My name is Beth Trevethick, and I’m the programme manager
for the BSc (Hons) Applied Marine Zoology course. I’m incredibly passionate
about marine wildlife, conservation, and ecological fieldwork — especially when
it comes to marine mammals, seabirds, and the amazing biodiversity found in our
coastal waters.
Teaching here in Newquay is an absolute privilege. We’re
lucky to be based right on the Cornish coast, where marine life is part of the
everyday environment. From surveying grey seals and harbour porpoises to
exploring intertidal habitats, there’s no shortage of opportunities to get
hands-on experience with the species and ecosystems we study.
I lecture on a range of topics including marine ecology,
wildlife monitoring techniques, conservation policy, and statistical analysis
for field research. I'm especially passionate about helping students build the
practical skills and confidence they need to work in real-world conservation
and research settings.
As you start your journey with us, I encourage you to take
full advantage of everything this course and location offer — whether that’s
joining field surveys, volunteering with local conservation groups, learning to
analyse data in R, or simply spending time watching and monitoring wildlife on
the cliffs and beaches. We also have strong links with organisations like
Cornwall Wildlife Trust, British Divers Marine Life Rescue, the Seal Research
Trust and other local marine research charities, giving you plenty of chances
to develop your experience outside the classroom.
Most importantly, I hope you enjoy your time here and
immerse yourself in both the science and the community that surrounds it. The
marine world is facing real challenges, and we need passionate, skilled
graduates to help make a difference. I look forward to working with you along
the way.
Welcome to Newquay, and welcome to the BSc Applied Marine
Zoology course!
This link will take you to the download page for QGIS if you want to download in preparation for your course. Choose the right download package for your laptop (Microsoft or Mac).
Reading List
Whilst
you may find it useful to have your own copies of textbooks, we will encourage
you to make as much use as possible of our learning centre resources, including
online electronic journals. As you progress through your degree from 1st
year to your final year the online electronic journals will become your primary
source of information.
The
prices quoted are from the natural history book store www.nhbs.com (please see the link below) but it is worth checking Amazon’s “new and used” section for second hand
copies.
You
may also find 2nd hand books being sold by previous students on the Students
at Cornwall College Newquay Facebook page (please see the link below).
These
books are available for loan through our library too, so it is not essential to
buy these before enrolment. It may be worth
reading through them before deciding if they work for you.
The Natural History Book Store, also known as NHBS, specialises in books and equipment related to wildlife, ecology, and conservation. They offer over 135,000 books covering various aspects of natural history, along with a comprehensive rangeof wildlife survey equipment, nest boxes, and habitat management tools.
Barnard, C., Gilbert, F. and McGregor, P. (2016) Asking Questions in Biology: A Guide to Hypothesis Testing, Experimental Design and Presentation in Practical Work and Research Projects. London: Pearson Higher Education.
Notes: ISBN-13: 978-1292085999 | £28.99
Campbell, N.A., Urry,
LA, Cain, M.L., Wasserman, S.A., Minorsky, P.V. and Reece, J,B. (2017) Biology: A Global
Approach, Global Edition. London: Pearson.
Notes: ISBN-13: 978-1292170435 | Paperback £57.99 | Older editions are
available, are still good and will be significantly cheaper.
Dipper, F. (2016) The Marine World: A Natural History of Marine Life. 1st edn. Plymouth: Wild
Nature Press.
Notes: ISBN-13:
978-0957394629 | £34.99
Webb, P.(2019) Introduction to Oceanography. Montreal:Rebus Community.
Notes: This is a free, peer-reviewed textbook. Please use the link below for access.
If you have a relatively weak science/biology
background it is well worth buying an AS level (e.g. the OCR AS-Biology
revision guide £9.99) and browsing through it over the summer.
Alternatively, have a look at Concepts of Biology and download a free peer-reviewed copy. Please use the link below for access.
Introduction to Oceanography is a textbook appropriate to an introductory-level university course in oceanography. The book covers the fundamental geological, chemical, physical and biological processes in the ocean, with an emphasis on the North Atlantic region.
Concepts of Biology is designed for the typical introductory biology course for nonmajors, covering standard scope and sequence requirements. The text includes interesting applications and conveys the major themes of biology, with content that is meaningful and easy to understand. The book is designed to demonstrate biology concepts and to promote scientific literacy.
Year 2 | Recommended Books
Berta, A., Sumich, J.L., and Kovacs, K.M. (2020) Marine Mammals: Evolutionary Biology. 4th edn. Cambridge: Academic Press.
Notes:ISBN-13: 978-0128167262 | £70.99
Campbell, N.A., Urry, LA, Cain, M.L., Wasserman, S.A., Minorsky, P.V. and Reece, J,B. (2017) Biology: A Global Approach, Global Edition. London: Pearson.
Notes: ISBN-13: 978-1292170435 | Paperback £57.99 | Older editions are available, are still good and will be significantly cheaper.
Smith, T.M. and Smith,
R.L. (2014) Elements of Ecology. 9th edn. London: Pearson.
Notes: ISBN-13: 978-1292077408 | £61.99
Spalding, M. (2023)
Marine Conservation: Science, Policy and Management. Oxford: University Press.
Notes: ISBN-13: 978-0192843461 | £39.99
Zhu, X. (2016) GIS for Environmental Applications: A Practical Approach. Abingdon-on-Thames: Routledge.
Notes: ISBN-13: 978-1138784729 | £39.99
If you have a relatively weak science/biology
background, it is well worth buying an AS level (e.g. the OCR AS-Biology
revision guide £9.99) and browsing through it over the summer.
Alternatively, have a look at Concepts of Biology and download a free peer-reviewed copy. Please use the link below for access.
Concepts of Biology is designed for the typical introductory biology course for nonmajors, covering standard scope and sequence requirements. The text includes interesting applications and conveys the major themes of biology, with content that is meaningful and easy to understand. The book is designed to demonstrate biology concepts and to promote scientific literacy.
Year 3 | Recommended Books
At
Higher Education (HE) Level 6, the expectation is that you will mostly use
primary, peer-reviewed literature (scientific journals) to inform your work.
You will have free access to a vast electronic library through your University
of Plymouth digital account. So, there is no major requirement to invest in
expensive textbooks for the BSc Applied Zoology course. However,
one textbook that we do use as the core text for the Honours Project module is:
Barnard, C., Gilbert, F. and McGregor, P. (2016)Asking
Questions in Biology: A Guide to Hypothesis Testing, Experimental Design and
Presentation in Practical Work and Research Projects. London: Pearson Higher Education.
Notes: ISBN-13: 978-1292085999 | £28.99 | We
hold several copies of this textbook in the Learning Centre, but some
students find having access to their own personal copy useful.
We
also teach statistical analysis using the R-studio package for which there are
a number of good supporting books, two of which are shown below. However, there
are also many free resources online for learning R, so you may want to wait
until starting the course before making a decision as to whether or not to
invest in a book.
Useful Books
Beckerman
A. P., Childs D. Z. and Petchey O. L. (2017) Getting Started with
R: An Introduction for Biologists. 2nd edn.
Oxford: University Press.
Notes: ISBN-10:
0199601623 | £25.49
OR
Gardener,
M. (2017) Statistics for Ecologists using R and Excel. 2nd edn. London: Pelagic Publishing.
Notes: ISBN 9781784271398 | 34.99
Useful Free Marine Textbooks and Other Information
The books listed below are available as free PDF copies for you to explore and save to your own devices if you wish.
Ocean Exploration Trust explores the ocean, seeking out new discoveries while pushing the boundaries of technological innovation, education, and outreach. Founded in 2007 by Titanic discoverer Dr. Robert Ballard, our international expeditions launched from aboard Exploration Vessel Nautilus center scientific exploration of the seafloor, collaborating with the broad scientific and local communities, and engaging curious minds worldwide via interactive live streaming deep sea exploration and education programs.
Watch all episodes of the Blue Planet 2. In recent years, our knowledge of life beneath the waves has been transformed. Using cutting-edge technology in this extended special, we celebrate the highlights from the series. From the intense heat of the tropics to our planet's frozen poles, through to its unexplored depths, we reveal new worlds and extraordinary never-seen-before animal behaviours.
Filled with stories of people living out their soul's calling, the So You Want to be a Marine Biologist podcast is your go-to resource for exploring the connection between humans, the land and the high seas. If you've dreamed of journeying the ocean's depths, wondered where your food comes from, or thought about how it all fits together, this podcast is for you. This show dive into science, conservation and living in connection with our blue planet.
Marine Mammal Science is a podcast covering some of the latest scientific research on marine mammals - whales and dolphins, polar bears, seals and seal lions, mantees and dugongs, and sea otters. The podcast is produced by Absolutley SMashing Events and Consulting on behalf of the Society for Marine Mammalogy and the journal Marine Mammal Science.
The Marine Conservation Happy Hour Podcast looks at the many different sides of Conservation Science (marine, environmental, animal and human) in an informal setting, during a pub Happy Hour, chatting casually over a few drinks.