Ecology MRes (PGCert PGDip)

Overview

This degree provides an opportunity to develop expertise in both ecological theory and research. Based in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences and working with academic staff from the university's biogeography and ecology group, students have the opportunity to obtain experience in a wide range of modern research techniques relating to ecology. Drawing on the expertise of members within the research group, students are able to undertake a significant piece of ecological research on a wide range of biological taxa including invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and plants. With an emphasis placed on undertaking novel ecological research, this degree offers an excellent preparation for both further academic study and industry-based careers.

Course duration
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 2 years
Course content

Areas of study

The Ecology MRes is typically completed as a full-time, one-year degree by research. Central to this is the research project (100 credits), which provides you with the opportunity to undertake research at the forefront of the ecology discipline. Students design their own projects under the supervision of one or more relevant members of academic staff from the Biogeography and Ecology Research Group. This process is driven by the knowledge that you will gain during the two compulsory taught modules (Research Methods and Ecological Principles; 20 credits each) and supplemented by your choice of optional modules (a total of 40 credits).
Research themes of the group include:
- landscape ecology
- molecular ecology
- conservation biology
- carnivore ecology, conflict and conservation
- plant-insect interactions and invertebrate ecology
- chalk grasslands ecology
- wetland ecology.
Bursaries available for 2012
Students considering applying for the MRes programme in this coming academic year (October 2012) also have the opportunity to undertake specific research projects on the following two topics:
1. Herbivorous insect community on oaks: impact of phenology on population dynamics.
2. Factors influencing the abundance and distribution of the snake's head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) at multiple spatial scales.
Successful applicants for these particular projects will be awarded a bursary worth 50% of home/EU fees.
For more information on these projects please contact the postgraduate course administrator at: pabs@brighton.ac.uk. Please ensure when you apply for the above projects, you indicate which one, or more, you wish to be considered for. Applications for bursaries require an application, recent CV and a cover letter to explain why you are applying for the project.
The deadline for applying for 2012 entry and bursary funded projects is July 31 2012.
For further details on recent and current research projects please see the Biogeography and Ecology Research group website: http://www.brighton.ac.uk/pharmacy/research/groups/biogeography_ecology.php

Syllabus

Research Project
Research Methods
Ecological Principles
Options
Ecology Field Skills
Molecular Ecology
Introduction to GIS
GIS in Environmental Applications
Water Quality Analysis
Work-in-progress seminars
Introduction to Statistics using Excel and Minitab
Advanced Statistical Analysis
Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements
individual offers may vary
For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 6.5 overall and 6.0 in writing.
Degree and/or experience:
Normally, a good first degree (upper second class honours) in a relevant scientific discipline (eg ecology, environmental science, biology, zoology). Students with degrees that do not fall into this category, but have significant relevant experience, will also be considered.
Location

Location Moulsecoomb
Career opportunities

Graduates from this course will be thoroughly equipped to enter a PhD programme in ecological science, as well as careers in industry and the public sector. The MRes provides a well-rounded, practical research-based training, plus the necessary transferable skills to prepare graduates for employment.

Visit the careers centre website.
Fees and costs

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study.

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take. Different rules apply to research degrees - please contact the Doctoral College for advice.

To help you plan for your time here we will be providing further information about what is included in your tuition fee, and any optional costs you may need to budget for, later in the autumn.

Our website wwww.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

Ecology (MRes) (Full time) [P3BC004]

UK/EU (Full Time) 4,320 GBP
Island Students (Full Time) 8,925 GBP
International (Full Time) 12,750 GBP
More details
Apply online
You should not apply unless you can meet all the entry requirements for this course. Please contact the course team before applying if you are unsure about any of the specific entry requirements.

Entry requirements
For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 6.5 overall and 6.0 in writing.
Degree and/or experience:
Normally, a good first degree (upper second class honours) in a relevant scientific discipline (eg ecology, environmental science, biology, zoology). Students with degrees that do not fall into this category, but have significant relevant experience, will also be considered.
- Ecology (MRes) (Full time)
- Ecology (MRes) (Part time)