Marine and Coastal Resource Management (with optional Placement/Project year) MSc
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-10-01 | - |
| 2025-02-01 | - |
| 2025-05-01 | - |
| 2025-10-01 | - |
Program Overview
This IEMA-accredited MSc in Marine and Coastal Resource Management equips students with advanced knowledge and skills in marine ecology, resource exploitation, and environmental impact assessment. Through interactive learning, field research, and an international field trip, graduates gain expertise in marine conservation, wildlife management, and sustainable resource management. The program offers optional placement or project years for practical experience and career advancement.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This course is accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), the professional body for everyone working in environment and sustainability. IEMA accreditation entitles students registered on this course to FREE student membership, and on successful completion you will be eligible for graduate membership. Graduate membership (GradIEMA) is a launchpad for future leaders within the environment and sustainability sector and offers a range of benefits to support your career. You can then ‘fast track’ to Practitioner Membership. We will provide you with advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills in identifying, measuring and quantifying marine and coastal resources and the effects of anthropogenic impacts upon them. We do this by engaging you in an interactive learning environment, exploring our expertise in field and lab-based research on marine species, habitats and processes in the UK, and further afield. You will be trained in marine field research techniques, have the opportunity to become certified as a GUE scientific diver, learn advanced analytical methods and develop your science communication skills. You will become competent in the application of marine and coastal sciences to practical management settings, providing access to a wide range of employment opportunities. You will have the chance to acquire skills that will empower you to make decisions and develop policy on the management and protection of marine environments across the globe. You will apply these skills to a range of real-life scenarios, including wildlife management and conservation, environmental impact assessment, ecosystem services and sustainable marine resource exploitation. There is an option to choose a Project/Placement year for this course, at an additional cost.
Outline:
Modules Core specialisations are taught over six modules using a dynamic seminar and discussion group format, complemented by an international field trip. Modules include: Conservation Genetics; Research Dissertation; Biodiversity Informatics; Marine Field Trip; Marine Ecology and Habitat Survey; Marine Resource Exploitation and Management; and Marine Environmental Impact Assessment. If you choose a placement or project year, the Research Dissertation module will be replaced by a placement or project module.
Conservation Genetics
(Compulsory)
- Module content: 1) Genetics as a tool for conservation 2) Genetic markers 3) The use of non-invasive genetic techniques 4) Population-level genetic processes 5) Phylogenetic Comparative Methods 6) Interpreting genetic data to inform management
- Module aims: To provide an introduction to cutting-edge genetic and genomic techniques that are used to inform conservation actions. During the course, learners will be introduced, both theoretically and practically, to the genetic approaches that are currently implemented to inform conservation management actions for species in the wild. The module explores the importance of genetic processes to species survival and how genetic techniques can be used as a tool to answered questions of conservation concern.
Research Dissertation
(Compulsory)
- Module content: 1. Introduction to module; 2. Project planning; 3. Literature searching, evaluation and referencing; 4. Identification of ethical issues and application for approval; 5. Quantitative research design; 6. Statistical methods; 7. Preparation for scientific dissemination: Preparing journal articles, scientific posters and oral presentations.
- Module aims: To provide the student with an opportunity to investigate systematically, and in depth, a topic of direct relevance to the programme of study and his/her personal interests. To enable the student to draw on and contribute to the development of the growing body of knowledge relevant to the programme of study and his/her personal interests. To present the outcomes of personal research in the form of a) scientific paper, in the form of a journal article, b) scientific poster and c) oral presentation.
Biodiversity Informatics
(Compulsory)
- Module content:
- Module aims:
Marine Ecology and Habitat Survey
(Compulsory)
- Module content: This module provides learners with advanced theory and key practical skills related to:
- Key ecological concepts and threats associated with the marine environment
- Marine processes and habitats
- Taxanomic identification of coastal flora and fauna
- Identifying, measuring, sampling and monitoring intertidal habitats
- Abundance, distribution, and community composition of foramnifera in coastal habitats
- Trophic associations between planktonic, nektonic, and benthic communities
- Assessment criteria for habitat management, and species conservation
- Module aims: This module provides advanced theoretical knowledge of the ecological processes that are fundamental to the field of marine ecology and equips students with cutting-edge field and practical skills for their professional career development. Associated topics are applied to coastal ecosystems in which geographic distribution, key species and habitats, and important ecosystem services are explored.
Marine Resource Exploitation and Management
(Compulsory)
- Module content: This module provides learners with advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills in:
- Key concepts of marine resource exploitation and management
- Current and historical trends in global fisheries
- Oil and mineral extraction
- Aquaculture and mariculture
- Tourism
- Global and regional policy
- Management design
- Case studies profiling how biological knowledge can inform practical management for marine species and their habitats.
- Module aims: The module provides students with a detailed understanding of the key concepts associated with the exploitation of marine and coastal resources, the effects of overexploitation, and why marine resources need to be managed. It provides insight into the legal frameworks that determine habitat management protocols, their governance, and enforcement. This includes the process of designing best practice and policy recommendations for species and site management, which is a fundamental skill for professionals working in the sector. The module also provides graduate level introduction to the process of monitoring marine resource management post intervention in specific situations.
Marine Environmental Impact Assessment
(Compulsory)
- Module content:
- Module aims:
Marine Field Trip
(Compulsory)
- Module content: This module provides learners with advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills in:
- Planning and designing marine field research
- Water based field techniques for surveying marine habitats
- Field identification techniques for marine flora and fauna
- Demographic indicators of marine species
- Techniques for marine wildlife monitoring
- Marine habitat assessment and management design
- Risk evaluation and ethics in marine wildlife research Learners meeting acceptance criteria have the option to undertake a non-credit bearing EN 14153-2/ISO 24801-2 certified diving qualification separately through GUE . This qualification can be augmented by a GUE scientific diving class as part of the field course. This training component meets the standards of the European Scientific Diving Panel.
- Please note that students opting to undertake scientific dive training are subject to additional costs.
- Module aims: The aim of this module is to train students in fundamental water based field techniques for surveying marine habitats and species. The module is designed to deliver advanced marine biology theory and facilitate the development of a comprehensive range of practical and professional skills that are required by today’s employers in government, NGO, and consultancy sectors. It also provides students with hands-on experience of marine habitat management and conservation.
Assessment:
- Assessment is via field reports; lab/essay assignments; environmental impact assessment; individual/group oral presentations; preparation and presentation of posters; ethical review; and an independent research project. There are no final examinations.
Teaching:
- Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops, discussion groups, laboratory practicals and field trips (including an international field trip to a tropical coral reef system).
Careers:
- The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
- Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
- We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs .
Other:
- Choosing a Professional Placement MSc is a win-win for your career, giving you the chance to get real experience, apply your cutting-edge skills in the workplace and stand out to future employers.
- In the first year you will have help from the University to find a placement, whilst developing your expertise. You will then spend your second year out in industry on placement, getting the chance to work with industry professionals and grow your network of industry contacts. Bringing your university-acquired knowledge and insights to industry, you will get to make a difference to the workplace and make lasting links with your employer.
- Students need to find and secure their own placement, supported by the University. A preparation module will also help you to get ready for your placement.
- The Professional Project MSc is your chance to get the experience you need to stand out to graduate employers and make a difference by solving real global business challenges and demonstrating practical application of your learning. Prepare for the future by reflecting on your experience and the enhanced skills that you have gained.
- In the first year you will have help from the University to find a professional project whilst developing your expertise in the taught modules of your degree. You will then spend your second year working on a client-led project, getting the chance to work with industry professionals and building your contacts.
- Students need to find and secure their own project, supported by the University. A preparation module will also help you to get ready for your project and develop your professional skills.
Tuition Fees and Payment Information:
Home Students
- £12,780 for the full course (2024/25)
International/EU Students
- £17,750 for the full course (2024/25)
- The professional placement/project year will cost an additional £2,650 (due at the start of the second year of the course), totaling £20,400 for the full course fee 2024/25.
- The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.
Additional Costs
- Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.
- If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.
