Ecological Management and Conservation Biology
Master
In Belfast City
Description
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Type
Master
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Location
Belfast city (Northern Ireland)
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Duration
1 Year
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Start date
Different dates available
Overview: We’re in the middle of a biodiversity crisis; the sixth mass extinction event on Earth. Over half of the world’s wildlife has vanished in the last fifty years. There is unprecedented pressure on the environment due to exploitation, habitat degradation and loss, climate change, invasive species, pollution and emerging diseases. You can be part of something to help address this. For more information, watch our recent webinar!
Why Queen's?You will taught by staff with research profiles of international standing, with a wide range of interests in ecological management and conservation biology covering taxa from algae to mammals and environments from marine to terrestrial. Ecological researchers in the School of Biological Sciences maintain close links between academia and government departments responsible for the maintenance of biodiversity.
Laboratory facilities and access to field facilities are excellent and include a fully equipped Marine Laboratory at Portaferry on Strangford Lough. PERKS YOU'LL GET You’ll do a professional development module with a work placement. You don’t necessarily have work in a conservation-orientated environment - previous students have gone to places as unusual as art galleries where they have created scientifically inspired artwork as an alternative method for scientific communication outreach. THE PEOPLE TEACHING YOU Dr Neil Reid is the Course Director. He wants to move students away from sitting in dry academic lectures to get you out into the real world to acquire the skills you’ll need for a job in conservation.
“My background is in Zoology and Ecology. I’ve worked a lot in the Tropics, in Central America in high-altitude cloudforest on the impact of bushmeat hunting on animals like tapirs.”
Dr Neil Reid, Lecturer in Conservation...
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
About this course
MSc: a 2.2 Honours degree or above in a relevant area of science, such as Biology or Environmental Studies or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS For information on international qualification equivalents please select Your Country from the list on our International Students website. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to...
Reviews
Subjects
- Conservation
- Biology
- Biodiversity
- Ecology
- School
- Staff
- Teaching
Course programme
Course Details
The programme has a backbone of taught academic lectures covering the full spectrum of subjects contained within conservation biology including:
Animal behaviour
Biodiversity
Conservation genetics
Emerging plant pathogens
Environmental economics
Environmental impact assessment
Grassland management
Invasion biology
Marine conservation
Soil biology
Wildfire ecology
WHAT ELSE WILL YOU DO?
- Each week there is a day trip to experience the practicalities of what you’ve learned in class and to see ecological management in-the-field.
- You’ll visit captive breeding facilities for endangered species, offshore island bird colonies, river corridors along which invasive species are managed, ground-nesting bird conservation programmes, national nature reserves including sand dunes, bogs and species-rich grasslands, commercial industry, Belfast Zoo and the Mourne Mountains.
- Although you’ll be based in the Medical Biology Centre (MBC), you’ll be taken off campus a lot, including to the Queen’s Marine Laboratory (QML) located an hour south of Belfast at Portaferry.
- You will also have an on-board visit to the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) Research Vessel, the Corytes, when she is in dock. The research project component also enables you to get out into the field to collect ecological data at locations of your own choosing.
For more information, JOIN OUR UPCOMING WEBINAR!
Take a look at some photos from recent field trips our current students took part in:
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COURSE MODULES
The course consists of five modules that are taken by all students:
Module Title
Module Vaue (CATS)
Assessment Information
Ecological Management and Conservation Biology (BBC8034)
40 CATS
- Assessment is 50% continuous assessment and 50% final written examination.
Foundations for Research in the Biosciences (BBC8042)
20 CATS
- Research seminar critique (20% of final mark).
- Research grant proposal (60% of final mark).
- Poster presentation (20% of final mark)
Skills in Ecological Management (BBC8035)
20 CATS
- Two thirds CA, one third species ID practical examination.
Professional Development (BBC8026)
20 CATS
- 100% CA.
Literature review (BBC8025)
20 CATS
- The literature review is assessed.
The following module is for the MSc pathway only
Research project (BBC8001)
60 CATS
- Thesis is assessed.
First semester modules: BBC8034, BBC8042 and BBC8025, followed by the remaining modules in the second semester.
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Assessment & FeedbackAwarding of the qualifications is based on continuous assessment of coursework, examinations and assessment of modules based solely on submitted work related to private, individual study.
A Graduate Diploma student who achieves 50 per cent or higher in the written examination and coursework may be permitted to transfer to the MSc subject to General Regulations. The MSc will be awarded with Distinction to a student who achieves a dissertation and average mark both exceeding 70 per cent.
Learning and TeachingTHE ENVIRONMENT
You’ll be part of a small, informal and chatty class. You’re encouraged to butt-in and ask questions. You’ll get to know your classmates and your lecturers well during field trips. You are expected to become an integral part of the School of Biological Sciences and are invited to staff and postgraduate student coffee mornings each Thursday.
Additional information
Ecological Management and Conservation Biology