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  • Biodiversity and Conservation (BSc / Diploma of Higher Education / Certificate of Higher Education)

Contact our course team

Department of Biological Sciences
tel: 020 7079 0798
email: courses@sbc. bbk.ac.uk

  • Duration
      • BSc: four years part-time.
      • Diploma of Higher Education: three years part-time.
      • Certificate of Higher Education: two years part-time.
      • Students who have obtained the Graduate Certificate in Ecology and Environment (worth 90 credits) can complete the BSc in three years.
  • Attendance
      • Two evenings a week.
      • October–June.
      • Weekend and residential field courses throughout the year.
  • Location
      • Central London.
  • Entry requirements
      • Over 21: evidence of a strong motivation to study and of a strong interest in biodiversity and conservation.
      • Under 21: normal university entry requirements.
      • Students without normal entry requirements may take the Certificate of Higher Education or the Certificate of Continuing Education in Biology, which, if successfully completed, give credits towards the BSc programme. The Foundation Degree in Science is another direct route onto the BSc programme.
  • Teaching

    • A wide range of teaching methods are employed, including lectures, laboratory practicals, field courses and seminars. There is a one-week residential course in field biology in July/August at the end of the first year and another (also in July/August) at the end of the second or third year. There are three other field-based modules held in the vicinity of London, consisting of three linked weekends.

  • Assessment

    • All modules have continuous assessment, and most have an unseen written examination. Assessed coursework includes practical reports, essays, problem-solving and data analysis, oral communications and poster presentations, and computer-based exercises.

  • Study resources
    • Most modules have on-line support via the Bloomsbury Learning Environment.
  • Fees (2009/2010)
      • Home/EU students: £1716 pa
      • Overseas students: £3936 pa
      • An extra fee is applicable to residential field courses. 
  • When to apply
      • We encourage you to apply as early as possible.
      • Interviews held throughout the year.
  • Make your application
  • Supplementary information
Prospective students >> Our courses >> Undergraduate courses, 2010/2011 entry >> Environment studies >> Biodiversity and Conservation (BSc / Diploma of Higher Education / Certificate of Higher Education)

Biodiversity and Conservation (BSc / Diploma of Higher Education / Certificate of Higher Education) - 2010/2011 entry


Why study this course at Birkbeck?

  • Helps you to develop an understanding of natural history in a structured way.
  • Provides a firm foundation in biological sciences as a preparation for employment or further training.
  • Opportunity to take part in field classes to put your skills into practice.  

We are committed to making the environmental sciences accessible to students with a wide range of backgrounds and with diverse career aspirations. We provide a range of teaching approaches and learning experiences that enable students to become confident, competent and autonomous learners.

In this programme the diversity of living organisms is an overarching theme, and this diversity is placed within an ecological and evolutionary context. The interplay between institutional, legislative and political factors with respect to issues of ecology and conservation is considered. Teaching is informed by the research interests of the academic staff, which cover key areas across the biological sciences, botany, microbiology and zoology.

What will I be studying?

You normally take modules to the value of 90 credits in each year to obtain: 120 credits for the Certificate of Higher Education; 240 credits for the Diploma of Higher Education; and 360 credits for the BSc. All modules listed below are worth 30 credits, except where indicated.

Year 1
  • Field Biology 
  • From Molecules to Ecosystems
  • Practical Skills for the Biosciences.

Year 2

  • Ecological Communities: Structure and Function 
  • Introduction to Microbes and Plants
  • Genetics.

Years 3 and 4

  • Evolutionary Biology (2010 start)
  • Topics in Botany (2010 start)
  • Environmental Biology (2011 start) 
  • Conservation: People, Policy and Practice (run annually) 
  • Conservation Management Planning (three weekend field trips, worth 15 credits)
  • Environmental Interpretation (three weekend field trips, worth 15 credits)
  • Research Methods and Statistics (run annually).

In the final year of the BSc you must undertake a Biology Literature Project (30 credits) and additional modules to the value of 60 credits. For eligible students, one of these may include a Biology Experimental Project (30 credits). 

Find out more about these modules.

Make your application

You can apply online from the link below.

What can I go on to do?

We offer an MSc Environmental Management (Protected Area/Countryside Management).

Biodiversity graduates also go on to careers in countryside management, conservation, environmental education, tourism, planning and policy-making.

Alternative courses

If you already have a BA/BSc degree, you might want to consider taking one of our one-year or two-year part-time Graduate Certificates/Diplomas instead of a BSc. These can be used as preparation for Master's study, and although you will have to pay a higher fee, they can be completed more quickly than a BSc degree.

Last modified: 11 Mar 2010 15.37

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