BI3ACB1: Advanced Conservation Biology

Module code: BI3ACB1

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Jamie Thompson, email: j.b.thompson@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Miss Vicky Boult, email: v.l.boult@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the science of conservation biology and its use in the sustainable management of genes, species, communities and habitats.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Describe the main ecological and genetic principles of conservation biology.
2. Critically assess the value of these principles in addressing a range of different 'real world' conservation problems.
3. Apply ecological principles to address 'real world' conservation problems.
4. Place the role and value of wildlife and habitat conservation into a socioeconomic and philosophical framework.

Module content

The course will include conservation philosophy and how it sits within socio-economic reality. Threats to biodiversity from habitat loss, invasive species, pollution and global climate change are extensively explored. Strategies deployed to counteract biodiversity loss are considered and the strengths and weaknesses of these strategies are examined. Ex-situ as well as in-situ conservation is covered. Factors associated with mammalian, bird and insect conservation are considered. The drivers and global distribution of rarity is given special attention. The material covered draws on examples from different biomes from across the world and considers both vertebrate and invertebrate species.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

There will be lectures to explore various aspects of conservation biology. The lectures are interactive and students are encouraged throughout to test their knowledge and identification skills. Special cases will be delivered by external speakers.

Study hours

At least 30 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

The student must obtain an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

During lectures and seminars, there will be opportunities to discuss ideas and to receive feedback from peers and lectures.

Reassessment

Additional costs