouldbe a good opportunity to try outsomething new, while also trying outworking with captive animals as it'snot something I was sure I'd feelcomfortable with. However, I reallyloved working there.

They have 18 wolves and 16 dogsthat are raised and kept in identicalsituations for accurate comparisons.They are kept in large enclosuresto form natural social structures,and all participation in behaviouraltests is done on a voluntarily basisby the animals.

What were the highlights ofyour placement?As a thank you to the internswe were allowed into the wolfenclosures once a week. If thewolves wanted to, they couldinteract with us which was reallyspecial.

What work did you do there?My official title was scientificresearch assistant. Master’sstudents and PhD students didresearch there on comparing wolfand dog behaviour and cognition,

STUDENT VIEW

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YOUR STUDY PROGRAMME

Our Wildlife Conservationprogramme offers you theopportunity to developacademic, practical andprofessional skills in thefield of conservation.

Wildlife Conservation BSc(Hons)www.kent.ac.uk/ug/30

Wildlife Conservation witha Year in ProfessionalPractice BSc (Hons)www.kent.ac.uk/ug/392Studying Wildlife Conservation,you gain comprehensive trainingin natural science aspects ofconservation (including genetics,

ecology, wildlife managementand species reintroductions),together with training in thehuman dimensions of conservation(for example, work with ruralcommunities).

There is a significant lab andfield-based component, as wellas an opportunity to conducta research project in the UK orabroad. Recent locations includeSouth Africa, Malaysia, Mexicoand the Peruvian Amazon.

Field tripsDue to the practical nature of thisdegree, there is a strong emphasison fieldwork. We aim to undertakea minimum of two UK field trips perterm including visits to Howletts Wild

Animal Park, Stodmarsh NationalNature Reserve, King’s Wood,Pegwell Bay, Brogdale – Homeof the National Fruit Collection,Monks Risborough nature reserve,working farms and a residential tripto the Durrell Wildlife ConservationTrust, Jersey (otherwise known asJersey Zoo).

On these trips, you meetconservation practitioners and workalongside academic staff and fellowstudents to develop your field skills,while applying what you have learntin the classroom in the field.

In your first year you take a Surveyand Monitoring for Biodiversitymodule, which consists almostentirely of fieldwork. You are

Wildlife Conservation

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introduced to basic field techniquesand develop your skills in thecollection, analysis and presentationof field data in relation to a rangeof birds, amphibians, reptilesand plants.

Later in your degree, if you take ourTropical Ecology and Conservationmodule, you spend two weeks at afield centre in Borneo. In the firstfew days, you explore the beautiful,picturesque rainforest beforeventuring deeper into the jungle tothe field studies site. The researchcentre is located in an area wherehuge swathes of forest have beenreplaced by plantations. You workon the front line between managingthe needs of people and the impacton biodiversity.

Final-year students often conducttheir research project in the field,both locally and globally. In recentyears projects have included: • visitor effect on the behaviour of

captive European brown bears(Ursus arctos arctos) and itsimplication for welfaremanagement

• geographic profiling as a toolto predict alien invasion fromexotic pets traded over theinternet in the UK

• transect surveys of three criticallyendangered diurnal lemurspecies in the Andriantantelylowland forest fragment inMadagascar

• a comparison of the aviancomposition, diversity andmorphological radiation betweenhabitats in the Pacaya-SamiriaNational Reserve, Peru

• a survey of the distributionand abundance of surfacemicroplastics in the PacificOcean, covering hundredsof kilometres between Hawaiiand Alaska

• a behavioural study into theuse of space and dominancehierarchy of captive dholes(Cuon alpinus) in the UK.

Some students join the School'sannual expedition to our researchvessel on the Peruvian Amazon fortheir final project fieldwork. Theyspend one or two months aboardthe boat conducting their research.Previous research topics haveincluded studies of: • river dolphins• bird sampling• primates• local people and resource use

of forest products.

Note: trips are subject to availabilityand may require financialcontributions from attendees.

Professional practiceopportunitiesIf you want to stand out fromother graduates in today’s global job market, spending time in theworkplace in the UK or overseasas part of your degree can beinvaluable.

You spend up to a year onplacement, between the secondand final year of your programme.For more information, see page 11.

Many of our current placementstudents have sourced theirplacement through our alumninetwork or via staff researchpartners.

Teaching and assessmentYour studies are divided intothree stages. At Stage 1 (your firstyear), your modules give you anintroduction to biological, social andenvironmental sciences. At Stages2 and 3 (your second and finalyear), you develop specialisedknowledge and skills.

In addition to lectures, you havefield trips and laboratory-basedpracticals. We make extensive useof small-group teaching formats,such as tutorials, seminars andproblem-solving sessions.

Assessment is by a combinationof coursework and examinations.

You are required to pass Stage 1in order to progress to Stage 2.Stage 1 marks, however, do notcontribute towards your finaldegree result. Both Stage 2 and3 marks count towards your finaldegree result.

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CONTINUED OVERLEAF

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You can also take optional modules,which may include the following:• Animals, People and Plants: An

introduction to Ethnobiology(HECO3060)

• Contested Environments(GEOG3001)

• Foundations of BiologicalAnthropology (ANTB3020)

• Geographical Patterns andProcesses (GEOG3003)

• How Humans Evolved(ANTB3160).

Stage 2You take the following compulsorymodules:• Conceptual Frameworks in

Conservation Science (DI505)• Conservation Social Science:

Methods and Research Design(DI537)

• Data Analysis for ConservationBiologists (BI538)

• Spatial Analysis: Principles andMethods (GEOG5004).

Stage 3You take the following compulsorymodules:• Contemporary Conservation

Science (DI518)• Research project (DI522).

Stage 2 and 3 optional modulesYou can also choose from optionalmodules, which may include:• Climate Change and

Conservation (DI501)• Comparative Perspectives in

Primate Biology (SE582)• Conservation and Communities

(DI520)• Creative Conservation (DI532)• Environmental Law 1 (LW585)• Evolutionary Genetics and

Conservation (DI503)• Global Biodiversity (DI510)• Human Ecology: An Introduction

to Social-Ecological Systems(SE610)

• Human Wildlife Conflict andResource Competition (DI531)

• Kent Student Certificate forVolunteering (SO670)

• Practical Guiding andInterpretation (DI527)

• Primate Behaviour and Ecology(SE580)

• Species Conservation (DI521)• Tropical Ecology and

Conservation (DI535).

International studentsIf you are applying from outside theUK without the necessary Englishlanguage qualifications, you may beable to take the Kent InternationalFoundation Programme to gainaccess to our programmes. Fordetails see: www.kent.ac.uk/ifp

Module informationPlease note: these module listsare not fixed as new modules arealways in development and choicesare updated yearly. The details arecorrect at the time of publication(June 2019). Please seewww.kent.ac.uk/ug for themost up-to-date information.

In addition to the modules listedhere, you may also be able tochoose elective modules (modulesoffered by other Schools)

To read a full description ofany of the modules listed, go towww.kent.ac.uk/courses/modulesand search for the module code.

Stage 1You take the following compulsorymodules:• Biodiversity (WCON3050)• Environmental Sustainability

(GEOG3004) • Principles of Biogeography and

Ecology (WCON3111)• Academic Skills (ANTS3080)• Skills for Wildlife Conservation

and Management (WCON3101)• Survey and Monitoring for

Biodiversity (HECO3030).

Wildlife Conservation

YOUR STUDY PROGRAMME (CONT)

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A YEAR IN PROFESSIONALPRACTICE

At Kent, you have theopportunity to broadenyour experience througha placement betweenStages 2 and 3 of yourdegree.

If you want to stand out fromother graduates in today’s globaljob market, spending time inthe workplace can put you astep ahead in your career aswell as helping you consolidateyour studies.

You can take Wildlife Conservationwith a year in professional practice,subject to certain conditions, suchas your academic record.

You spend a minimum of 24 weeksbetween Stages 2 and 3 gainingexperience of work in a professionalenvironment relevant to yourdegree, whether at home or abroad.This can be in industry, government,or non-governmental organisationsand can be paid work or aninternship.

Previous placements have included:• primate behaviour in

protected areas of Uganda• mammal monitoring in the

national parks of Romania• compiling a wildlife trafficking

database for TRAFFICInternational based in Cambridge

• preparations for climate changenegotiations with the UnitedNations in Bonn.

During your placement, youwork under the direction of aline manager within the hostorganisation, with additional supportvia a member of academic stafffrom the University.

You work on one or more tasksagreed in advance; for example,a management plan, a policyreport, a consultation process, apiece of applied research, or thedevelopment of a set of educationalmaterials.

As well as gaining useful work skills,you get the chance to increase yourindustry contacts so you can hit theground running when you graduate.

The University supports you in yourplacement search with lectures,advice and help with applicationsand interviews. The year isassessed on a pass/fail basisthrough employer feedback anda written report that you submit.It does not count towards yourfinal degree classification.


They are committed to improvingaccess to learning for all studentsat Kent and can assist with manythings, including:• talking to your lecturers about

any help you need in lecturesor seminars

• arranging note-takers, signersand other support workers

• discussing exam accessarrangements

• helping you with emotional,psychological or mental healthissues

• applying for relevantfunding to support you.

Find out more at:www.kent.ac.uk/studentsupport

SUPERB STUDY SUPPORT

We’ll support youthroughout your time atKent, from helping youadjust to university studyto discussing modulechoices and essay topicswith you.

You are assigned an academicadviser in your first year, and theyhelp you get the most from yourdegree programme. They meetwith you regularly to discussgeneral academic issues or specificassignments. They assist youin developing academic skills andrefer you to other sources of helpif you need it.

Peer supportThe best advice often comes from people who’ve been inyour situation. On our AcademicPeer Mentoring scheme, first-yearstudents can request to be matchedwith second- or third-year studentson a similar degree programme.

Peer mentors help you settle into university life and find your feet.They can help you to discuss ideasand improve your study skills as youprogress through your first year.

Study skills adviceSuccessful students take control oftheir own learning. Kent’s StudentLearning Advisory Service (SLAS)can help you increase yourcompetence and confidenceand fulfil your potential.

You can request a one-to-oneappointment or attend workshopson a diverse range of topics frommaking the most of lectures towriting well and avoiding plagiarism.

Student support andwellbeingYou might need extra help to getthe most from university. If youhave a medical condition, specificlearning difficulty, mental healthcondition or disability, the StudentSupport and Wellbeing team isthere to support you.


A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE

What do you hope to do once you have yourdegree? Whether youhave a specific careerpath in mind, or haven’tyet thought much beyonduniversity, we can helpyou to plan for successin the future.

Build your CVYour degree studies help you todevelop skills such as thinkingcritically, expressing yourselfclearly, solving problems andworking independently and aspart of a team. These transferableskills are valued by employersand will also be vital if you goon to further study.

At Kent, you have lots of other greatopportunities to enhance your skills.For instance, you could:• join a society or sports club (even

better – get involved in running it)• volunteer within the community• work in a part-time job or take

up a summer internship • represent your fellow students

as a student rep, or becomea student ambassador

• learn a new language orskill with Study Plus.

Getting involved like this meansthat you can earn EmployabilityPoints, which you can exchangefor employability rewards. The morepoints you earn, the more valuablethe rewards. We work with local,national and international employersto offer internships, work experienceand a range of other activities thatprepare you for the world of work.

Experience workAs part of your degree programme,you can find work placements witha range of employers from charitiesand consultants to governmentagencies and NGOs. We havestrong links with organisationsaround the world, giving you arange of exciting placementopportunities.

Find a great jobPotential employers in theconservation and environmentalsector include local, regionaland national UK governmentdepartments, voluntaryorganisations and the privatesector, as well as internationaland environmental organisations.

Our recent graduates have foundwork in:• community-based

conservation projects• conservation planning• conservation policy• ecological surveying• environmental education• habitat management• international consultancy• species conservation.

You can also visit the University’saward-winning Careers andEmployability Service for advice.Throughout the year, the servicedelivers events on the recruitmentprocess (such as CVs, interviewsand assessment centres), as wellas talks on developing awarenessof the opportunities available.

For more information, see:www.kent.ac.uk/ces


COME AND FIND OUT MORE

Choosing a universityis a big step, so it’simportant to find out asmuch as you can beforeyou make your decision.Come and visit us to seewhat we can offer you.

Open DaysThese are a great way to find outwhat life as a student at Kent is like.For instance, you can:• learn more about the course

you are interested in at a subjectpresentation or a taster session

• ask questions – talk to staff andstudents at the information stands

• find out about student finance,opportunities to study abroadand extracurricular activitiessuch as those run by Kent Sport.

Explore the campus at your ownpace on the self-guided walkingtour. You can visit different typesof accommodation, chat to currentstudents and enjoy the stunningviews over Canterbury.

Open Days are held in the summerand autumn. Book your place atwww.kent.ac.uk/opendays

Applicant DaysIf you apply to Kent and we offeryou a place (or ask you to comefor an interview), you will usuallybe invited to an Applicant Day.Applicant Days run in the springterm and are an opportunity tofind out about the course in moredetail. You spend time with your

academic school, meeting staffand current students, and take partin activities that give you a flavourof your prospective course anduniversity life.

Informal visitsIf you can’t make it to an Open Dayor Applicant Day, you can still visitus. We run tours of the campusthroughout the year.

If you live outside Europe, weappreciate that you might find itdifficult to attend our scheduledevents, so we can arrange apersonal campus tour for youand your family.

Let us know you’re comingScheduled tours and personalcampus tours (for internationalstudents) need to be booked inadvance – you can do this viawww.kent.ac.uk/informal

Meet us in your countryOur staff regularly travel overseasto meet with students who areinterested in coming to Kent.We also have strong links withagents in your home country whocan offer guidance and informationon studying at Kent. Find out moreat www.kent.ac.uk/courses/international

CONTINUED OVERLEAF

LocationCanterbury

AwardBSc (Hons)

Degree programmes

Single honours (BSc)• Wildlife Conservation (CD14)• Wildlife Conservation with a Year

in Professional Practice (IT16)

Typical offer levelsA level: BBB including a naturalscience (Biology, Geography,Chemistry, Environmental Science,Psychology or Geology).

IB diploma: 34 points overall or15 at higher, including a naturalscience (Biology, Geography,Environmental Systems andSociety, Psychology, Geology orChemistry) at 5 at HL or 6 at SL.

Required subjectsGCSE Mathematics at grade C/4.

Access to HE DiplomaCandidates assessed onan individual basis, pleasecontact us.

BTEC Level 3 ExtendedDiploma (formerly NationalDiploma)DDM in CountrysideManagement, AnimalManagement or Applied Science.Other subjects will be consideredon a case-by-case basis.

Other qualificationsand experienceWe may consider candidateswho do not have these entryrequirements but have severalyears’ relevant experience or otherqualifications in the subject area.

Please note: Offer levels and entryrequirements are subject tochange. See: www.kent.ac.uk/ug

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Self-guided toursIf you prefer to explore onyour own, you can downloada self-guided walking tour atwww.kent.ac.uk/informal or pickup a copy from us.

A self-guided audio tour is availabletoo, which allows you to learn aboutKent without even leaving home.See www.kent.ac.uk/courses/visit/informal/audio-tour.html

Explore onlineIf you can’t come and see us,you can find out more about theacademic team and the courseat www.kent.ac.uk/sac

Keep in touch with us via socialmedia:www.facebook.com/UniKentSACwww.instagram.com/UniKentSACwww.twitter.com/UniKentSAC

Contact usIf you would like more informationon Kent’s courses, facilities orservices, please contact us on:T: +44 (0)1227 768896www.kent.ac.uk/ug

This brochure was produced in June 2019. The University of Kent makes every effortto ensure that the information contained in its publicity materials is fair and accurateand to provide educational services as described. However, the courses, servicesand other matters may be subject to change. For the most up-to-date information,see www.kent.ac.uk/ug and for full details of our terms and conditions, seewww.kent.ac.uk/termsandconditions

For the University to operate efficiently, it needs to process information about youfor administrative, academic and health and safety reasons. Any offer we make toyou is subject to your consent to process such information and is a requirement in order for you to be registered as a student. All students must agree to abide by theUniversity rules and regulations at: www.kent.ac.uk/regulations

FIND OUT MORE (CONT)

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University of Kent, The Registry, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ T: +44 (0)1227 764000 www.kent.ac.uk/ug

COME ANDVISIT USTo find out more about visitingthe University, see our website:

www.kent.ac.uk/visit

wildlife conservation - university of kentwildlife conservation at kent we know that wildlife and...

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