Biology, Ecology and Conservation

About

On this programme, you’ll learn about the biodiversity of life on earth and key principles of ecology and conservation. You’ll learn through field classes, which take place in the South Downs National Park. The University is in the heart of the South Downs National Park, so your learning will be based on key themes:

- Biodiversity
- Ecology
- Conservation

You’ll also learn survey and identification skills through these field trips.

You’ll develop and gain an understanding of conservation and applied ecology in relation to real-world problems, through topics including biodiversity, community ecology, and practical land management for conservation. An example of this is the mowing of grasslands to help maintain grass cover, encourage re-growth, and productivity.

The School of Life Science has led research in biodiversity, with Professor Mika Peck establishing and supporting The Tesoro Escondido Reserve, created to conserve the critically endangered Ecuadorian brown-headed spider monkey. Professor Dave Goulson, founder of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, holds multiple awards, including the 2013 Zoological Society of London's Marsh Award for Conservation Biology.

Course aim

1. Understand biological principles essential to ecology and conservation

2. Develop knowledge of basic theories and concepts in ecology and conservation

3. Demonstrate understanding of conservation/applied ecology in relation to real-world problems

4. Present and interpret evidence from fieldwork on behavioural ecology

Fee info

The full cost of one 3-week Undergraduate Summer School session will be £2,645. Early applications will receive a 20% reduction on tuition fees, making the overall cost of one 3-week Undergraduate Summer School session £2320. If you wish to study for both sessions, we welcome you to do so. This is made up of Tuition fees of £1,625 per session including all teaching and assessment for one module of study. Where field trips or course excursions are required then the cost of this is included in the tuition fee, however travel costs may be required. A minimum of 150 study hours, with a minimum of 40 hours class/teaching contact hours. Modules formally approved for 15 Sussex credits, equivalent to 7.5 ECTS or 3 – 4 US credits. You will receive a transcript of studies upon successful completion of the module (including meeting all attendance and assessment requirements). A £300 lab fee will apply if your module involves lab work. The accommodation and student life programme fee of £1,020 per session includes your own bedroom in on-campus student village. These are a mixture of en-suite flats and standard flats with shared facilities. You will receive a bedding pack of duvet and duvet cover, sheet, towel, pillow, and pillowcase, as well as a kitchen pack containing everything you need for self-catering. The fee includes a programme of campus social events and activities throughout each session. Excursions and social programme trips will also be provided on Fridays.