Environmental Biology (BSc)
Programme Overview
The BSc in Environmental Biology aims to provide a detailed understanding of the concepts, strategies and practices available to scientifically investigate and analyse species, communities and ecosystems towards the successful monitoring, management and development of strategies for sustainable use of these systems. Students pursuing this programme are required to take a minimum of sixty-three (63) advanced credits.
Programme Objectives
The BSc programme in Environmental Biology aims to:
- Expose students to recent developments in both theoretical and practical aspects of the environment.
- Train students in the use of scientific thinking and methodology as an effective approach to interacting with, understanding and affecting the biosphere.
- Develop the ability to conduct selected laboratory and field research techniques in plant and animal ecology.
- Develop the ability to produce coherent scientific reports based on data analysis.
Admission Requirements
In order to read for the BSc Environmental Biology, candidates must satisfy the requirements for entrance to the Faculty of Science and Technology.
Either:
- Satisfy the University requirements for Normal Matriculation.
- Have obtained passes in two subjects at CAPE (both comprising passes in Units 1 & 2) or at GCE A-Level (or equivalent). One of the CAPE or equivalent passes must be an approved science subject preferably Biology.
Or:
- Satisfy the University requirements for Lower Level Matriculation.
- Have obtained passes at CSEC Secondary Education General Proficiency Level with grades I, II, or since 1998 grade III (or equivalent) in Mathematics and two approved science subjects (one of which should be Biology or equivalent).
Programme Structure
Year 1: A minimum of twenty-four (24) credits from Level 1, eighteen (18) of which must be Faculty courses and include the Biology courses:
Semester I
BIOL1017: Cell Biology
BIOL1018: Molecular Biology & Genetics
Semester II
BIOL1262: Living Organisms I
BIOL1263: Living Organisms II
Year 2: Thirty (30) credits as follows:
Semester I
BIOL2401: Research skills & Practices in Biology
BIOL2402: Fundamentals of Biometry
BIOL2406: Eukaryotic Microbiology
BIOL2407: Biological Evolution
BOTN2401: Plant Form & Systematics
Semester II
BIOL2403: Principles of Ecology
BIOL2404: Molecular & Population Genetics
BOTN2402: Physiology of Plants
ZOOL2403: Maintenance Systems in Animals
ZOOL2404: Coordination & Control in Animals
Year 3: Thirty-three (33) credits from the courses below, inclusive of BIOL3412: Internship OR BIOL3413: Biology Project.
Semester I
BIOL3407: Oceanography
BIOL3408: Coastal Ecosystems
BOTN3405: Plant Ecophysiology
BOTN3406: Tropical Forest Ecology
ZOOL3403: Entomology
ZOOL3409: Aquaculture
Semester II
BIOL3400: Issues in Conservation Biology
BIOL3406: Freshwater Biology
BIOL3409: Caribbean Coral Reefs
BIOL3410: Water Pollution Biology
ZOOL3408: Sustainable Use of Marine Fishable Resources
Summer
BIOL3412: Internship OR BIOL3413: Biology Project
Careers after Graduation
Career opportunities in Habitat Restoration and Rehabilitation, Conservation Biology, Ecotourism, Forest Ecology; Environmental Consultation; Environmental Impact Assessment; Environmental Management, Ecosystem Monitoring; Education and Research fields.