Degree schemes in the

Biosciences

Contents

Enquiries

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The University – key facts

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Swansea and surrounding areas

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Biosciences at Swansea

For application enquiries or further information about Biosciences at Swansea, please contact the Biosciences Admissions Tutor at: [email protected], Tel: +44 (0)1792 295481

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Teaching methods, assessment and syllabuses

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BSc Biology

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BSc Marine Biology

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BSc Zoology

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Research in the Department of Pure and Applied Ecology

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Beyond graduation

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Application procedure and further information

The information in this booklet is correct at the time of printing but is liable to change. This booklet does not form part of any contract. Main picture of Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi). This is a plant typical of the wetland areas and one of many plants you will be taught about at Swansea.

Degree schemes Biosciences at Swansea in the Biological Sciences

For general information about applying to the University, contact the Admissions Office at: 01792 295111, [email protected] Visit the websites for Biosciences at: www.swansea.ac.uk/biosci

Swansea University – key facts Swansea University is a world-class, research-driven university with a long history of commitment to teaching and learning. Our campus-based university nestles beside Singleton Park and the wide, sandy sweep of Swansea Bay. The University hosts over 12,000 students and is situated only 1.5 miles west of the city centre, with regular bus connections to the campus. Swansea University won the inaugural Times Higher Education Award for the UK’s Best Student Experience. “A hot contender for any ‘best campus’ award going, Swansea is virtually unparalleled for its location. It sits in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay, on the edge of the stunning Gower Peninsula.” (The Guardian University Guide 2008) Many of the University’s halls of residence are situated on campus only a few minutes’ away from teaching facilities and the main library. Two new halls of residence, with an additional 325 en-suite rooms, opened in 2008. Hendrefoelan Student Village provides over 1,600 self-catering rooms, supporting a thriving student community with excellent facilities and bus links. All rooms on campus and at Hendrefoelan have wireless internet and phones. The University has excellent sports facilities a short walk from the main campus, including a 50m pool, running track, tennis courts, sports hall and fitness room. We provide more open-access, networked computers (over 1,800) than any other university in Wales and most universities of comparable size in the UK. The University has an active and highly supportive Students’ Union with its own shops, bars and services situated at the heart of campus. The Library and Information Services Building is situated on campus and holds over 800,000 paper-based books and journals, and in excess of 20,000 electronic resources. It offers 24 hour opening at key times of the year. The University offers ‘Excellence Bursaries’ to academically outstanding students.

“Swansea University offers a fantastic social network, and with the University’s range of clubs, societies and bars, you soon feel at home, whatever your niche.” Alun Newsome Third year undergraduate

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Swansea and surrounding areas Swansea is a vibrant, forward-looking, coastal city with a population of around 300,000. It has easy access to the M4 motorway and is connected to other cities in the UK by hourly high-speed trains. Cardiff International Airport is just a 45-minute drive away. The city boasts a wide range of leisure, cultural and shopping facilities in the modern city centre, including the new Liberty Stadium, Waterfront Museum and Leisure Centre, cinemas, art galleries, theatres, parks, farmers’ markets, pubs and clubs. Around the bay from the city centre is the charming tourist resort of Mumbles, with cafés, restaurants and bars. The thriving marina area of Swansea and the adjoining SA1 Waterfront Development is currently undergoing rapid expansion as part of a multi-million pound regional investment. Just west of Swansea is the Gower Peninsula, Britain’s first ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ with superb sandy and rocky beaches offering a wide range of water sports activities. Gower is one of the UK’s top surfing venues. The Brecon Beacons National Park, with the distinctive red 886m summit of Pen y Fan, is approximately 40 minutes away from Swansea. With a wide range of aquatic and terrestrial habitats the Gower Peninsula and the Brecon Beacons provide an excellent field laboratory for Biological Science students.

Degree schemes Biosciences at Swansea in the Biological Sciences

copyright Ian Tew

“If you could create the ideal location for a university, how about this – you walk across the road and you’re on a beach, you walk out of the campus in the other direction and you’re in a beautiful park, and the campus is on the edge of an exciting and booming city.” Adeline Brobbey Second year undergraduate

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Biosciences at Swansea All of the degree schemes listed opposite are taught within the Department of Pure and Applied Ecology. Teaching in our department is supported by over 30 academic and research staff and we teach more than 400 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Teaching is undertaken in adjoining modern buildings to the west side of the campus, surrounded by botanical gardens. We have excellent teaching facilities, comprising teaching, research and IT laboratories, constant temperature rooms and other growth rooms, aquaria, greenhouses, the Zoological Museum, and the research vessel, R.V. Noctiluca.

Degree schemes Biosciences at Swansea in the Biological Sciences

Our main BSc degree schemes are:

Biology (UCAS Code C104) Marine Biology (UCAS Code C160) Zoology (UCAS Code C300) Applicants who are unsure which degree scheme to choose can apply using the Biological Sciences Deferred Specialisation Route (UCAS Code C100). Students who apply via this route can defer choosing their degree scheme until the end of the first year at University. The previous Institutional review undertaken by the Quality Assurance Agency in 2008 concluded that confidence can be placed in the soundness of the institution’s current and likely future management of the quality of its academic programmes and the academic standards of its awards.

copyright Ian Tew

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Teaching methods, assessment and syllabuses Teaching is mainly by lectures, seminars, and laboratory or fieldbased practicals. Some modules are wholly fieldbased.

“Swansea is such a friendly university and the staff in the Pure and Applied Ecology

Each of our students in the Department has a Pastoral/ Academic Tutor assigned in the first couple of weeks after arrival in university. This tutor will hold regular formal and informal meetings with their tutees, especially in the first year. This person will normally be your tutor for all three years at university.

department are very welcoming. You soon

Biosciences is practical-based, therefore we have much contact and interaction between teaching staff and their students. This helps to ensure that all of our students quickly become integrated into the department and feel at home.

“There is an array of expertise in varying

Our teaching is designed to provide increasing specialisation over the three years. In the first year (Level 1) we develop the basic principles of Biosciences that will underpin your later studies. By the final year (Level 3) you will participate in cuttingedge, research-driven modules

Degree schemes Biosciences at Swansea in the Biological Sciences

within the specialisation of your chosen degree scheme.

get to know everyone, and become part of a team doing important and rewarding research. With the Gower right next door there are plenty of opportunities for amazing fieldwork and for good days out at the weekend!” Maddie Downes Zoology undergraduate

subject areas and also some fantastic personalities within the teaching staff, which makes it easy when you need help and support with work, finding an interesting project topic or simply having an interesting conversation.” Lucy Hirschle Marine Biology undergraduate Note: for full details of all our current modules, please consult the separate booklet entitled Module Catalogue and Syllabus in Biosciences. The booklet is available on request to [email protected]

Biology (UCAS Code C104) This scheme is designed to provide a broadspectrum understanding of the themes that run through modern biology. This is ideal for those students who wish to have a comprehensive and integrated degree scheme.

It is possible to take this degree in combination with other subjects including Geography (UCAS Code CL17) and Psychology (UCAS Code CC18).

Our Biology degree scheme offers an excellent range of laboratory and fieldbased topics with a strong emphasis on the development of key practical skills.

University. The Biology degree I am studying is

Most modules in Biology have two or three practical and/or field excursion classes.

University campus has a great atmosphere and is

All students have the opportunity to attend week-long field courses either at the end of Year Two or at the start of Year Three. Our close proximity to a diverse range of contrasting environments plus our own facilities provides a wide scope for customising your learning experience. All Biology students carry out a ten week research project module in Year Three. This can be either laboratory or fieldbased depending on the interests of the student. Some students carry out their projects abroad. The course has a strong emphasis on the development of personal and transferable skills to assist in later employability.

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“I have really enjoyed my studies at Swansea broad and includes a number of modules that I find very interesting. I have been taught by lecturers who are specialists in their fields. The full of facilities for students.” Mark Martin Biology undergraduate

“Studying in Swansea has been a great experience. The university is in a fantastic location with a combination of vibrant city life and relaxed beach life with Swansea Bay on the doorstep of campus and the stunning coastline of the Gower only a short drive away. This makes it possible to establish a good work/life balance, enjoying what Swansea has to offer as well as studying hard. I have enjoyed studying Biology here, in particular making the most of field work opportunities that are available.” Sarah Campion Biology undergraduate

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Marine Biology (UCAS Code C160) Swansea was one of the first universities in the world to offer a single honours undergraduate degree in Marine Biology. With our unique coastal location, we have easy access to a wide range of study habitats including exposed rocky shores, steep cliffs enclosing sandy sheltered bays, salt marshes and estuarine mudflats. The course is highly practical and fieldwork based. Our inshore research vessel, the R.V. Noctiluca, is widely used for teaching and offers a platform for project work at sea. All second year Marine Biology students receive training at sea. All Marine Biology students attend a residential field course at the end of Year Two. Currently, this is based at Millport Marine Station, Isle of Cumbrae. All final year students carry out an individual ten week research dissertation module based either in Swansea or on an overseas placement. In the last few years these have included locations such as Bermuda, Mexico, Indonesia, the USA and Australia. The course has an emphasis on the development of personal and transferable skills to assist in employability.

Degree schemes Biosciences at Swansea in the Biological Sciences

Marine Biology is also available as a joint honours degree programme with Genetics (UCAS Code CC41) “When I first chose to study marine biology at Swansea University it was because of the strong practical elements in the course as well as the amazing natural beauty of the Gower coastline. These have been great and do not disappoint, from picnics on the Noctiluca to hunting molluscs in estuarine mud. But overall, it is the atmosphere of the course that has been the most exciting, working with the other students and lecturers in the field and laboratory has given me my most rewarding experiences. The staff are supportive and passionate about their work, and that passion gets passed on to the students.” Edward Hamilton Marine Biology undergraduate

“The marine biology course has given me some great opportunities to get hands on experience both in the lab and out in the field. With the Gower coast so easily accessible, field trips are a highlight that reinforce the knowledge gained in lectures and provide a possibility to practice our ID skills on the local flora and fauna. We take many trips out on the university boat, to collect data or practice research techniques that will enable us to be better prepared for jobs in the field of marine biology.“ Lucy Hirschle Marine Biology undergraduate

Zoology (UCAS Code C300) Our Zoology degree scheme offers a wide range of laboratory and field-based topics with a strong emphasis on the development of key practical skills. The course provides a detailed and unique understanding of major zoological themes including physiology, ecology, behaviour and conservation. Most modules in Zoology include two or three practical and/or field excursion classes. All students have the opportunity to attend week-long field courses either at the end of Year Two or at the start of Year Three. Students benefit from our close ties with industry, especially in the area of biocontrol of pests of medical and economic importance. All Zoologists carry out a 24 week research project module in Year Three. This can be either laboratory or fieldbased depending on the interests of the student. Some students carry out their projects abroad.

“To be taught by such a range of knowledgeable and enthusiastic academics at Swansea University is a privilege. Their individual fields of specialisation are extremely varied and provide a vast spectrum of options in terms of what can be studied as part of your degree. Listening to lectures given by world-class members of staff has made me eager to broaden my interests and spend time reading up on subjects that had never attracted me previously.” Lily Green Zoology undergraduate

“Going to University is about more than getting a job, it’s a chance to grow as a person through the acquisition of knowledge. I truly believe that the Zoology course has enabled me to do so. Working in close proximity to lecturers whose enthusiasm and passion is evident in both the lectures and the one to one support they give, the course is intellectually stimulating offering a diverse range of modules and a chance to interact with like minded people. It’s is also a lot of fun!” Beth Greenfield Zoology undergraduate

Zoology is also available as joint honours degree programmes with either Biochemistry or Genetics (UCAS Codes CC73 and CC43).

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Research in the Department of Pure and Applied Ecology Studying in a research-led university, such as Swansea, enables students to be taught by staff with in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of their subject. All of the staff who teach on our degrees are active researchers in the Department of Pure and Applied Ecology. Research income in the department between 2004 and 2009 amounted to more than £8 million. Recent research initiatives led by the Department have included: The WISE programme (Welsh Institutes for Sustainable Environments), making the impact of their products and processes more environmentally sustainable. Establishment of the Institute of Environmental Sustainability for interdisciplinary research in key topics of global ecology such as climate change and biodiversity. Development of an aquaculture programme in Swansea with the building of the Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Research. Many of our academics are actively involved in biodiversity conservation and work closely with many conservation organisations, local and national government to conserve habitats and species throughout Britain and abroad. During your extensive Level Three research project, you will have the opportunity to become involved with cutting-edge research. To give a flavour, we list below some current areas of research: Marine Turtles, Zooplankton, Jellyfish (Professor Graeme Hays) We work across the globe examining the free-living behaviour and ecology of marine species using a state-of-the art sampling and tracking equipment including satellite tags, GPS loggers and miniature dive computers that we attach to animals for periods of >1 year. For more details of current projects see: www.swansea.ac.uk/bs/turtle

Degree schemes Biosciences at Swansea in the Biological Sciences

Animal Smart Tag Research (Professor Rory Wilson) Swansea is involved in research into sensors in animal-attached archival tag systems, attachment (and release) mechanisms and software for the interpretation of large data sets collected from deployments on free-living animals, both terrestrial and aquatic. Current work examines the viability of dead-reckoning for reconstructing animal tracks, the use of overall dynamic body acceleration as a proxy for metabolic rate and interpretation of tri-axial accelerometry signals to derive behaviour. Animal Ecology and Conservation Ecology (Dr Dan Forman; Professor Paul Brain; Dr Geoff Proffitt; Dr Charles Hipkin) We use a range of traditional and innovative techniques to answer applied questions set largely within the British landscape. Research themes include carnivore foraging behaviour and diet, reptile monitoring techniques, wildlife disease epidemiology, and the effects of human disturbance on species’ distributions and behaviour. Typical model animals studied include Otters, Polecats, Water voles, Grass snakes, Dragonflies and Wading Birds. We have close working links with a large number of ecological and conservation organisations and actively engage in the promotion of the value of biodiversity and its protection. Behavioural and Evolutionary Ecology of Fish, Aquaculture and Fisheries (Dr Carlos Garcia de Leaniz; Dr John Lancaster; Dr Robin Shields; Dr Ian Horsfall) Research at Swansea on the topic of fish and fisheries includes the behavioural ecology and conservation genetics of Atlantic salmon, environmental impacts of exotic aquaculture (in particular wildlife interactions), the evolutionary and environmental consequences of domestication and fisheries exploitation, and improving fitness in sea-ranching and captive breeding programs. Sonar technology is also used to investigate the migrational ecology of selected fish species in the Bristol Channel. Some work in this arena is undertaken in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Research (CSAR) at Swansea.

Habitat Restoration, Artificial Wetland and Nature Reserve Design and Construction (Dr Geoff Proffitt; Dr Jane Claricoates) At Swansea we have an expert team working in the design, construction and operation of artificial wetlands. This team have been commissioned to design and execute a range of habitat restoration projects across the world and locally they were responsible for the design and construction of the new Millennium Wetland complex on the banks of the Burry Inlet. This site is of particular importance as it offers students first-hand experience in the field of nature reserve management and the restoration and development of wild sites, ensuring students acquire the integrated skills needed to fully engage in the field of conservation biology. Molecular Ecology and Evolution (Dr Patricia Lee; Dr Emily Roberts) DNA-based methods are important tools used to answer ecological and evolutionary questions. Examples of ecological applications are in differentiating between populations, in detecting sudden changes in population size, and in estimating the evolutionary ‘tree’ of species. DNA can also verify the sex or the species of an organism. Past research projects included sexing birds, extracting of DNA from hundred-year old museum skin specimens, and analysing the population genetic structure of various organisms, including birds, alien plants, and sea turtles. Environmental Impact of Marine Renewable Energy (Dr Ian Horsfall; Prof Kevin Flynn [for phytoplankton and primary productivity related projects]) There are a number of areas along the south Wales coast that have been proposed as sits of marine renewable energy generation. Since the technologies used to generate electricity in the marine environment are all new the environmental impacts of the developments are not fully understood. Some of the proposed developments are very large (such as the Severn Barrage) and consequently controversial. The decisions to go ahead with these projects and the mitigation measures needed need to be informed by science. Areas of research would include habitat mapping and impact on the benthos, fish interactions with devices, enhancing devices to act as artificial reefs and sites for mariculture and impacts on water quality and plankton productivity. Plankton Modelling (Professor Kevin Flynn) Swansea has an international reputation for the development and implementation of mathematical descriptors of plankton. These include phytoplankton, zooplankton, bacteria, mixotrophs and harmful algal blooms, operating in ecological scenarios and in applied settings (including algal biofuels). These models are used as drivers in experimental studies, to facilitate understanding, and also for predicting the impacts of climate change.

Pathobiology and Aquaculture (Professor Andrew Rowley; Dr Robin Shields; Professor Kevin Flynn; Dr Emily Roberts) Swansea has a well established track record in the fundamentals of invertebrate and vertebrate (fish) immunity, nutrition, microbiology and larval development. Home since 2005 to the state-of-theart Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Research (see www. aquaculturewales.com), the group has recently broadened its activities to address key sustainability issues within the world’s fastest growing food production sector. Key research areas include host defences, diseases and health management of crustaceans and fish; aquaculture nutrition, applied feed formulation and modelling; environmental control and waste remediation in aquaculture systems; and aquaculture policy development. Natural Products (Professor Tariq Butt; Dr Ed Dudley [School of Medicine]) Fungi have been an excellent source of lead compounds for development as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The Swansea group focus on isolating and elucidating the properties of secondary metabolites of fungal biological control agents. In addition, studies are being done to determine the fate of the metabolites in the environment with particular attention being focused on establishing if they enter the food chain and pose a risk to humans. Algal Biotechnology (Professor Kevin Flynn; Dr Robin Shields; Dr Bob Lovitt [School of Engineering]) Algal biofuels have been hailed as a potential green alternative to fossil fuels, while chemicals from algae have roles in pharmaceuticals and as nutritional supplements. Swansea is involved with various initiatives in this arena, from optimising the growth and lipid content, to harvesting and cracking cells, and mathematical modelling of the whole process. Work in this arena is undertaken in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Research (CSAR) and the School of Engineering at Swansea. Aquatic Predator-Prey Interactions (Professor Kevin J Flynn; Dr Robin Shields; Dr Emily Roberts) Studies of aquatic predator-prey systems at Swansea have natural ecological and applied aspects. The common driver is the impact of quality and quantity of prey on predator (zooplankton, shellfish, finfish) growth, although other environmental factors such as ocean acidification and water quality are also topics of study. Work in this arena is undertaken in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Research (CSAR) at Swansea.

Biocontrol (Professor Tariq Butt) A dynamic team at Swansea is involved in the development of natural agents (e.g. fungi, nematodes and botanicals) for the control of arthropod vectors of human and animal diseases. The group has identified agents that are effective against the adult and young stages of mosquitoes, ticks and midges. They are currently developing strategies for the effective deployment of these agents in the field to complement other strategies to reduce the vector disease burden. The work, which has a high applied research element to it, also involves developing strategies to optimise the efficacy of the biological control agents as green alternatives to chemical approaches.

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Beyond graduation Our graduates enter pure research (universities or research institutes), use their experience in applied research, while others enter a wide range of careers including the Environment Agency, British Heart Foundation and Health Protection Agency, wildlife trusts, county councils, CEFAS, and the biological and biochemical industries. They take up scientific, teaching, personnel and managerial positions, as well as employment in product development and marketing. More than two thirds of Swansea Biology graduates enter graduate-level employment or further study within six months of graduation, according to the latest DLHE survey. DLHE survey results

“I’ve spent four years as a student at Swansea University, three years as an undergraduate studying Marine Biology and a year as a postgraduate undertaking the MSc in Environmental Biology: Conservation and Resource Management. Whether studying or partying I can honestly say I had a fantastic time the whole way through! It was through my undergraduate study that I realised how amazingly diverse the marine ecosystem is, but also how vulnerable it can be and the level of exploitation it endures. This prompted me to undertake the MSc, which furthered my knowledge in many aspects of conservation and environmental issues around the world on sea and land. With my experience and expertise gained from studying at Swansea I have secured a job working with WWF Cymru in Cardiff as Marine Policy Officer where I am helping work towards a sustainable future for the Welsh marine environment.” David Parker Marine Biology graduate 2008, Environmental Biology postgraduate 2010

“I wouldn’t swap my years at Swansea for any other university, either for the academic or social experience! The course provided me with an excellent practical knowledge of Marine Biology and through completion of my dissertation project in Indonesia, provided excellent credentials when applying for postgraduate positions. Biological Sciences at Swansea has an excellent and widespread reputation, and I would recommend it to all those wanting to get the most out of their degree.” Dr Gail Ashton Marine Biology graduate 2003, Post-doctoral Fellow, Smithsonian Environmental Research Centre, California

“Swansea was an excellent place to do my zoology degree for several reasons; firstly the breadth of subjects you cover during the 3 years is huge! Secondly the location couldn’t be more perfect for fieldwork, and thirdly you get to have a lot of input into the subject of your 3rd year dissertation project. I decided to do a project on British Bat ecology, and after a bit of investigatory work found that I had a lot of bats at my home in East-Sussex. I was therefore able to design a project about the effects of lunar illumination and long and short-term weather on the foraging behavior of bats, which I carried out over the summer months at home. Having the freedom to design and coordinate my own project meant that I could really get into it, and focus of my own interests. Since leaving university I have done a masters degree in environmental management, and have just started a new job working as a helpline officer for the Bat Conservation Trust. My dissertation has helped me a huge amount by providing me with the knowledge required for this job, as well as the confidence to give people advice on any bat-related issues they may have. Studying zoology at Swansea University was a fantastic experience, and I would really recommend Swansea to anyone wishing to do a biological sciences degree.” Harriet Henley Zoology graduate 2007

Degree schemes Biosciences at Swansea in the Biological Sciences

Admissions procedure and further information Applications All potential applicants are encouraged to visit the Department and the University before making their final UCAS choices. The University holds Open Days during the summer and autumn. Details can be obtained from the Student Recruitment Office: [email protected], www.swansea.ac.uk/opendays Applicants who are made offers will be invited to a Departmental UCAS Visit Day. These are normally held on Wednesdays between December and March. The UCAS Visit Day provides an opportunity to meet with staff and current students and to look around the department and the main campus.

Entry requirements For current entry requirements see the main University prospectus available from the Student Recruitment Office, email [email protected] or download from www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/prospectus/

Information Our Departmental Admissions Team will be happy to answer personally any queries you may have, including enquiries about excellence bursaries. Please email [email protected] or telephone +44 (0)1792 295 481 Gellir lawrlwytho fersiwn Gymraeg o’r testun yn y llyfryn hwn yn www.swansea.ac.uk/biosci/UndergraduateStudy/

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