Georgina Smith

Georgina Smith on fieldwork

I came to study a BSc (Hons) in Ecology and Wildlife Conservation at Bournemouth University (BU) after completing a National Diploma in Public Services (yes, quite the change of direction!).

BU was a brilliant introduction into the world of conservation. It provided me with a solid understanding of ecology and introduced me to many methods for measuring and investigating the biodiversity of various diverse environments. I found the course very exciting and extremely educational; it has shaped the way I think today and is fundamental to my curriculum vitae.

My degree taught me so much about ecology in the UK and in Dorset, an area that has so many beautiful environments and a wide range of species wherever you look. The fieldwork cannot be equaled and is backed up by a variety of seminars and lectures, which are taught by an assortment of quirky and wonderful leading specialists. The lecturer' enthusiasm for their subjects is often infectious. One area of the course that I particularly enjoyed was my final year project which was in collaboration with the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. This gave me the freedom to spend days hiking across a variety of heathlands all over the county of Dorset, determining the effect fragmentation, site type and management has on number and diversity of bumble bees (Bombus Spp).

Having expanded my knowledge and ability, I now look forward to a career in conservation ecology, a vocation that could not be achieved without the knowledge and understanding I have gained from the conservation science lecturers at BU. I can sincerely say that I have enjoyed my experience at BU and it’s sad to think I will not be in attendance next year.