NBIK12003U Conservation Biology

Volume 2026/2027
Education

MSc Programme in Biology
MSc Programme in Environmental Science
MSc Programme in Forest and Nature Management
MSc Programme in Nature Management
 

Content

Human-driven changes such as climate warming and habitat transformation have led to a large share of theplanet’s biodiversity declining at an alarming pace in recent decade, making conservation an essential topic. This
course will allow you to gain the scientific foundation and skills needed for conservation work. It will provide an introduction to conservation issues, concentrating on their fundamental biological basis, and the role of scientific research in conservation management.

Teaching will cover essential topics, from managing natural habitats to restoring degraded landscape, rewilding strategies, understanding the impact of non-native species, how to use citizen science and animal behaviour for conservation, animal monitoring techniques, captive breeding and animal reintroduction and translocation, biodiversity, demography and extinction, conservation genetics, and the legal frameworks that guide environmental action. Through real-world case examples, you will build the knowledge and skills to protect species, restore ecosystems, and drive meaningful changes for the planet.

Learning Outcome

 This course has a triple objective.

First, to offer a broad conceptually orientated overview of current key issues in conservation biology and to train students in the application of these concepts to practical conservation.
Second, to give students the essential background to be successful in MSc-level jobs in management, administration, and the dissemination of knowledge on Biodiversity and Conservation.
Third, to give those students that continue with MSc and PhD degrees the necessary entry-level for advanced courses on more specific issues.

Knowledge:
By completing the course the student can:

Explain the intrinsic value of conservation of species, groups of species and high-biodiversity areas and of the economic realities constraining practical conservation.

Integrate basic knowledge from population ecology, behavioural biology, population genetics, evolutionary biology and macroecology in questions of practical conservation.

Provide a general overview of the population biology of invasive species, of the traits that these species have in common, and of the typical ways in which they threaten native biodiversity.

Relate the key variables for optimal harvesting of economically important populations of wild animals and plants.

Skills:
By completing the course the student can:

Make qualified contributions to the “priority-driven” conservation management of single species and species assemblages (guilds & communities), taking into account issues of habitat fragmentation, genetic erosion, reproductive value of cohorts and individuals, controlled breeding, reintroduction, and climate change.

Critically assess information from monitoring schemes and similar biodiversity databases for the purpose of conservation of species, groups of species or entire species assemblages of areas.

Explain the rationale behind national, European and global conservation initiatives and the impact that they have, and of the difficulties that they face.

Distinguish between scientific results reported in the primary literature and in general textbooks and reports.

Competences:
By completing the course the student can:
Critically assess the appropriateness of statistical methods and interpretations in the scientific literature.

Explain and evaluate the relative value of experiments, theoretical concepts and the comparative analysis of literature data.

Provide and outline an overview of the field of Conservation and formulate a qualified opinion on the discipline to non-biologists.

Independently retrieve and select information from the scientific literature and other relevant sources.

Present a coherent essay on a topic within the field of conservation biology.

 See Absalon.

It is recommended that the student has taken courses covering Biodiversity, Population Biology and Mathematical Biology, or equivalent.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
The course takes place over 7 weeks. Each week focuses on a specific theme in conservation and involves a group of specialized teachers. It typically involves 4 to 5
hours of lectures and 4 to 5 hours theoretical or practical exercises, ending with one week of presentations from experts working in conservation and one week of student presentations.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 28
  • Preparation
  • 147,5
  • Theory exercises
  • 15
  • Practical exercises
  • 15
  • Exam
  • 0,5
  • Total
  • 206,0
Oral
Individual
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)

Supervised choice of seminar papers and questions. Feedback from teacher and peers (class) on oral seminar presentation and collective feedback from teachers.  

Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral exam on basis of previous submission, 20 minutes without preparation time
Type of assessment details
The oral examination will consist of a defense of the written assignment (10 minutes) and a discussion of the curriculum including one of the background papers (randomly allocated) (10 minutes). The final grade is given based on an overall assessment of the written assignment, the defense of the written assignment and the curriculum including the background papers.
Aid
Only certain aids allowed (see description below)

Written assignment: all aids allowed 

Oral exam: 
Aids: Written aids

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Two internal examiners
Re-exam

The same as the ordinary exam. 

The student must hand in the written assignment 2 weeks before the reexam to be able to go the the oral reexam.

 

 

Criteria for exam assesment

In order to obtain the grade 12 the student should convincingly and accurately demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competences described under Learning Outcome.