Applied Ecology Foundation Degree FdSc - 2012:13
| Location: | Merrist Wood College | | UCAS Code: | CD14 | | Year | 2012:13 | | Start Date: | Starting September 2012 | | Duration: | 2 Years | | Attendance: | 2 days a week at college, 1 day work-based learning | | FT/PT: | Full-Time | | | | | Exam Board: | Kingston University | | Level: | 5 | | Tuition Fees: | £4750 | | Exam Fees: | £0 | | Other Fees: | £0 | | |  
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Why Study Here
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400 acre estate provides a wonderful natural environment with its own unique biodiversity for students to study
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Extensive woodland providing opportunities for ecological sudies and practical habitat management
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Availability of on-site facilities for developing surveying and land management skills
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Strong industrial links with local employers
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Dedicated laboratories and technician support available to HE students
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Extensive field trips to explore a range of sites in local counties
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Lecturers all have professional industry experience
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Development of employability skills required by the sector
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Develop your knowledge of trends and developments in the countryside and how this information is recorded and used
Application Process Application followed by individual interview
Entry Requirements
160 UCAS points as demonstrated by:
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BTEC National Diploma in a relevant subject
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An A Level profile showing a competent performance in at least two subjects with supporting GCSE passes at grades A-C in Maths, English and Science
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An Access to Higher Education Certificate
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Other relevant Level 3 qualifications e.g. NVQ 3 or Advanced Diploma
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Mature students with extensive work experience and/or relevant professional qualifications.
Places are subject to successful interview and offer
Content / Overview
This applied science-based course will provide you with the opportunity to link academic theory, work-based learning and practical field work. The course covers both historical and contemporary changes in the environment and focuses on the impacts that humans have on the environment and how these can be mitigated against. Students are taught via traditional lectures, lab work, field practicals, seminars and guest speakers. The College has outstanding links with local employers in the field of ecology and countryside management and students are able to draw upon a wide range of resources on this course.
Knowledge & Understanding
On successful completion, students will be able to:
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Demonstrate an understanding of applied ecology and countryside management from theory, experiments, investigations, fieldwork and application of principles
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Appreciate the importance of habitat management to support the plant and animal communities
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Apply knowledge of plant and animal ecology to the management of land use
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Demonstrate knowledge of and issues which are of current concern to society or the world
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Recognise the linkages of the subject with biology, environment, society and human behaviour
Cognitive (Thinking) Skills
On successful completion, students will be able to;
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Recognise and apply theory, concepts and principles from diverse disciplines appropriately
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Analyse information; synthesizing and summarising the outcomes
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Apply knoweldge and understanding to address both simple, unpredictable and complex but predictable problems
Practical Skills
On successful completion, students will be able to:
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Collect and record information or data from primary or secondary sources including library, laboratory or field, summarising it using appropriate qualitative and quantitative technicques
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Devise, plan and undertake field and laboratory investigations in a responsible and safe manner, paying due attention to risk assessment, rights of access, relevant health and safety regulations, legal requirements and stakeholders
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Use a range of survey techniques to identify and record plant and animal species
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Identify a range of flora and fauna in their ecological niches
Transferable (Key) Skills
On completion students will have acquired the following transferable skills:
Self awareness skills:
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Take responsiblity for own learning and plan for and record own personal development
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Recognise own academic strengths and weaknesses, reflect on performance and progress and respond to feedback
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Organise self effectively, agreeing and setting realistic targets, accessing support where appropriate and managing time to achieve targets
Communication skills:
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Express ideas clearly and unambiguously in writing and the spoken word (including CV writing)
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Present, challenge and defend ideas effectively
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Actively listen to ideas of others in an unbiased way
Interpersonal skills:
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Work well with others in a group or team
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Work flexibly and respond to change
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Discuss and debate with others and make concessions to reach agreement
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Give, accept and respond to constructive feedback
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Show sensitivity and respect for diverse values and beliefs
Research and information literacy skills:
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Search for and select relevant sources of information
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Evaluate information and use it appropriately
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Apply the ethical and legal requirements in both the access and use of information
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Accurately cite and reference information sources
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Use software and IT technology as appropriate
Numeracy:
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Appreciate issues of sample selection, accuracy, precision and uncertainty during collection recording and analysis of data
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Handle and understand number as required for context
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Interpret and apply data to inform judgements
Management and leadership skills:
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Determine the scope or task (or project)
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Identify resources needed to undertake the task (or project) and schedule and manage the resources
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Evidence ability to successfully complete and evaluate a task (or project), revising the plan where necessary
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Motivate and direct others to enable an effective contribution from all participants
Creativity and problem solving skills:
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View problems from a range of perspectives to fin solutions to problems
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Imagine, create and exploit ideas
Course Modules
Year 1: Professional development in the work environment (15 credits Level 4); the global environment (15 credits Level 4); earth processes (15 credits Level 4); ecology and ecological surveying (30 credits Level 4); field biology (15 credits Level 4); climate change and ecosystems (15 credits Level 4); anthropogenic impacts on the environment (15 credits Level 4). Total 120 credits.
Year 2: Professional development in the work environment (15 credits Level 5); landscape ecology (15 credits Level 5); investigative project (15 credits Level 5); applied ecology (30 credits Level 5); ecological surveying (15 credits Level 5); principles of sustainable development (15 credits Level 5); environmental legislation and mitigation (15 credits Level 5). Total 120 credits.
Assessment Most modules will have two pieces/types of assessment. You will be assessed through a range of written assessments, practical assignments, examinations and presentations. An integral part of the course is your own self study related to the topics that are covered during formal sessions. As a guide, you are expected to undertake at least one hour of personal study for every hour of formal sessions identified on your timetable. Some students may require a little less, others will require considerably more to gain the most from their studies. It is your responsibility to identify the appropriate amount of weekly self study and manage your time effectively to enable you to engage fully in your studies.
Careers Top up to the Environmental Science BSc (Hons) at Kingston University or Conservation Management BSc (Hons), jointly delivered by Merrist Wood College and Kingston University.
Additional Information You must have anti-tetanus injections prior to the start of the course or be up-to-date with vaccinations. All students should have adequate clothing for outdoor work in inclement weather.
Contact Details Merrist Wood College, Careers, Advice and Guidance Tel: 01483 88 40 40 or mwinfo@guildford.ac.uk
All students aged 19 years or over on 1 September in the first year of their course are expected to pay tuition, registration, exam fees and all other course related costs. Some assistance with these costs may be available depending on your circumstances and the latest government funding position. There are normally no tuition, registration or examination fees to pay if you are aged 16-18 on 1 September in the first year of your course and are a British or European Union resident. This does not apply to HNCs/Ds, Foundation Degrees, Degrees or courses that do not attract government funding.
More information on fees and financial help More information on international student fees