Various teaching methods are used including lectures, practicals, tutorials, seminars and surgeries. Practical aspects of the subject are emphasised, and all students participate in at least two weeks of field work, currently in Oxfordshire, Devon and Southern France, which provides hands-on experience of ecological techniques. Additional practical experience is provided by laboratory exercises in subjects ranging from microbiology to plant physiology. Other topics such as natural selection and population growth are simulated by computer programs. Assessment includes a high proportion of coursework, with fieldwork skills, report writing, verbal communication, group reports, practical write-ups and problem solving all integral to particular modules.
Examinations also form an essential part of the assessment of most modules.
Career Prospects Ecology graduates are well equipped for employment in the environmental field. They have a solid grounding in ecological techniques, a good grasp of methods of analysis and identification techniques and an awareness of the broad implications of their study, as well as specialist knowledge in their chosen subject areas. Our graduates compete successfully for jobs in environmental bodies, the scientific civil service, consultancies and local authorities as trainee environmental health officers. Many also continue in higher education, studying for higher degrees or training to be teachers. You will also gain skills from your other area of study.