MSc Ecology and Conservation
The MSc in Ecology and Conservation is one of our most popular postgraduate schemes. At the heart of its success is flexibility of choice from a wide range of modules that meet the needs or interests of any student of ecological or conservation sciences. This vocational degree offers you the chance to blend ecological and environmental science topics with those from areas such as social science, geography, and statistics.
This MSc provides you with an understanding of the relationships between living organisms and their physical, chemical and biotic environment while also providing important specific skills related to environmental monitoring and management.
The course also develops transferable skills appropriate to a career in research, consultancy or industry. Graduates have gone on to pursue careers in the environmental and conservation sectors, as well as progressing to further study for a PhD.
Core Modules
- Dissertation Project
Optional Modules
- Advanced laboratory methods for environmental sciences: theory and practice
- Air Pollution and Climate
- Biological Effects of Air Pollution and Climate Change
- Chemical Risk Assessment
- Conservation Biology
- Contaminated Land and Remediation
- Crop Protection
- Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Data Assimilation and Integration
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Toxicology
- Food Security, Agriculture and Climate Change
- Geoinformatics
- Habitat Management
- Lake Ecology
- Modelling Environmental Processes
- Pollution Microbiology
- Sustainable Soil Management
- Using the NVC.
- Wildlife Population Ecology
- Wildlife Monitoring Techniques
- Work Placement
Essential Info
Director of Studies
Dr Ian Hartley
Duration
12 months full-time, 24 months part-time.
Entry Requirements
Applicants to our taught masters degrees require a relevant, good first degree (normally 2:1 or equivalent). We can also consider applicants with a 2:2 (or equivalent) if they have relevant work experience (including voluntary work).
We also encourage applications from professionals who have relevant work-related qualifications but not necessarily a first degree. If you come from a non-standard background and would like advice on your eligibility for our programmes please get in touch with the LEC PG Office.
Funding
There are a number of bursaries available for our Taught Masters courses, please consult Taught Masters Funding.
Contact Details
To discuss further please consult the Director of Studies, for general enquiries please consult the FAQ page.
Student Profile
I learnt practical skills that have stood me in good stead when looking for work, such as using GIS and the NVC. I also gained a good theoretical grounding in conservation, habitat management and some of the key issues and problems in ecological decision making. It was a very rounded course and being able to select modules to suit my own interests and career direction made it particularly beneficial. I am currently working in the Cairngorms area of Scotland as a woodland survey ecologist. I am part of an ambitious six year project by Forestry Commission Scotland to map and assess all native woodlands and planted woods on ancient woodland sites throughout Scotland.
Ellie Rickman