Conservation Studies MSc
Master
In St Andrews
Description
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Type
Master
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Location
St andrews (Scotland)
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Duration
1 Year
The MSc Conservation Studies is a one-year interdisciplinary Masters degree. It provides a scientific understanding of data collection and analysis, environmental governance, and conflicts between conservation and societies.
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
About this course
Explore conflicts between different human agencies, engage with conservation policy and governance at different scales (local, national, and international), and consider the relationship between the public, science, and policy.
Research ecological case studies and examples from a range of habitats in aquatic and terrestrial systems and gain a scientific understanding of data collection and analysis.
An interdisciplinary approach means you can explore a range of methodological approaches to conservation – ecological, economic, historical, etc.
Your summer research project can (subject to availability) be undertaken in collaboration with an external organisation involved in conservation practice.
The MSc Conservation Studies provides the subject knowledge and general skills needed for conservation-related careers in government and public bodies, non-governmental organisations and charities, and the private sector. You will:
be trained in the evaluation of scientific evidence
have the opportunity to develop field work, mathematical, computing, and experimental skills
develop your broader transferable skills in areas such as project management, team working, and communicating academic concepts to mixed audiences.
A good 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree.
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Subjects
- Conservation
- Project
- Environmental Change
- Environmental Economics
- Economics
- Environmental History
- Information Systems
- Information technology
- Population biology
- History
Course programme
The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue which is for the 2018–2019 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2019 entry.
Compulsory
Each semester is organised around core modules exploring the theory and methodologies needed to complete the summer research project.
Semester 1
- What is Conservation?: explores the concept of "conservation" as well as questions about what should be conserved, why, and how.
Semester 2
- Case Studies in Conservation: addresses conservation policy and management, biodiversity and ecosystem function, methods for estimating population size, and digital tools for conservation.
Optional modules allow you to shape the degree around your own personal and professional interests.
The optional modules available vary each year but will normally cover topics including:
- environmental change
- environmental economics
- environmental history
- Geographical Information Systems
- green information technology
- population biology.
In Semester 1, all students will normally take an optional module in quantitative methods.
Researchar Project
The final module of the MSc degree is the summer research project. The project takes the form of a period of independent supervised research where you explore a conservation topic in depth. Through the project, you will apply the theory and analytical methods learned in the core modules.
You can choose to present your research project as:
- a written policy project that emphasises your ability to critically assess policy issues
- a multi-media portfolio that emphasises your ability to present conservation concepts in formats suitable for different audiences
- a written dissertation that demonstrates your ability to plan and execute academically rigorous research.
If students choose not to complete the project requirement for the MSc, there are exit awards available that allow suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Certificate or a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PG Cert or PGDip instead of an MSc.
Additional information
Conservation Studies MSc