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School of Biosciences

Field courses

Wales is your playground

Our range of field courses provide hands-on experience of modern biological techniques and practical in-field research skills.

Direct experience of animals, plants and microorganisms in their natural habitats is an important part of modern biology. We run a wide range of courses that enable you to experience practical in-field research techniques, including bird-ringing, small mammal trapping, pit fall trapping, microbial analysis and surveying for bats.

Students on our second-year Ecology and Conservation module can also choose from several specialised, project-based courses that run in a variety of locations throughout the world.

Tropical marine ecology

Tropical marine ecology

Based in a small fishing village on the tropical island of Tobago, you will be introduced to the ecology of coral reefs and survey methods.

Rainforest biodiversity assessment

Rainforest biodiversity assessment

Based at the Danau Girang Field Centre in Sabah, Malaysia you will visit areas with both large and small wild animals.

Marine conservation

Marine conservation

The course is entirely field-based in Sabah, Malaysia, and will involve extensive periods of snorkelling/diving and time spent in and on the water.

Coastal biology

Coastal biology

Taking place in the stunning surroundings of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, this field course introduces marine organisms and their ecology across a range of coastal habitats.

Urban ecology

Urban ecology

This field course is Cardiff-based, and provides a broad introduction to organisms and ecology in urban habitats.

The Tropical Biodiversity Assessment Field Course in Sabah was the optional module I was most excited to study.For my project, I used GPS tracking to plot primate nesting sites at dawn and dusk. We got to see beautiful primates during the sensational sunrise and sunset each day.You get the opportunity to act as an independent researcher, and this really allows you to discover your true passion in field research. It’s a hugely enjoyable adventure and a unique experience.

Gareth Davies BSc Biological Sciences

The availability of our field courses is dependent on factors such as choice of degree programme, student demand and advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Residential field courses that take place outside of Cardiff incur additional costs, however, these are partially offset by contributions the School makes to the courses’ running costs