Animal Behaviour / Wildlife Management

Hello all,

I am new to this forum, and would like to ask some help.
I am searching for a distance learning course in Animal Behaviour, Wildlife Management, Zoology or related fields.
The course should lead to a foundation degree at least, but preferably a Bachelor´s degree.
I have emailed many Universities in the UK that offer these subjects through normal (attendance) learning, but most don´t even reply, and only a few replied that they do not offer this through distance learning.
I have searched with search engines, emailed universities, tried all that I can think of, but I just cannot seem to find any!
I do not live in the UK, so it has to be available as well for people living abroad.
I hope one of you is able to help me out, thank you in advance!

 

Oregon State University has a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife that can be completed through distance learning.

 

Also take a look at the University of South Africa, http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=11670, which is a distance learning university.

 

Possibly other options:

Livestock Health and Production - University of London - Royal Veterinary College - External System - Key points

Master of Science in Agricultural Operations Management Online

Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online Learning - Master of Agriculture

Master of Agriculture @ a Distance

 

Neither does most everyone else here.
Based on the wording of your post, it may be important to determine, are you looking for a UK only degree?

 

Thank you all for the quick replies, I will look more into detail in the courses later when I have more time. I quickly scanned through the sites, and already saw that in the Uni of South Africa it requires one full year of lab practice in a local university.
I didn´t realise this was basically an american site :-S sorry guys. I have been focussing on universities in the UK since I am based in Europe. But of course I am not limited to European Universities at all! As long as the degrees are valued the same over here, so internationally recognised.
I live on a small Spanish island, with no facilities to study, which makes it kinda hard for science subjects, I know.
I wouldn´t mind travelling somewhere to study for a short period (or to take exams), but I do have a fulltime job here, related to the field I want to study.
Untill now I have only done "lower level" courses through distance education. But I really want to develop myself more. I don´t have a Bsc yet, so a Master would be impossible (yet).
Thanks so much already, any advise is greatly appreciated.

 

Extra: I would also be interested in a psychology study with a focus on animal psychology/behaviour

 

Since zoology, animal behavior and wildlife conservation are subsets of biology, maybe what you should do is get a bachelor's degree in biology or the natural sciences and then pursue something more specialized at the postgraduate level where there are more options, including distance learning options from UK universities. Since you are a UKer, I would have suggested Open University for your undergraduate degree, but you will almost certainly have to spend some time in a lab to earn one of their degrees, probably in the UK.

One other thing occured to me- if you have signficant relevant work experience, that can sometimes be substituted for a first degree when you are attempting to get into a UK postgraduate degree program.

 

Thanks for your reply, I have thought about getting a biology degree first as well, but I would like to specialise as soon as possible, and am not sure if after a few years of study I directly want to continue to postgraduate level.
I´m not a "UKer"
I have the Dutch nationality but live on a small island belonging to Spain. In Holland there are no possibilities for distance learning in this field. And I would prefer to study in english as well. I will try and search more on American universities.
I have relevant work experience and other course work, which I might be able to transfer for a few credits. However concerning labwork for example (which is not my interest really, I am more focused on Wildlife and Nature parks and behaviorial research) I don´t have any experience at all. I appreciate all your input.

 

Colleges like Excelsior and TESC offer distance degrees where you can design your own degree and obtain credit via portfolio for knowledge learned in your job or other interests.

This is very good advice.

 

Maybe what I want is just non-existing

 

Take a look at New Mexico Junior College (www.nmjc.edu)- they have five biology courses (albeit ones not related to your interests) with virtual labs. Mountain State University also has a number of courses available by independent study: http://www.mountainstate.edu/prospective/programs/extended_distance/independent_study/PDF/IS_Course_List.pdf. All of these courses can be used towards a biology degree from one of the schools Ian mentioned above.

I know it's a bit off topic, but how did you land your current job? I'd love to do something like that.

 

I have now contacted Oregon State University and Thomas Edison State College for more information.
Thank you, if anyone else has more ideas, they are very welcome!

 

Don't give up so easily.

Here are a couple of zoology degrees (not distance)
Department of Zoology - Bachelor of Science Degree
Zoology Bachelor
You can try to duplicate the requirements for these degrees into a self-designed degree as I suggested earlier.

For example, the TESC in Biology has 26 units (approx 9 courses) you could devote to your area of interest (including credit via portfolio)
Thomas Edison State College | BA in Biology Credit Distribution

or create your own degree at TESC using the Learner Designed Area of Study (LDAS)
Thomas Edison State College | Learner Designed Area of Study (LDAS)

The UK Open University has both Biology degres and self-designed degrees
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/open-programme/index.htm
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/science/biology/index.htm

I also found distance degrees in Zoology in non USA/European countries but you would have to check out their validity and suitability.

 

Hi Ian, I haven´t given up yet
Our posts must have crossed, because I replied earlier, but it is not visible on the forum yet. I contacted TESC for more information.

 

Not sure why my other message is not showing (it said it needed approval of a moderator),
it said I contacted Oregon University and Tesc for more information.

 

I'm very eager to hear what you end up doing!!
I'm having the same problem & wishes ;-).

 

same problem here too!

Hey guys,
I just found this thread and I am ALSO having the same problem..!
What did you end up doing?

Should we just all gather together and found a uni ourselves?