Foundation Degree in Marine Ecology and Conservation
Starting dates and places
Description
AC078
2 years full-time or up to 6 years part-time.
Marine ecology is an integrative science that studies the basic structural and functional relationships within and among living populations and their physical−chemical environments in marine ecosystems. It is a discipline which draws on all the major fields within the biological sciences, focusing on specific organisms as well as particular environments. The importance of conserving marine species and ecosystems is growing as a consequence of human activities (including over−fishing, over−utilisation, degradation and loss of coastal and marine habitats, introduction of non−native species) and the intensification of global climate change. As…
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AC078
2 years full-time or up to 6 years part-time.
Marine ecology is an integrative science that studies the basic structural and functional relationships within and among living populations and their physical−chemical environments in marine ecosystems. It is a discipline which draws on all the major fields within the biological sciences, focusing on specific organisms as well as particular environments. The importance of conserving marine species and ecosystems is growing as a consequence of human activities (including over−fishing, over−utilisation, degradation and loss of coastal and marine habitats, introduction of non−native species) and the intensification of global climate change. As a result, the field of marine conservation and the management of marine species and ecosystems to prevent their decline are more important that ever before.
Qualification
FdSc Marine Ecology and Conservation
Course Content
This 2 year full time course requires 3 days per week attendance and includes a 300 hour industry placement prior to starting year 2. The course is presented through a combination of lectures, discussions, assignments, practical activities, visiting guest speakers, specialist visits and work experience. Students can also expect to attend a study tour.
Study and Research Skills
This unit aims to provide you with the necessary framework of study
and research skills required to undertake the programme. It covers
essential academic techniques and transferable skills and allows
you to begin to develop your research ideas using appropriate
techniques in preparation for undertaking the Specialist Research
Project at Level I.
Introductory Marine Biology
This unit will provide an introduction to the ecology of the main
marine ecosystems, from estuaries, to intertidal zones, to
continental shelves and deep seas. It will consider the biology of
a range of marine animals (vertebrates and invertebrates),
including their taxonomy, identification and adaptations to their
environment. This unit will involve a wide variety of marine
biological fieldwork, allowing you to develop an appreciation for
the broad range of sampling techniques used by marine
ecologists.
Principles of Animal Behaviour
This unit aims to provide you with underpinning knowledge at an
appropriate level in relation to causation, development, function
and evolution of animal behaviour. The relationship between
environmental and evolutionary pressures on resulting behaviours
will be explored and examined in a variety of contexts e.g. animal
collections, production, livestock and conservation programmes.
It will include a historical overview of a range of controlled behavioural studies enabling you to differentiate and recognise the relationship between ethology and behavioural physiology. An understanding of the theoretical content and parallel development of reasoning skills at this stage will allow you to make objective judgements and deliver informed responses to a variety of practical and ethical questions in additional course units; crucially, Legislation and Ethics (KMC/6).
Conservation Ecology
This unit aims to provide you with a broad based awareness and
understanding of ecological principles, environmental issues and
biological diversity. Against this underpinning knowledge the unit
will help develop understanding of current threats and controls in
relation to habitats and resident species. Key concepts of
conservation, habitat restoration and legislation will be
introduced in this level C unit which will be relevant to further
level I units in your particular framework pathway.
Marine Environmental Science
This unit will provide you with the underpinning knowledge required
to understand the scientific processes which influence coastal /
marine ecosystems, with particular reference to human impacts on
these systems and how their study can be incorporated into
developing applied conservation strategies.
It will begin by examining the role of the main earth sciences in marine environmental systems and will then consider the key principles of coastal geomorphology and oceanography in relation to marine and coastal conservation. Finally, it will examine the impact of human activities on marine and coastal ecosystems, with consideration to marine pollution, environmental economics, epidemiology, political and legislative aspects of EU environmental policy and key aspects of environmental impact assessment.
Legislation and Ethics
This unit aims to provide you with a broad based awareness and
understanding of legislative instruments relevant to your programme
of study. Provisions at a Global, EU and UK level will be
considered and furthermore those factors pertinent to the effective
implementation and enforcement of legislature will be reviewed and
analysed.
Against this underpinning knowledge you will develop objective reasoning skills and abilities in order to consider the ethical and moral constraints surrounding environmental and / or in-situ and ex-situ animal management.
The ongoing research and recommendations of key industry and Government organizations (e.g. DEFRA) will be examined and the legal concepts of ‘due diligence’ and ‘duty of care’ will be introduced. Crucially, you will be introduced to the constructs of ethical debate and develop the reasoning and analytical skills that will be required in further units in your particular framework pathway.
Environmental Marine Animal Physiology
This unit will provide you with a detailed understanding of anatomy
and physiology in a range of marine animal species, considering the
structure and function of key organs and organ systems. This
knowledge will be underpinned by a detailed understanding of the
cellular basis of homeostatic mechanisms. You will develop a
comparative approach to studying the role of animal physiology in
adapting marine animals to a range of environmental pressures.
Work Based Learning
This unit complements the academic experience by providing
opportunities for you to develop the knowledge, skills and work
ethic necessary to succeed in industry.
Year Two / Level IZoology of Marine Invertebrates
This unit aims to provide you with a detailed knowledge of the
evolutionary relationships, classification, life history strategies
and conservation of the major groups of marine invertebrates. It
will begin by introducing the main principles of invertebrate
evolution and the taxonomic classification and identification of
the main invertebrate Phyla. It will then examine invertebrate
functional biology with reference to ecological, environmental and
conservation factors and the significance of key marine
invertebrate species in the conservation of a range of marine and
coastal ecosystems will be considered.
Finally, the unit will investigate a range of national and international in-situ and ex-situ techniques for the conservation of marine invertebrates.
Zoology of Marine Vertebrates
This module will provide you with a detailed knowledge of marine
vertebrate zoology, focussing on the taxonomy, physiology,
behaviour, ecology and conservation of fish, seabirds, marine
reptiles and marine mammals. It begins by providing an introduction
to the structure and functions of vertebrates as seen from an
evolutionary perspective and illustrates both the fundamental
similarities and taxonomic diversity of vertebrates.
It will consider the physiology, reproduction and nutrition of different groups of marine vertebrates and will demonstrate how the basic functional ecology, behaviour and specific evolutionary trend have implications for animal-human interactions and marine and coastal conservation. You will develop the required skills to undertake field observations on a range of species and in a variety of marine and coastal environments. Finally, opportunities will be presented to consider applied aspects of zoology such as fisheries, aquaculture, conservation biology and ecotourism.
Coastal Processes and Geomorphology
As the constantly changing interface between land and sea, and an
environment greatly influenced by global trends, the coast
represents an important aspect of marine conservation. The aim of
this unit is to provide you with a working knowledge of the
environments and processes that occur along the coastline and its
application to shoreline management.
It begins by introducing core concepts, global issues and processes that are common to many coastal environments including the morphodynamic paradigm, Quaternary sea-level fluctuations, tides, waves and sediment transport processes. It will then consider the morphodynamics of the five main types of coastal environments: fluvial-; tide-; and wave-dominated environments; rocky coasts; and coral reefs and islands. Finally, this unit will evaluate the impact of human activities on coastal systems and will consider the issue of coastal management and the role of legislative provision.
Marine and Coastal Conservation
This unit will take a global overview of the exploitation of living
marine resources and marine biological approaches to conservation,
covering marine biodiversity, critical habitats and environmental
threats, fisheries exploitation, coastal zone management and marine
protected areas. It will take a holistic approach to marine and
coastal conservation, considering the economic, environmental,
political and cultural influences on marine resource
management.
You will be provided with an overview of the current state of marine mammal populations and the major threats facing marine mammal conservation, including fisheries, pollution, disease, and habitat loss. Finally, this unit will critically review national and international marine and coastal conservation strategies and evaluate their effectiveness.
Aquaculture Health and Welfare
The aim of this unit is to deliver the detailed background science
relevant to commercial vertebrate and invertebrate aquaculture
within the context of the legislative framework that underpins
current practice. Specifically, it will review those husbandry and
management strategies that impact on the environment and directly
affect product quality.
You will debate the extent to which animal welfare is potentially affected, based on a consideration of behavioural requirements and an evaluation of research evidence pertaining to cognition and consciousness in fish and marine invertebrates of commercial significance, such as decapods. Given that disease control is a significant commercial and welfare concern within the aquaculture industry you will develop a critical understanding of principles that relate to disease outbreak investigation; to incorporate specific review of established and emerging diseases within aquaculture.
Specialist Research Project
This unit will enable you to choose a topic relevant to your
academic and professional development and undertake a sustained
investigation in that field. Your study will have a significant
practical contribution and will be used to encourage and test
initiative and independent thought. You will take responsibility
for the formulation of an investigation plan and an initial survey
of relevant information and possible methods of approach. You will
develop skills of independent enquiry and understand the difference
between a research question and hypotheses.
Scuba diving qualifications are available. Several field trips will be incorporated into the course and there will be an opportunity to attend a Study Tour.
Entry Requirements
2013 Entry: 120 tariff points including at least a grade C in 1 A-level level (preferred subjects include Biology, Environmental Sciences or Georgraphy), or an equivalent relevant Level 3 qualification e.g. BTEC National Diploma (preferred subjects include Animal Management or Countryside Management), or an Access to Higher Education Diploma.Minimum of 4 (grades A*-C) inlcuding Maths and English or appropriate Key Skills Level 2
In order for you to contribute fully to your course and enjoy your learning experience with us, you'll need to have the right skills to study with us. For that reason, we need to be sure that you can express yourself in written English, have basic numeracy skills and have an understanding of the subject area. We usually use Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework as a demonstration of these skills. Level 2 includes GCSEs and Key Skills Level 2. If you are a mature candidate who does not have formal qualifications to this level, we may still be able to consider your application - please contact the askBU enquiry service to find out more.
BU welcomes Access to HE Diploma applicants.
The Advanced diploma is broadly equivalent to three and a half
A-levels and the progression diploma to two and a half A-levels.
The diplomas are available in just a few subject areas and only
some of these are suitable to gain entry onto this course.
This course accepts the following progression diplomas in
conjunction with other qualifications:
*Environmental and Land Based Studies
This course accepts the following advanced diplomas:
*Environmental and Land Based Studies
Applications from students completing relevant BTEC Nationals
are welcome. Extended Diploma
This course requires PPP from the 18 unit Extended Diploma
Diploma
This course requires MP from the 12 unit Diploma
Subsidiary Diploma
This course requires a D from the 6 unit Subsidiary Diploma
We welcome applicants studying the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma or a combination of Pre-U subjects and A-levels
We welcome applicants completing the European Baccalaureate.
Scottish Advanced Highers, Scottish Highers and other Scottish qualifications are all welcomed providing that your results meet the overall course tariff.
IELTS 6.0 or above (with minimum 5.5 in each component)
What Next?
This qualification offers excellent employment opportunities in the areas of marine conservation organisations, aquariums, fish health and disease organisations and marine conservation education.
Next Dates
September 2013
Price
£6,000 pa.
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