| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
| 2024-01-01 | - |
Program Overview
Keele University's MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation equips students with a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity, ecology, and conservation. Through hands-on learning and fieldwork, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, preparing them for careers in environmental management, research, and policy. The program emphasizes specialization in biodiversity, ecology, and conservation, enhancing career prospects in these fields.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation
Keele University's MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation equips students with a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity, ecology, and conservation. The program delves into contemporary environmental issues, emphasizing the application of knowledge to propose robust solutions. It fosters expertise in environmental management, allowing students to develop research and field skills through theoretical and practical learning. This program strengthens graduates' career prospects through specialization in biodiversity, ecology, and conservation.
Objectives:
- Equip students with a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity, ecology, and conservation in the context of contemporary environmental issues.
- Foster expertise in environmental management and develop research and field skills through theoretical and practical learning.
- Enhance career prospects through specialization in biodiversity, ecology, and conservation.
Description:
This interdisciplinary program emphasizes hands-on learning and fieldwork, enabling students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students learn through various teaching methods, including lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, and fieldwork. Keele University's green campus provides a unique environment for students to apply their knowledge, demonstrate practical skills, and develop expertise in various specializations aligned with their interests. The program fosters independent thinking and problem-solving by incorporating quantitative data collection, analysis, and experimentation.
Outline:
Course Duration:
- One year for full-time study
- Two years for part-time study
Structure:
- Keele Pathway: 180 credits completed over one year at Keele University
Modules:
Compulsory Modules:
- Applied Ecology and Conservation (30 credits): This module combines lectures, practical exercises, and a week-long field course to develop advanced skills in applying ecological and conservation principles. Students learn to identify key issues, propose solutions, and explore topics such as species and site conservation, protected areas, priority areas, and holistic approaches to landscape conservation.
- Biodiversity Skills (30 credits): This module equips students with research and field techniques for effective and critical assessment of biodiversity. They develop specialist skills in identifying selected taxa to species level.
- Research Design (15 credits): This module prepares students for independent research by developing skills to design and conduct high-quality, ethical research. By becoming familiar with various research methods, students enhance their approaches to understanding complex data and information. Students utilize industry-standard software and cloud-based applications for mapping, spatial data acquisition, and analysis. Develop high-level skills in basic modeling, data analysis, and interpreting complex information related to climate change.
- Development and Climate Justice (15 credits): Analyze current debates in human geography and learn about economic development and climate adaptation. Explore key challenges across political, economic, and developmental geography through case studies from around the world. Develop a geographical understanding of economic and environmental history, including green grabbing, conservation, and mitigation measures.
- International Environmental Law (15 credits): Take a critical perspective on the development of international environmental law. Understand legal norms, institutions, and processes, and explore contemporary environmental issues such as biodiversity loss, transboundary pollution, toxic waste dumping, trade and environment, food security, animal rights, and climate change through specific treaty regimes.
- Collaborative Project (15 credits): Collaborate with Keele University staff to identify and approach real-world issues, define projects, and gain essential employability skills and experience. Lead collaborative discussions to co-define and co-design project scope, review progress, and assess outcomes. Develop highly desirable skills in project planning and management, effective communication in a professional setting, and problem solving.
Dissertation Options:
- Dissertation - VMU Lithuania Pathway (60 credits): Build upon research skills acquired throughout the program by conducting an independent research project culminating in a 15,000-20,000 word dissertation. Collaborate with Keele and VMU staff to identify and develop a research question, implement appropriate methods, and provide evidence-based insights and findings.
- Dissertation (60 credits): Build upon research skills acquired throughout the program by conducting an independent research project culminating in a 15,000-20,000 word dissertation. Work independently with project supervisor(s) and utilize one-to-one meetings, self-learning techniques, and independent research.
Assessment:
Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including technical reports, examinations, presentations, field course portfolios, laboratory reports, essays, and peer assessments. These assessments measure students' understanding, ideas, and critical analysis skills. Other assessment methods include research projects, group videos, class tests, poster presentations, reviews, reflective diaries, and field notebooks.
Teaching:
The program utilizes a diverse range of teaching methods to enhance students' theoretical understanding, practical skills, and professional development. Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, problem-solving classes, and independent learning. Students work collaboratively with peers to explore core concepts, literature, case studies, and research design. They engage in enriched practical teaching through laboratory classes and fieldwork, enabling them to apply their learning, techniques, and data analysis. Students communicate effectively with academic staff and peers by reporting findings and participating in discussions and debates. Online learning is integrated via electronic submission of assessments, receiving feedback, and accessing resources for independent learning.
Careers:
Graduates of the MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation are equipped for diverse careers in specialist fields and further study at the PhD level. The program provides transferable skills that widen career prospects and assist with personal and professional development. Graduates gain strong research and design skills, data handling expertise, statistical analysis proficiency, and project management capabilities. Potential career paths include:
- Local
ational government - Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Project management
- Research associate
- Policy institutes
- Environmental consultant
- Business analyst
- Education
Other:
Field Courses:
Compulsory field courses are provided at no additional cost on this program.
Library Costs:
Additional costs may be incurred for inter-library loans, potential overdue library fines, general printing, and dissertation printing.
UK - Full time £11,000 per year. Part time £6,000 per year. International - £20,700 per year.
