(BSc) Bachelor of Science
Ecology and Environmental Biology (Including Year Abroad)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Life Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Biosciences
BSC C522
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
GCSE: Mathematics C/4
A-levels: BBB, including Biology or Environmental Science (or equivalent). Acceptable A-level equivalents are Environmental Technology, Geography, Life and Health Sciences and Marine Science.
BTEC: D*DD, depending on subject and units studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
IB: 30 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555. Either must include Higher Level Biology.
Plus Standard Level Mathematics, if not taken at Higher Level. We will accept grade 4 in either Standard Level Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Standard Level Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation.
Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject and units studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
T-levels: Merit, depending on subject studied -advice on acceptability can be provided.
What if I don’t achieve the grades I hoped?
If your final grades are not as high as you had hoped, the good news is you may still be able to secure a place with us on a course which includes a foundation year. Visit our undergraduate application information page for more details.
What if I have a non-traditional academic background?
Don’t worry. To gain a deeper knowledge of your course suitability, we will look at your educational and employment history, together with your personal statement and reference.
You may be considered for entry into Year 1 of your chosen course. Alternatively, some UK and EU applicants may be considered for Essex Pathways, an additional year of study (known as a foundation year/year 0) helping students gain the necessary skills and knowledge in order to succeed on their chosen course. You can find a list of Essex Pathways courses and entry requirements here
If you are a mature student, further information is here
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall. Different requirements apply for second year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications
If you are an international student requiring a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College here.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Prof Edgar Turner
Professor of Insect Ecology
University of Cambridge
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
An understanding of living systems, and the varied levels of complexity from molecules to organisms
An understanding of interdisciplinary methods and approaches to research and knowledge acquisition
An ability to analyse current ecological and environmental biology questions and to suggest solutions
A general scientific education including training in handling and interpretation of quantitative information and the ability to plan and carry out desk, laboratory or computation-based research under supervision
The key skills of communication, numeracy, ITC use, problem solving, working with others, self-evaluation and self-improvement, and autonomous learning using global sustainability as a context and focus
The key employability skills required for careers in ecology and environmental biology
A foundation of knowledge, understanding and skills required for further study and research
An awareness of the need for compliance with health, safety and ethical policies in ecology and environmental biology research
An appreciation of the need for, and importance of, lifelong learning and personal development planning
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: A systematic understanding of the interrelated areas of biology, ecology and environmental sciences
A2: Coherent and detailed knowledge of the different levels of biological organisation and complexity, from genes to ecosystems
A3: Conceptual knowledge of key biological and ecological processes at either the molecular, cellular or organismal level some of which is at an advanced level
A4: A thorough understanding of appropriate and practical mixed scientific methods and approaches: observation, interviewing, experimentation, modelling; and techniques used in their analysis
A5: Conceptual understanding of key environmental issues facing society (e.g. climate change, pollution, habitat loss)
Learning methods
Interactive ‘lectures’ and seminars are the principal method of delivery of A1 to A5.
Lectures direct students to textbooks and on-line material (Years 1 to 3), and reviews and research papers (Year 2 and particularly Year 3).
Field and laboratory practicals as well as residential field courses in Years 1-3 complement lectures and develop A1 to A5.
Coursework associated with modules in Years 2 and 3 develop A1 to A5
The research project in Year 3 teaches and develops A4 and also a range of A1-A5 (depending on project topic).
Assessment methods
A1 to A5 are assessed by:
Multiple Choice Questions, worksheets (Year 1)
Essays and data analysis, problem solving (Years 2 and 3)
Oral and written practical reports (Years 1 and 2)
Exercises in data analysis and interpretation (DAI), (Years 2 and 3)
Exams: Essays (Years 1 and 2) and questions involving DAI (Years 2 and 3)
The individual Year 3 research project, covering a range of A2 to A5 (depending on project topic) tests understanding in depth and is assessed by an individual written report and an oral presentation.
Oral presentations and group project work in the Translational ecology module (Year 3) are used to assess A5.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Retrieve, select and collate appropriate biological and ecological information
B2: Evaluate primary and secondary evidence and arguments
B3: Analyse and interpret quantitative information in graphs, figures, tables and equations.
B4: Integrate and link information across course components, including material met in different years, from different disciplines and covering different scales of organisation.
B5: Plan and conduct a research task (including logistics, risk assessment and ethical approval where appropriate)
Learning methods
Setting of directed learning topics (Years 1 and 2) develops skills in B1, B2 and B4.
B1 and B2 are partly covered by training in exam essay writing in Year 1 tutorials and further developed by coursework essays (Years 2 and 3).
B2 and B3 are taught by specific inclusion of data analysis in lectures and classes in Years 2 and 3 and through progressive development of DAI coursework in Years 2 and 3.
B1 to B3 and in some cases B4, are developed through analyses and presentation of results of practical work in Years 1 to 3.
B4 is achieved by progressive subject development through the 3 years and the "Issues" course in Year 3.
B5 is taught via the Year 3 individual research project module.
B6 is taught in Year 1 skills modules and developed throughout the degree via practical coursework (Years 1 and 2) and in the final year research project.
Assessment methods
B1, B2 and B4 are assessed by coursework and exam essays (Years 1 to 3).
B2 and B3 are assessed by coursework and compulsory exam DAI questions (Years 2 and 3), practical reports (Years 1 and 2) and the research project report (Year 3).
B4 is assessed by integrative exam questions and coursework in the Issues/Field Course module in Year 3.
B1 to B5 are also assessed in the Year 3 individual research project.
B6 is assessed in Year 1 & 2 practicals and in the Year 3 research project.
C: Practical skills
C1: Able to carry out basic experiments in the laboratory and the field safely and effectively following a written schedule.
C2: Use appropriate laboratory equipment safely and effectively.
C3: Able to explain the principles and limitations of a range of more advanced practical techniques
C4: Able to use appropriate software packages for simulations, modelling and statistical analysis.
C5: Demonstrate clear ability in project planning and management
Learning methods
Skills C1 to C3 are taught in supervised practicals in Years 1 and 2
Lectures in Years 1 to 3 teach aspects of C1 and C3.
Independent project work in research laboratories or in the field in Year 3 also teaches and develops C1 to C3.
As part of C1 to C3, safety and ethical issues are addressed through practical documentation (Years 1 and 2) and developed by students preparing risk assessments and ethical permissions and consents where appropriate for Year 3 research projects.
C4 is addressed through IT and statistics training in Year 1, and the use of more specialised software is taught or developed in practicals in Year 2 and the project in Year 3.
Assessment methods
C1 is assessed through Year 1 practicals, Year 2 summer course (laboratory or field) and the Year 3 research project.
C2 is assessed in some Year 1 and 2 practicals.
C3 is assessed in many practicals in Years 1 and 2 and in theory exams in Year 1 to 3.
C4 is assessed in several Year 2 practicals, the Year 1 skills module and in the final year Research Project module.
D: Key skills
D1: Able to write clearly in: a) logically argued essays; b) longer reports, including basic scientific papers; c) a variety of other pieces of work for different target audiences; d) e-communications, in particular email. Plan, write and give oral presentations
D2: (i) Use of current networked PC operating systems for normal file management,
(ii) Use current common word-processing, spreadsheet, web browsing and email packages,
(iii) Ability to locate and use on-line catalogues and databases
D3: (i) Use appropriate precision, scales, units, scientific notation, ratios, fractions, percentages, powers of 10, logarithms and exponentials.
(ii) Use simple algebra and trigonometry.
(iii) Use approximations for mental arithmetic estimation and verification.
D4: Explore, analyse and find effective solutions for problems involving moderately complex information.
D5: Work effectively as part of a team to collect data and/or to produce reports and presentations
D6: Study independently, plan work and time to meet targets within deadlines; Reflect on feedback on assessed work and on their academic progress; Reflect, plan, record and document their personal developmen
Learning methods
Essay writing skills (D1) are taught in the Year 1 tutorials, the Scientific and Transferable Skills for Biosciences module and developed in all subsequent modules. Required length of essays and reports grows from Year 1 to 3.
Oral presentation skills (D1) are developed in some practicals and lecture modules, the summer laboratory course (Year 2), and the Research Project module in Year 3.
IT use (D2) is taught in Year 1, particularly in the Scientific and Transferable Skills for Biosciences module and developed throughout all years. Most coursework from Year 2 onwards must be word-processed, and other computer produced work is required for some practical assignments in Year 2 and in the Year 3 research project, and in the Issues module.
Library, on line catalogue and web skills (D2) are taught in Year 1; developed by provision of module-related material on the Web and through preparation of the research project report (Year 3). Web-based material (D2) is used in several modules including practicals.
D3 is taught in lectures & seminars (Year1) and developed in many subsequent modules (Year 1 to Year 3).
D4 taught through DAI questions in Years 2 and 3, and in some practical classes, and developed in the Issues module, and in supervised project work (Year 3).
Team work (D5) is introduced in some Year 1 practicals and developed in the summer laboratory course (Year 2), in Year 2 practicals and in the Year 3 Issues module.
D6 is addressed in the Scientific and Transferable Skills for Biosciences module in Year 1, developed through the provision of explicit directed learning tasks (Years 1 and 2), increasing amounts of student managed learning from Year 1 to Year 3, attendance monitoring, rigid deadlines, feedback on assignments and discussions with personal tutor. D6 planning component is developed in the Year 3 Research Project module.
Assessment methods
Written skills (D1) are assessed through essays in coursework and exams (Years 1 to 3), in practical reports (Years 1 and 2), in the Issues module and the research project report (Year 3).
Oral presentation skills (D1) are assessed in the Year 2 summer course (field) and in some practicals, in Year 3 Issues Module and in the Year 3 Research Project module.
IT and Maths skills (D2 and D3) are assessed through worksheets and exams in Year 1.
Thereafter, practical work, coursework and exam questions throughout the degree course assess numerical skills.
Most coursework from year 2 onwards has to be prepared by computer and submitted on-line.
Problem solving (D4) is assessed in some of the Year 2 practicals, in the Year 3 Issues Module, in DAI questions in Years 2 and 3 exams and in the final year research project.
D5 is assessed through team presentations in some Year 2 practical work and in the Issues module.
D6 is assessed indirectly by examining directed learning material (Years 1 and 2), by awarding marks for evidence of additional reading and by imposing strict deadlines for coursework assignments.
D6 PDP is assessed in year 1 Scientific and Transferable Skills for Biosciences through the development of a cv and e-portfolio, and is developed in Year 2 Skills module.
The planning component of D6 is assessed in the Year 3 Research Project module.