Ecology and Conservation
(Penryn Campus)
Biology is the study of life, from the microscopic bacteria on our skin to the enormous blue whales inhabiting the oceans. As biologists we ask questions about living organisms and how they interact with their environment. In this strand, we will think about the weird and wonderful life that exists on our planet and learn more about how we can better understand this amazing diversity. In particular, we will study the evolutionary processes that produced the variety of life that we see on Earth and consider how we can best conserve it.
| Day | Date | Time | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wednesday | 24th January 2024 | 11:00 - 15:00 | Penryn campus, Cornwall |
| 2 | Wednesday | 21st February 2024 | 11:00 - 15:00 | Penryn campus, Cornwall |
| 3 | Wednesday | 6th March 2024 | 11:00 - 15:00 | Penryn campus, Cornwall |
| 4 | Wednesday | 20th March 2024 | 11:00 - 15:00 | Penryn campus, Cornwall |
| 5 | Wednesday | 8th May | 11:00 - 15:00 | Penryn campus, Cornwall |
| 6 | Wednesday | 5th June | 11:00 - 15:00 | Penryn campus, Cornwall |
Activity locations
All subject activity sessions will take place on the University of Exeter Penryn campus, Cornwall.
- Session one – Introduction to Exeter Scholars , microorganisms lab practical (‘Going on a Bear Hunt’)
- Session two –‘What is University’ session and marine biology lab practical (‘Microplastics in the environment’)
- Session three –‘How to read scientific papers’ and ecology field trip to Swanpool beach
- Session four –‘Evolution & phylogenetic trees’ lab practical using skulls and specimens, DNA electrophoresis lab practical (‘Robbery on the Falmouth Express’)
- Session five –Principles of experimental design and individual research project planning
- Session six –Research project data collection, research project presentations
This subject activity strand has contributions from the following degree programmes:
- BSc Animal Behaviour
- BSc Conservation Ecology and Biodiversity
- BSc Evolutionary Biology
- BSc Human Sciences
- BSc Marine Biology
- BSc Zoology
In order to be considered for this subject activity strand, students should be studying at least one science* subject in their further education, and have received a grad 5 (B) in a science subject at GCSE.
*Accepted science subjects: Biology / Human Biology; Chemistry; Economics; Environmental Studies; Geography; Life and Health Sciences (Double Award only); Marine Science; Physics; Psychology; Maths / Pure Maths / Further Maths; Nutrition and Food Science.
In order to be considered for this subject activity strand, students must also have a minimum of grade 5 (B) in GCSE Maths and grade 4 (C) in GCSE English Language.
In order to pass the programme, you must attend a minimum of 5 out of 6 subject activity sessions, as well as the Exeter Scholars Student Conference.
