This course is truly unique and gives you the opportunity to launch your ecological consultancy career with a suite of knowledge, skills and experience. This is a real, practical alternative to a Master's degree.
The course comprises a series of compulsory and optional field-skills courses combined with an element of career planning and goal-setting which is aimed at launching your ecological consultancy career. Tutorials covering several additional topics will be included and a one month volunteer work placement in an ecological consultancy is an optional extra. It is anticipated that the course will take 6-12 months to complete.
Part 1
The course starts with a 5-day course which includes 3 field courses, combined with group discussions and one-to-one tutorials about career planning, goal setting and your CV. The 3 field courses are:
- Phase 1 habitat surveys (1 day)
- Site Assessment and Report Writing (2 days)
- Survey Techniques for Protected Species (2 days)
Part 2
You will also attend three other short courses, chosen from:
- Bat ecology, conservation and survey techniques*
- Beginners Botany* >>
- Invasive species
- Reptiles – surveying and handling
- Dormouse ecology and conservation
* Two-day courses>> Compulsory if your botany knowledge is weak
Part 3
- Pre-course review – CV, experience, goals, plans, constraints etc – written feedback from your tutor.
- Personalised goals setting and career planning tutorial – online
- CV/experience check – at end of course
- Interview practice
- Email/telephone support for 1 year whilst on the course
- 1 month’s work experience (voluntary and optional)
- Marked assignments– site assessment report including desk study, phase 1 map and report, protected species (ID, survey, law), factsheet about a protected species, ID assessment.
- Discussion board where you can discuss issues with your fellow students and tutor
Part 4
Online tutorials that include information that you work though in your own time followed by a 1 hour webinar to discuss each topic:
- Wildlife Law and Designated Sites
- Plant ID
- Mammal ID
- Amphibian and reptile ID
- Bird ID
- Hedgerows – legislation
- Job hunting, CV and goal setting
Follow this link if you would like to find out more about the course: Course Outline.
If you have any questions about the course then please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions. However, if you have any further queries please contact the Acorn Ecology Team at info@acornecology.co.uk or 01392 682401.
If you would like to find out more about our easy payment options, please click here.
This course is now full for 2010.
Each year there will only be a limited number of places on this course as we want to give the best possible experience to those students that are attending. If you would like to receive information about this course next year (2011), please contact the Acorn Ecology team at info@acornecology.co.uk or 01392 682401.
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