Wildlife Conservation & Management, MSc

Newcastle University, School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development

Disciplines:

Agriculture, Forestry, Animal & Related Sciences
Earth Sciences
Geography
Ecology, Biodiversity & Conservation
Hydrology & Water Management

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Quick facts

Country:	United Kingdom	Duration:	12 Months
City:	Newcastle	Start Date:	September
Educational Form:	Taught	Languages:	English
Education Variants:	Full Time
Application Deadline:	Applications are considered throughout the year
Annual Tuition Fee:	€ 5239 - Details € 16696 (non-EEA)

Programme Description

The emphasis throughout the course is on a multidisciplinary approach to conservation; with much use being made of contemporary conservation problems in north-east England and elsewhere in UK upland, lowland and coastal areas. Therefore, this degree is of particular interest to those aiming to take up a position in wildlife conservation and management in the UK .

Many graduates with degrees in biology, physical geography, environmental science/studies and social sciences seek employment in wildlife conservation with non-governmental organisations (wildlife trusts, National Trust), statutory organisations (English Nature, DEFRA) and environmental consultancies. The demand for suitably qualified graduates is increasing due to UK and European legislation aimed at greater environmental protection.

There is a particular need for graduates to have field identification skills along with an understanding of conservation as both a branch of applied ecology and as a policy framework for delivering wildlife objectives. This course prepares students for future employment in the variety of conservation roles required by these practical, scientific, administrative and political components.

The programme consists of a taught programme and a dissertation stage that total 180 credits over one year, full time. The taught programme consists of compulsory modules (60 credits) such as Wildlife Conservation: Policy and Practice, Ecosystem Management and Ecological Survey Techniques. In addition, you can select optional modules (40 credits) from:

* Field Identification Skills,
* The Environment Business, and
* Environmental Systems and Modelling.

The majority of taught components in Semester 1 are assessed through examinations, whilst most of Semester 2 modules are assessed through continuous assessment. Following successful completion of the taught programme you will undertake a substantial individual project (80 credits) in which you are expected to develop your practical expertise, knowledge and understanding of a particular habitat or species in the production of a management/action plan. You may be asked to contribute to the cost of essential field classes; some financial assistance may be available.

Contents
Requirements
Funding details
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Course Modules

Compulsory (80 credits)
* ACE8022 : Quantitative Techniques, Experimental Design and Data Analysis
* ACE8024 : Trees : Growth, Management and Environmental Impacts
* ACE8030 : Environmental and Habitat Assessment Field Class
* ACE8041 : Ecosystem Management
* ACE8042 : Wildlife Conservation : Policy and Practice
* ACE8045 : Ecological Survey Techniques
* BIO8002 : Conservation Biology Issues
* BIO2003 : Field Identification Skills

Optional (20 credits)
* ACE8017 Countryside Management
* ACE8020 : Environmental Systems and Modeling
* ACE8021 : Sustainable Development and Environmental Change
* ACE8028 : Environmental Assessment : Land and Water Resources
* BIO8000 : Habitat Mapping and Resource Assessment Using Remote Sensing
* BIO8014 : GIS and Remote Sensing
* GSC8101 : The Environment Business
* MST8007 : Fisheries Resource Assessment and Management

Dissertation (80 credits compulsory)
* ACE8096 : Habitat/ Species Survey/ Management Project

Teaching and Assessment
Most taught modules are worth 10 credits, considered to require a minimum of 100 hours study, although the formal teaching "contact" hours will be much less. Thus, a minimum of 1000 hours study is required to complete the taught part of the programme, a minimum of 800 hours for the MSc project/thesis or 200 hours for the Diploma project/dissertation. Modules vary in their structure. Most are composed of between 11 and 18 one hour lectures and up to 24 hours of practicals, seminars or tutorials. However, some are only composed of lectures, and some are mainly composed of practical work and seminars.

Typically, about one third of the 100 hour allotted study time is spent in formal teaching, leaving the other two thirds for seminar, case study or essay preparation, further study of taught module subjects, library research, writing up lecture notes, etc. However, some are only composed of lectures, and some are mainly composed of practical work and seminars. The laboratory or field work component of modules is usually assessed by reports of submitted assignments. Classes are scheduled between 9.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday and very often you will find that you have to travel from one end of the campus to another to attend your next class!

Students at MSc level will be required to :

* Listen and take notes in lectures but only actively participate in seminars and tutorials;
* Do your own reading around the subject before you arrive at the lecture, tutorial or seminar;
* Be in charge of your own time and learning;
* Work harder;
* Make use of additional study materials provided through Blackboard and the Library.

The taught programme modules can be assessed by more than one method (eg. formal examinations plus continuous assessment). As a whole the MSc course is valued at 180 credits, the taught part of the course accounts for approximately 55% and research project accounts for 45%. The majority of Semester 1 modules are examined by formal assessment and Semester 2 examined by continuous assessment. The Diploma course is valued at 120 credits, the taught part accounting for approximately 83% and the dissertation for 17%.

You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test if you come from a non-English speaking country.

Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.

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Requirements

You should normally have a 2:2, preferably 2:1 or First Class Honours degree in a related science discipline , eg Biology, Zoology, Environmental Science, Physical Geography . Entry for the Diploma is normally an appropriate professional qualification and/or experience.

If your first language is not English you will be expected to provide certified evidence of your achievement of the required level of English for postgraduate study. This means that you are required to achieve an IELTS score of 7.0, or a TOEFL score of more than 575.

Funding details

Students classified as international for fees purposes who have applied for one of our postgraduate taught degree programmes will receive £1500 towards their tuition fees and/or living expenses.

Students classified as Home UK or Home EU for fees purposes who apply for one of our postgraduate taught degree programmes will receive £500 towards their tuition fees and/or living expenses.

The following conditions apply in order to receive a full School Bursary :

All conditions on your offer are met before your arrival,
You accept the offer,
You take up the offer of study and register within the School as a student, and
You register for the full term of your studies.

If you meet all the above noted criteria, half of the bursary funds will be made available to you during the third week of Semester 1 teaching and the remainder of the bursary paid by the start of the third week of teaching in Semester 2. Students registered as part time will receive their funding on a pro rata basis.

For those students who are in receipt of full or partial sponsorship from an external funding body you will be assessed on a case by case basis by the Head of School as to whether or not you are eligible for a School bursary.