Training professionals for the rapidly evolving field of Conservation Biology is essential for securing a future for our natural heritage. We achieve this by fostering science education and training as part of our strategic objectives. The CRC research team contributes to the education and training of students and young researchers in biology and veterinary medicine, and is actively involved in lecturing students at universities and colleges in Belgium and the Netherlands. We offer internships, (co)supervise student projects, and offer MSc and PhD positions in conservation biology and veterinary sciences. In an avarage year a total of 40 Bachelor and Masters students write a thesis as part of a CRC research project, and 8 PhD students work towards the completion of their PhD degrees. In addition, the CRC invests in building scientific capacity in developing countries by providing research training opportunities for Cameroonian, Congolese and Brazilian students and conservation professionals.

Primatology - with the University of Antwerp

1st Semester Annually (September – December)

Coördinator: Zjef Pereboom and Nicky Staes

More information is available on UAntwerpen Blackboard.

Introduction to Zoo Conservation Biology - with the UNIVERSITY of Utrecht

1st Semester Annually (October - November) 

Coördinator: Zjef Pereboom

Conservation Biology is a rapidly growing multidisciplinary field in biology which focuses on biological principles and their applications for the conservation of species and habitats, biodiversity conservation in general and the maintenance of ecosystems. It represents a fusion of relevant ideas from ecology, population biology, genetics, biogeography, behaviour and a number of applied disciplines such as wildlife management and forestry. Zoo Conservation Biology specifically approaches this broad field of research from a zoo perspective. This introductory course will mainly focus on areas of interest that are related to the management of small populations in captive settings and in field conservation programmes.

This course is part of the specialization programme Behavioural Ecology in the Master Environmental Biology at Utrecht University

Conservation Genetics - with the UNIVERSITies of Antwerp and Gent

2nd Semester Annually (February-May)

Coördinator: Zjef Pereboom / Peter Galbusera / Philippe Helsen

Biological diversity decreases worldwide at an increasing speed as a consequence of human activities. Conservation genetics studies the processes in small and isolated populations affecting genetic diversity, its fitness consequences and approaches to minimize fitness loss. Loss of genetic diversity not only induces problems of inbreeding, but also compromises the ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. In this course, students will be introduced to the basic concepts of this relatively young discipline and will acquire basic skills to perform population genetic analyses and critically evaluate scientific literature.

This course module is a part of the Master Biology in Antwerp, Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration and of the Master of Science in Biology at Ugent. Classes will take place at Antwerp ZOO.

Measuring Behaviour - with the UNIVERSITY of Antwerp

2nd Semester Annually (usually in May) 

This course is a practical add-on to the behavioural biology course at Antwerp University, which aims to train undergraduate students to objectively observe and interpret animal behaviour. Skills acquired include the independent drafting and implementing behavioural protocols, analysis and interpretation of observation data, training in drafting behavioural experiments, writing an essay on the basis of behaviour observations. In addition, special attention will be paid to (1) asking the right questions in the context of behavioural research; (2) how hypotheses and predictions can be tested based on behavioural data; (3) how behavioural data can be processed, interpreted and presented.

Please contact Rianne Pinxten at the University of Antwerp for details.