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Human Ecology is the study of the relationship and interactions between humans and their environment. It considers the ecological, evolutionary, historical and socio-political dimensions of different people's engagement with each other and their surrounding environment.
Overview
The aim of this subject is to better understand the diversity and complexity of such interactions and, by doing so, to make a positive contribution in our understanding and ability to address the cascading ecological and social crises of the 21st century and to our search for a more sustainable future.
This degree emphasises an interdisciplinary, holistic and cross-cultural approach to human environmental relationships, integrating social and natural studies on critical thinking about the place of humans on the planet, and the causes and consequences of the present-day ecological crises. Drawing on the unique range of expertise in conservation biology, landscape ecology, ecosystem services, social anthropology, and ethnobiology found in the School of Anthropology and Conservation, the degree programme provides comprehensive training in the methods, tools and applications of human ecology, including, but not limited to, qualitative and quantitative ecological and ethnographic data collection and analysis, field trips (in the UK and abroad e.g. tropics, Mediterranean), spatial analysis, and application of research to practical problem solving.
Think Kent video series
In this talk, Dr Robert Fish of the University of Kent, explains how the field of human ecology seeks to promote understanding of nature and the life-giving, life-saving and life-affirming role it plays in people’s lives.
Independent rankings
In the National Student Survey 2015, Kent gained the 5th highest score in the UK for student satisfaction. Kent is ranked in the top 20 of UK universities in The Guardian University Guide 2016.
Course structure
The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.
Teaching and assessment
In addition to lectures and seminars, we run laboratory and computer practicals and field trips.
Modules use a variety of approaches enabling students to gain theoretical and practical understanding, through formal lectures, seminars, workshops, computer practicals and tutorials, role playing, laboratory exercises and fieldwork (in the UK and abroad).
Most modules are assessed through a mixture of coursework – including not only essays and written reports but also more practical tasks such as presentations and mini-projects – as well as exams. Some modules are assessed only by coursework.
You also have an opportunity to conduct a field-based research thesis in your final year. This gives you practical experience of developing a research proposal and research questions, to finding appropriate methods, conducting research, analysing and interpreting results, writing up a full research project and giving an oral presentation; it also provides the opportunity to use a range of research methods in a variety of contexts to explore key environmental, geographical, anthropological issues and participate in the advancement of knowledge. We offer you the opportunity to conduct your research project either in the UK or abroad.
Programme aims
Our aims are:
- To produce a broad, sophisticated and interdisciplinary approach to the study of human-environment relationships as socio-ecological, complex, and dynamic systems
- To equip students with strong, state-of-the-art technical skills for quantitative, qualitative and spatial data collection and analysis of human-environment interactions
- To provide students with a sound foundation in the scientific and humanistic approaches to the study of human-environment relationships, allowing them to consider the interaction between biophysical, ecological, historical and socio-cultural processes and dynamics
- To sensitise students to the importance of pattern, process, scale, time and space in the study of complex systems and how these affect our understanding of biological, social and cultural diversity, as well as of human adaptation to the environment and to environmental change
- To facilitate the educational experience of students through innovative opportunities for learning during fieldwork and hands-on approaches to analytical tools
- To provide students with the opportunity to gain direct, practical experience relating to research and to the applied dimensions and social impact of their degree, with options for work, study and field trips abroad
- To ensure that the learning experience provides transferable skills necessary for professional development, analytical problem-based solving, interpersonal development, autonomous practice and team-working, in a manner which is efficient, reliable and enjoyable to students
- To equip interdisciplinary graduates with the ability to think critically and creatively and with the necessary practical and research skills to prepare them for high-level postgraduate studies or for a competitive job market
- To prepare graduates for leading employment roles in the interdisciplinary fields of human ecology, nature conservation, environmental protection and sustainable development, in the commercial, private or public sectors
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- Fundamental concepts of Human Ecology and how they relate to patterns and processes
- Biological and evolutionary perspectives on human adaptation to the environment
- Human diversity in conceptions of human-environment interactions
- Principles of biocultural diversity, its threats and conservation
- The cognitive and social aspects of traditional environmental knowledge systems and their potential in tackling social and environmental crises
- Social and cultural adaptation to the environment and to environmental change
- Socio-cultural, political and institutional aspects of landscapes and ecosystems, landscape history, social memory, representation and identity
- The role of social, political, economic and cultural factors in shaping landscapes and ecosystems, both ‘natural’ and anthropogenic
- Environmental and land-use change processes and patterns and their relation to the co-evolution of social and ecological system and complexity
- The different concepts and analytical frameworks of space and time
- Principles of biodiversity conservation and habitat management
- Valuation, ecosystem services and their relation to governance and political-economy
Intellectual skills
You develop intellectual abilities in the following:
- General learning and study skills
- Critical and analytical skills
- Ability to express ideas in writing and orally
- Design, implementation, analysis and write-up of a research project
- Ability to effectively research, organize and interpret scholarly materials
- Ability to formulate and test theories
- Ability to make a structured and logical argument
- Ability to use mixed methods for problem solving
Subject-specific skills
You gain the following subject-specific skills:
- Field biology skills (surveys, sampling, etc.)
- Research skills in natural/biological scientific research
- Research skills in qualitative and quantitative analyses of social and ethnographic data
- Mapping and spatial analysis skills (Geographic Information Systems)
- Skills in laboratory work (ecological, biological anthropology
- Documentation of local knowledge systems
- Skills in research design, statistics
- Skills in interactive media research tools, including online research and visual approaches
- Skills for appraising environmental, landscape and land-use changes
- Skills to evaluate sustainability of resource use
- Skills for advising decision makers on land-use changes and management of social-ecological systems
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in the following:
- Digital/IT/online
- Presentation
- Report and proposal writing
- Time management
- Library skills
- Independent research
- Group work
Careers
The goal of the programme is to offer a degree that provides highly marketable skills and a deep understating of current issues in human – nature interactions.
Using our network of NGOs and consultancy companies we identified the top required skills that successful employees should have. This propgramme has been designed to equip students with the necessary theoretical and practical skills which are highly demanded by employers in a wide range of fields relating to:
- environmental management
- conservation
- international and community development
- science
- research
This programme also provides a solid foundation for postgraduate studies in a number of disciplines within the humanities and natural sciences.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | ABB including one of Biology, Geography, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Psychology, or Geology |
| GCSE | Mathematics grade C or above |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | IB Diploma 34 points overall or 16 points at Higher including 5 at HL or 6 at SL in Biology, Geography, Environmental Science, Psychology, Geology or Chemistry |
International students
The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.
Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2016/17 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | ||
| Part-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
The University of Kent is currently considering whether to increase its regulated full-time tuition fees for all returning Home and EU undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250 in September 2017. This would be subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses might also rise by 2.8%.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Details of our proposed funding opportunities for 2016 entry can be found on our funding page.
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. For 2016 entry, the scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our scholarships pages. Please review the eligibility criteria on that page.