Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Conservation Biology and Philosophy and Ethics (CB10)

Conservation biology is concerned with the protection and management of nature and the Earth’s biodiversity. It involves an evaluation of human and other factors that affect all living organisms with the aim of protecting and conserving species, their habitats and ecosystems. It is an interdisciplinary subject that draws on natural sciences to devise satisfactory processes and approaches by which to sustain and protect plant and animal biodiversity in the UK and abroad.

This course mainly focuses on conservation in terrestrial environments. It develops knowledge of key areas such as the principles and practices of ecology, habitat management, nature conservation and the functioning of natural systems, particularly with regard to different points of view including scientific, ethical and philosophical perspectives. Opportunities are provided to apply knowledge and understanding of conservation biology during field courses within the UK and abroad giving first-hand experience of a range of ecosystems.

Philosophy and Ethics explores the big questions of life and morality: on what basis do people judge things good or evil? It challenges students to examine their assumptions, opinions and worldview.

Through close attention to the primary texts of philosophers such as Plato, Aquinas, Descartes, Hume, Kant and Nietzsche, this Philosophy and Ethics degree will help students learn to analyze and evaluate arguments, and to compose and communicate their ideas in a reasoned way. They will have a grounding in the foundational questions of philosophy. As students progress, they will look in depth at philosophy of religion, political philosophy, applied ethics and issues of human personhood, artificial intelligence and animality.

The degree is taught by a core team of critical academics who are passionate about teaching and are internationally recognized researchers and writers. This degree will equip students with the intellectual skills and perspectives needed to face the ethical and ideological challenges of the contemporary world.