NES2305 : Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Dr Gavin Stewart
- Lecturer: Dr Isabel Smallegange, Dr Jordan Cuff, Dr James Guest
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
- Capacity limit: 110 student places
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The module aims to build on foundational knowledge of ecology and biodiversity to understand how ecological processes operate across individuals, populations and communities and how they relate to conservation challenges in a range of habitats. The module aims to develop students’ appreciation of biodiversity science, ecological theory and conservation biology as evidence-based scientific disciplines; to provide the background for further study of biodiversity, ecology and conservation at Stage 3. Understanding how ecosystem services are underpinned by conservation and management actions is a key component of the course. Lectures signpost material and introduce key concepts. Workshops and field trips provide deeper understanding and opportunity to develop and enhance core competencies linked to assessment.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module has three thematic components. The first two elements are core ecological principles and conservation biology studied by the full cohort. The third component focuses on marine conservation (studied by marine science students only).
1. Principles of ecology
• concepts of biodiversity
• life history theory
• ecological-evolutionary dynamics
• trophic interactions
• foraging ecology
• disturbance ecology
2. Conservation biology
• environmental monitoring
• why conservation matters
• ecosystem services
• evidence based conservation
3. Marine conservation
• marine environmental monitoring
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 50:00 | 50:00 | Completion of group report |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Lectures in-person with supplementary material available online |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Completion of digital exam on Canvas |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 18 | 0:30 | 9:00 | Revision for exam |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 12:00 | 12:00 | Completion of formative quizzes. Other formative work takes place during field trip. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | In person workshop with supplementary material available online |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 2 | 6:00 | 12:00 | Two day field trips in person (could be different for the different cohorts) |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Field trip follow up |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 98:00 | 98:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will provide the framework and theory for understanding of ecological principles and their relationship to conservation. Directed reading and links to further information will encourage individual learning and will contribute to greater understanding of the topics within the module. This will be augmented by workshop and field trip activities. The assessments will provide team-working opportunities and student autonomy in their learning. The intention of the assessment is to help transition students from consumers of information, to researchers and communicators of knowledge. Integrative combination of lecture material and learning from a formative field trip inform the assessment.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 40 | Canvas MCQ exam |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2 | M | 60 | Group report of a monitoring programme (max. 2500 words) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 2 | M | Periodic quizzes to self test knowledge and understanding. |
| Prof skill assessmnt | 2 | M | Field trip with guided self questions and example answers - completed during field trip |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The exam will test student understanding of the key module themes. This ensures that the key foundational concepts, which are required throughout their degree, are present and secure. The rationale for the report is to introduce students early to autonomy in their learning, to demonstrate how to read within and beyond module content and how to communicate professionally with peers and academics.
The formative quizzes and the formative work during the field trip allow students to test their knowledge and understanding throughout the module.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES2305's Timetable