Foundation Degree in Zoo Science and Wildlife Conservation
Threats to wildlife habitats and the biodiversity of our environment are ever-evolving. To counter these threats and protect our endangered species the study of Zoo Science and Wildlife Conservation is more important than ever before.
By choosing to study Zoo Science and Wildlife Conservation at Hopwood Hall College you will learn how to be part of the solution. You will learn how to protect wildlife habitats and ensure that future generations can enjoy our natural world and the incredible species that live within it.
Ideally located in the heart of a unique ancient woodland setting comprised of over 70 acres which borders the local nature reserve, the college’s Animal Centre is home to an extensive collection of rare and endangered species. This collection enables students to work with Keeled Box Turtles, Golden Mantellas, Straw Coloured Fruit Bats, Savu Island Pythons and more.
This Foundation Degree will provide you with the skills and knowledge to develop yourself as a Zoo Science and Wildlife Conservation Practitioner, in preparation for future employment or continued study. The course will equip you with a solid foundation of the biological, ecological and husbandry principles that underpin zoo science and conservation.
As a Zoo Science and Wildlife Conservation student, you will cultivate crucial industry skills at the unique setting of our on-site Animal Management Centre, a state-of-the-art facility housing a number of exotic and domestic animals. The college's animal department also has its own veterinary suite, intensive care unit, nocturnal room, on-site dog kennels and ample space for animal handling/demonstrating. These facilities are invaluable to undergraduate students developing practical, technical animal management skills, in a range of work-based learning settings.
This course combines lectures, group work, practical sessions and independent research. Throughout the course you will be applying your theoretical knowledge to practice both in group work and the work setting.Work-based learning opportunities are an integral part of the Foundation Degree programme as both a period of work experience in the Zoo Science and Conservation sector and as a range of transferable employability skills embedded with all programme modules at level 4 and 5. This will not only give you valuable experience, but can often lead directly to employment opportunities.
Compulsory modules in Year 1 - Level 4:
- Animal Biology - 20 Credit points
- Animal Behaviour - 20 Credit points
- Zoo Animal Husbandry - 20 Credit points
- Zoological Collections - 20 Credit points
- Ecological Principles - 20 Credit Points
- Professional Skills in the Zoo Industry - 20 Credit points
Compulsory modules in Year 2 - Level 5:
- Comparative Anatomy and Physiology - 20 Credit points
- Animal Health and Welfare - 20 Credit points
- Species Conservation - 20 Credit points
- Anthrozoology - 20 Credit points
- Conservation Breeding and Genetics - 20 Credit points
- Field Research and Data Analysis - 20 Credit points
This course is taught at our Middleton campus, located in Middleton, Greater Manchester.
Applying:
You can apply for this course via the UCAS website HERE.
UCAS Code: ZSC1
Institution Code: H54
Qualification: Level 5 Foundation Degree in Zoo Science and Wildlife Conservation.
Foundation Degree in Zoo Science and Wildlife Conservation
Threats to wildlife habitats and the biodiversity of our environment are ever-evolving. To counter these threats and protect our endangered species the study of Zoo Science and Wildlife Conservation is more important than ever before.
By choosing to study Zoo Science and Wildlife Conservation at Hopwood Hall College you will learn how to be part of the solution. You will learn how to protect wildlife habitats and ensure that future generations can enjoy our natural world and the incredible species that live within it.
Ideally located in the heart of a unique ancient woodland setting comprised of over 70 acres which borders the local nature reserve, the college’s Animal Centre is home to an extensive collection of rare and endangered species. This collection enables students to work with Keeled Box Turtles, Golden Mantellas, Straw Coloured Fruit Bats, Savu Island Pythons and more.
This Foundation Degree will provide you with the skills and knowledge to develop yourself as a Zoo Science and Wildlife Conservation Practitioner, in preparation for future employment or continued study. The course will equip you with a solid foundation of the biological, ecological and husbandry principles that underpin zoo science and conservation.
As a Zoo Science and Wildlife Conservation student, you will cultivate crucial industry skills at the unique setting of our on-site Animal Management Centre, a state-of-the-art facility housing a number of exotic and domestic animals. The college's animal department also has its own veterinary suite, intensive care unit, nocturnal room, on-site dog kennels and ample space for animal handling/demonstrating. These facilities are invaluable to undergraduate students developing practical, technical animal management skills, in a range of work-based learning settings.
This course combines lectures, group work, practical sessions and independent research. Throughout the course you will be applying your theoretical knowledge to practice both in group work and the work setting.Work-based learning opportunities are an integral part of the Foundation Degree programme as both a period of work experience in the Zoo Science and Conservation sector and as a range of transferable employability skills embedded with all programme modules at level 4 and 5. This will not only give you valuable experience, but can often lead directly to employment opportunities.
Compulsory modules in Year 1 - Level 4:
- Animal Biology - 20 Credit points
- Animal Behaviour - 20 Credit points
- Zoo Animal Husbandry - 20 Credit points
- Zoological Collections - 20 Credit points
- Ecological Principles - 20 Credit Points
- Professional Skills in the Zoo Industry - 20 Credit points
Compulsory modules in Year 2 - Level 5:
- Comparative Anatomy and Physiology - 20 Credit points
- Animal Health and Welfare - 20 Credit points
- Species Conservation - 20 Credit points
- Anthrozoology - 20 Credit points
- Conservation Breeding and Genetics - 20 Credit points
- Field Research and Data Analysis - 20 Credit points
This course is taught at our Middleton campus, located in Middleton, Greater Manchester.
Applying:
You can apply for this course via the UCAS website HERE.
UCAS Code: ZSC1
Institution Code: H54
Qualification: Level 5 Foundation Degree in Zoo Science and Wildlife Conservation.
Entry Requirements
GCSE English Language, Maths and Science Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
Level 3 qualification preferably in a relevant subject such as an Extended Diploma in Animal Management (Equivalent to 80 UCAS Points).
Relevant industry experience would also be considered.
Details
This course is validated by the Open University.
Compulsory modules in Year 1 - Level 4:
- Animal Biology - 20 Credit points
- Animal Behaviour - 20 Credit points
- Zoo Animal Husbandry - 20 Credit points
- Zoological Collections - 20 Credit points
- Ecological Principles - 20 Credit Points
- Professional Skills in the Zoo Industry - 20 Credit points
Compulsory modules in Year 2 - Level 5:
- Comparative Anatomy and Physiology - 20 Credit points
- Animal Health and Welfare - 20 Credit points
- Species Conservation - 20 Credit points
- Anthrozoology - 20 Credit points
- Conservation Breeding and Genetics - 20 Credit points
- Field Research and Data Analysis - 20 Credit points
These modules will be assessed through presentations, practical assignments, discussions, reports, essays, and exams.
Level 4 Exit Award: Level 4 Foundation Degree Certificate in Higher Education for Zoo Science & Wildlife Conservation.
Level 5 Exit Award: Level 5 Foundation Degree Award in Higher Education for Zoo Science & Wildlife Conservation.
Course Fees:
- £6,185 per year (full time)
- £3,100 per year (part time)
Please note, part time Level 4 and 5 will each take 2 years (4 years in total). Course fees are subject to the Refund and Fees Policy.
There are a range of residential options on this course, including the Sea Turtle Conservation Field Trip to Kefalonia, Greece. In the past, this trip has cost between £1,700 - £1,900. This includes flights, all transfers, accommodation, meals and activities. These residentials are recommended, but not compulsory. If you are unable to take part in any residential due to reasons such as financial or family concerns, you will be offered the chance to complete an alternative project.
All students will be expected to provide their own appropriate fieldwork and outdoor work clothing, including walking boots (with ankle support), steel toe capped boots, and waterproof trousers and coat.
The below table provides a breakdown of opportunities and associated notional hours to make up the 60 credit (600 hours) of work-based learning on the programme over both years:
|
Module
|
Credit Value
|
Level
|
Semester
|
Notional Hours
|
|
Professional Skills in the Zoo Industry
|
20
|
4
|
1 & 2
|
150 hours off-site work placement
50 hours on work-based learning assessment and reflective logbook.
|
|
Ecological Principles
|
20
|
4
|
1
|
20 hours seminars/workshops technique.
20 hours supervised practical surveying/fieldwork.
|
|
Animal Behaviour
|
20
|
4
|
1
|
20 hours devising methodologies and implementing behaviour observations
|
|
Zoo Animal Husbandry
|
20
|
4
|
2
|
100 hours practical animal husbandry skills (on-site)
|
|
Field Research and Data Analysis
|
20
|
5
|
1 & 2
|
80 hours overseas or UK residential trip undertaking field research.
|
|
Animal Health and Welfare
|
20
|
5
|
1
|
20 hours tutor-led workshops on gathering data.
20 hours practical animal welfare assessment.
20 hours enrichment/management planning for welfare improvements/enhancement
|
|
Species Conservation
|
20
|
5
|
2
|
20 hours practical conservation skills development.
|
|
Conservation Breeding and Genetics
|
20
|
5
|
2
|
10 Tutor-led workshops on genetics software and breeding planning in zoos.
|
|
Additional: Educational talks from industry expert guest speakers and external work-based learning visits.
|
26 Guest speaker hours
44 External visits hours
|
|
Total Hours:
|
600
|
Work Experience
Work-based learning opportunities are an integral part of the Foundation Degree programme as both a period of work experience in the Zoo Science and Conservation sector and as a range of transferable employability skills embedded with all programme modules at Level 4 and 5.
Units such as Ecological Professional Skills in the Zoo Industry, and Field Research have the option of being completed on-site as the college is surrounded by nature reserves and ancient woodland, working with partners such as Greater Manchester Ecology Unit, or overseas as part of established residentials such as the Sea Turtle Conservation project in Kefalonia, Greece, in partnership with Flooglebinder.
Students will be actively encouraged to source their own work placement. However, full support will be provided by our internal Careers and Workplace teams, as well as each module tutor.
Progression
The Foundation Degree gives you all the essential knowledge and skills required to work in the zoo science and wildlife conservation sector, allowing you to progress onto our Level 6 BSc in Zoo Science and Wildlife Conservation or into employment. Typical job roles include:
- Zookeeper / Safari Park Ranger
- Wildlife Ranger
- Environmental Education
- Environmental Consultant
- Local government and council environmental officers
- Research Scientist
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