Fundamentals of Conservation Biology

11.8.2025 - 30.12.2025

5 cr

Registration open

Face-to-faceOnline

Advanced studies

The course offers a thorough introduction to the field of conservation science.It(Opens in a new tab) covers both the scientific foundations for conservation as well as practical approaches and challenges. Topics span from an overview on biodiversity threats, through major ecological theories that have influenced conservation approaches, to human dimensions or the importance of social sciences in conservation.

Contains

Check the institution’s website for the required studies.

No active implementations at present.

Additional information and registration

Price and registration period

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Go to the institution's website(Opens in a new tab)

Additional information:

Fields

Natural sciences

Scope

5 cr

Code

EEB-301

Completion Methods

This is primarily an online course that can advance mostly in a self-paced manner. Nonetheless, the course has a few assignments with deadlines and some group work, as well as three joint discussion sessions spaced throughout the course. Course completion requires watching all video-lectures, completing all self-assessment tasks and grading assignments, as well as attending three discussion sessions. The course requires ca. 135hrs of independent work.

Assessment practices and criteria

Each video-lecture is followed by self-assessment assignments that do not count towards course grade. The course grade is derived from a weighted average of 5 larger assignments, each graded from 0 to 5. Some of the assignments are conducted in pairs or small groups. Evaluation matrices are provided for the essay assignments.

Activities and methods in support of learning

The course includes a large number of activities, from activating questions, through quizzes, forum discussions, small quantitative exercises, reflective essays and creative tasks like producing a video in a small group.

Target groups

Primarily for students in Master's Programme in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Open to students from other programmes and universities.

Teaching period when the course will be offered

Period 2.

Study module

The course is optional in Evolutionary Biology, Advanced Studies.

Expiry of studiesThe course expires in 10 years. The completion method for the course, if completed over 10 years ago, is agreed with the course responsible teacher.Language of instruction

English

EQF level

Second-cycle degree, EQF level 7

Additional information

The course is part of Biodiversity Education Network(Opens in a new tab).

Organiser

Helsingin yliopisto

Contact details

avoin-student@helsinki.fi