Key Info
Learning Area Wildlife Conservation & Zoology
Delivery Mode Full-time
Duration 2 Years
Institution Code C78
Dates & Locations
Course Type University
Location Cornwall College Newquay
Start Date 13/09/2021
UCAS Code XP33
Take a look at your smart phone, your tablet, your laptop, your computer. In your hand, under your fingers, is the final result of mathematical theory, engineering know-how, scientific understanding and technological inspiration. It is fused with design and art so it appeals to your sense of aesthetic and to your emotions. It allows you to be creative.
So should a degree course. Single subject courses made sense in the twentieth century but in the twenty-first, life, employment, is a lot more complex and inter-disciplinary. Global problems require an ability to understand a range of subjects and combine them to propose global solutions. This is the case for conservation. Understanding the conservation science is one thing but explaining the issues and proposing the solutions to the general public is quite another. Most conservation science jobs require these skills: educators in zoos, aquariums and nature reserves, science journalists, wildlife media creators, wildlife guides, wildlife campaign managers, project coordinators, fundraisers for charities.
The FdSc Wildlife Education and Media course does just that. It teaches you the zoological conservation science that makes you a conservation scientist but it also provides skills in educating a range of audiences, both in person and through a range of media. It is a theoretical course but it is also a practical and applied course: Pop-Up Nature Centres, British Science Week activity, interpretation development, storytelling, writing journalistic copy, producing films and podcasts. You don’t just learn but do. Employers like that and this is why this small course has been successful in getting graduates into jobs, especially if you complete the one-year top-up in BSc (Hons) Applied Zoology. You produce a portfolio to evidence your skills. You learn industry standard software. We guide you to become more employable.
Other skills and knowledge you’ll gain include:
• Learning subjects like ecology, zoology, biodiversity, evolution, animal behaviour and species/habitat conservation
• Developing environmental interpretation for use by the public
• Learning how to teach through running our dedicated pop-up nature centre
• Planning and running an educational event for British Science Week
• Learning how to use digital cameras for wildlife photography/film-making and industry-standard specialist software for media creation
• Developing independent research skills in a second year project in conservation science, education and/or media.
The course can be carried out on a full time basis, which is two years at our Newquay campus adjacent to Newquay Zoo, or on a part time basis over 3 or 4 years, where you will be infilled with full time students. During the course you will have the opportunity to visit various science communication centres and also to gain first-hand experience of teaching in the classroom.
Overseas field work:
The college also organises trips further afield, at your own cost. These trips are a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills and practise your skills learnt at the college. They could also be considered highly valuable if you are looking to pursue a career in ecotourism, as a wildlife tour guide. Past trips have visited the forests of Borneo, the reefs of Egypt, nature reserves in Portugal and the beautiful island of Mull in the Inner Hebrides. More recently, we have run fantastic trips to the Kruger National Park in South Africa and to the cloud forests and coral reefs of Honduras. Both of these trips offer great opportunities for a wildlife educator or a wildlife media creator to practice what you have learned in the class room.
This course is also available with Science Gateway, perfect for you if you would like to study any of the science-based Foundation Degrees (FdSc) we offer, but don’t have the right qualifications or grades to do so.
What You Will Learn
Animals and their Environment
Key Professional Skills
Fundamentals of Biology
Wildlife Education
Evolutionary Theories
Fieldwork Techniques
Wildlife and the Media
Indicative Modules Year 2
Core:
Education and Interpretation in Public Spaces
Wildlife Education and Media in Practice
Communicating Science and Natural History
Individual Research Project
Vertebrate Zoology and Conservation
Optional:
Marine Vertebrate Biology and Conservation
Primate Behaviour and Conservation
Behavioural Ecology
Global Conservation Issues
Entry Requirements
Progression
The Wildlife Education & Media course is an ideal platform to pursue these potential careers:
• Wildlife education officer in zoos, wildlife parks, aquariums and nature reserves
• Education officer in museums, particularly in natural history sections
• Wildlife tour guides leading holiday expeditions for ecotourism companies
• Teaching/instructing for outdoor education providers
• Ranger for outdoor organisations
• Education officer for wildlife charities
• Media relations officer
• Science journalism
• Wildlife campaigns manager
• Scientist
• Teaching science, particularly biology, in primary and secondary schools (would require a PGCE)
These are just a taster of the jobs you could progress onto. Our Careers Service is available to give information, advice and guidance on all aspects of education, training and career progression.
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How to Apply
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Courses listed on this website are indicative of the subject, nature and level of study. The College reserves the right to alter specific qualifications titles, awarding bodies and levels of qualification, which can change in year. Any cost may also vary, based on personal funding eligibility. The Cornwall College Group reserves the right to withdraw any course listed at any time.
