Ecology and Environmental Biology

Ecology and environmental biology sit at the heart of some of the most pressing questions of our time. Understanding how living organisms interact with one another and with the physical world around them is essential for addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, and the long-term health of ecosystems. This three-year full-time programme at Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine prepares you to think rigorously about those relationships and to contribute to the science that underpins environmental decision-making.

You will study the processes that govern how populations grow, compete, and change over time, and explore how energy and nutrients flow through food webs and landscapes. The course focuses on the interaction between living organisms and species and their environment, giving you a grounding in how plants, animals, and microbes shape and are shaped by their ecosystems. You will develop skills in field observation and data collection, laboratory analysis, and the quantitative methods that allow ecologists to draw reliable conclusions from complex natural systems.

Statistical thinking, experimental design, and scientific communication are woven through the programme, equipping you to interpret and present evidence with precision.

With a typical entry tariff of 168 points, the programme attracts students who are serious about the biological sciences and committed to understanding the natural world at a mechanistic level. You will engage with current debates in conservation biology, invasive species management, and the ecology of human-modified landscapes, building a picture of how ecological science informs policy and land-use practice. The location in London provides access to a range of urban and peri-urban field sites as well as research institutions and environmental agencies.

Graduates of ecology and environmental biology programmes go on to work in conservation and environmental consultancy, government agencies, research institutes, and non-governmental organisations concerned with biodiversity and sustainability. Many pursue postgraduate study, moving into research careers in ecology, evolutionary biology, or environmental science. Others apply their analytical and scientific skills in environmental law, science communication, or education.

The discipline opens doors wherever rigorous evidence about the natural world is needed to guide decisions.