Ecology and Conservation Biology MBiolSci

The University of Sheffield

Our four-year MBiolSci Ecology and Conservation Biology course is designed to give you the best start in your pursuit of a career in industrial or academic research. You’ll explore how humans, animals and plants interact with each other and their environment, and how this determines their abundance, distribution and the biodiversity we see on the planet. You'll learn about human impacts on ecological interactions, the climate crisis, biodiversity and sustainability, as well as what we can do to manage natural resources in the face of changing environments. The first three years of your course will have the same structure as the BSc, with the fourth year devoted to a major research project in the field or in the lab, working alongside our world-leading academics.

Alongside your specialist ecology and conservation modules, from your first year you’ll have the flexibility to study topics across the breadth of biology to complement your knowledge. Topics range from plant science, biotechnology and zoology, to neuroscience, genetics and physiology. This flexibility allows you to study ecology and conservation in greater depth, keep your interests broad or even switch to another degree programme within the biosciences. No matter what modules you choose to study, you’ll develop practical laboratory and transferable skills that make our graduates attractive to employers including project management, problem solving, communication skills and data analysis.

We’ll give you plenty of opportunities to apply your new skills and knowledge too. You’ll be in the lab completing in-depth practicals, out in the Peak District conducting your own research projects, visiting zoos, aquariums and other scientific spots around the country and embarking on a once in a lifetime field course in the UK or abroad.

Whether you choose to focus solely on ecology and conservation biology, or study a range of topics across the biosciences, your personal tutor will support you to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals.

Whether you want to pursue a career in science, apply your skills in industry, or continue your studies, Sheffield biosciences graduates are highly sought after due to their specialist laboratory and field skills, ability to solve problems, handle and analyse data, and effectively communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences.

Our students secure roles with leading scientific organisations like GSK, AstraZeneca, Cancer Research, the Environment Agency, Wildlife Trusts, and the Natural History Museum. Transferable skills are embedded and developed throughout our degrees, which means year on year many of our graduates join top 100 employers like the BBC, Deloitte, the Civil Service, and the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme. You can also apply your degree to other varied careers including bioinformatics, marketing and science communication, teaching and science policy. Some students go on to further study.

If you want to gain work experience as a recognised part of your degree, we have an Ecology and Conservation Biology with Placement Year degree at both BSc and MBiolSci levels. You can test out a career path that you're considering between your second and third year - whether that's in the lab, the field, or applying your scientific knowledge and transferable skills in industry, and earn a salary while you're doing it.