Ecology and Environmental Sustainability

Master

In Aberdeen

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Master

  • Location

    Aberdeen (Scotland)

  • Duration

    12 Months

To provide training for research on the biology, ecology and sustainable management of biological resources. Potential doctoral students will gain multi-disciplinary research skills and practical experience of working in active research environments alongside established scientists and will be trained to develop, execute and manage individual research projects. Students will also receive training via taught modules based on current research of contributing scientists drawn from diverse ecological disciplines. Suitable for: Students intending to carry on to do a PhD, and for those seeking careers in ecological research, conservation and management.

Facilities

Location

Start date

Aberdeen (Aberdeen City)
See map
Zoology Building, Tillydrone Avenue, AB24 2TZ

Start date

On request

About this course

A degree or equivalent qualification, at the prescribed standard, in Plant Science, Forestry, Zoology or Biology. Candidates with other qualifications (e.g. Honours degree in Geography, Geology, Soil Science) will also be considered if they can show a supporting qualification at a sufficiently advanced level in a biological subject. All candidates must have taken at least one substantial course in ecology at undergraduate level. (These requirements may be modified in individual cases on consideration of a special application.)

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Course programme

Syllabus

Candidates shall be required to attend a combination of courses selected from the following list (some of which are compulsory, others optional):

  • Advanced ecological concepts
  • Advanced statistics
  • Applied ecological modelling
  • Aquaculture
  • Biological conservation in the tropics
  • Biology and Ecology of Mycorrhizae
  • Climate change
  • Ecological laboratory techniques
  • Ecological methods
  • Ecology and society
  • Ecological economics
  • Experimental design and data analysis
  • Marine ecosystem biology
  • Microbial ecology
  • Personal research development
  • Plant ecology
  • Population ecology
  • Project work, communication and presentation
  • Remote sensing and GIS in the environment
  • Individual controlled environmental research project

Assessment

The course is assessed through a combination of (1) written and oral assignments as prescribed for each course, and (2) a written report of the research project. Candidates are usually required to attend an oral examination. Only candidates who complete (1) at an appropriate standard will be allowed to progress to the final stage leading to an MSc degree.

Teaching

The course comprises a combination of taught modules each of which will involve lectures/seminars and practical work. There is one 10-day residential field course (at Bettyhill, Sutherland) plus several day-long field trips from Aberdeen. Emphasis throughout is on active participation in class discussions, presentations and group work. The Individual Research Project is devised by the student in consulation with a supervisor (a member of the School of Biological Sciences).

Dedication

Full-time.

Additional information

Career opportunities: Recent graduates have gone on to do higher degrees (PhD) in ecology, become conservation officers, research assistants, environmental consultants or be involved in environmental education projects, for example.

Ecology and Environmental Sustainability

Price on request