Ecology and Conservation MSci

Course structure

Over the course of your degree, you will study core themes in ecology, evolution and diversity, leading to applied elements of ecology such as wildlife conservation and habitat and species techniques. In the final year you will have the opportunity to undertake a research project and develop an area of specialism of your choice.

You will learn through lectures, fieldwork, group work, laboratory classes and independent study. Assessment involves the use of essays, exams, oral presentations and problem-based exercises, which can vary depending on which options you choose.

The course offers a number of field trips to complement your university-based study, including an optional trip to South Africa. Fieldwork is used to contextualise the taught material through real-world activities and provide valuable practical experience.

Our expert staff will support your subject-specific knowledge development and teach you the research, technical, practical and transferable skills that you need to maximise your career prospects. 

Year 1

You will explore the foundations of ecology covering skills for bioscientists, genetics and molecular biology, ecology and conservation, terrestrial ecosystems, and diversity of life. You can also choose from topics such as marine biology, global environmental issues and physical geography.

Modules

Core modules

• Essential Skills for Bioscientists

  This module will introduce you to the principles of the scientific method and a variety of study and communication skills that you’ll need utilise and develop during your degree. You’ll develop mathematical and statistical skills and apply them in the context of bioscientific data presentation and interpretation.

• Introduction to Genetics and Molecular Biology

  This module will provide you with a conceptual and procedural understanding of the modern evolutionary synthesis of natural selection, Mendelian inheritance and population genetics culminating in the emergence of modern molecular biology. The recognition of DNA as the archetypical material responsible for information transfer, the discovery of the mechanisms of information flow in biological systems (eg. transcription and translation) and the development and application of modern recombinant DNA techniques are also studied.

• Diversity of Life

  This module will provide an integrated approach to the study of living organisms. Beginning with a study of taxonomic principles, you will explore the cell biology of selected examples of microbes, plants and animals, focussing on cell structure and organisation. Key aspects will be emphasised using practical and field exercises.

• Introduction to Ecology and Conservation

  This module will introduce you to key concepts and principles in both ecology and conservation science - illustrated with the use of both classic and cutting-edge case studies.

  Emphasis is placed on the links between ecology and conservation and also between theory and applied research.

• Terrestrial Ecosystems

  This module will introduce you to major terrestrial natural and semi-natural habitats, covering key ecological and biological processes that structure these systems. You will reflect on the conservation challenges and management strategies currently used to maintain and/or restore theses habitats. This module will also introduce you to a range of field-based techniques during field trips and local site visits.

Options*

• Introduction to Marine Biology and Ecology

  This module will provide an overview of the major taxa of marine organisms, their diversity, ecology, biology and evolutionary relationship. Origin of life, evolution of marine life, living fossils and specific adaptations to marine habitats will be highlighted. The module will also introduce you to the biogeochemical processes that operate within the marine environment and how this relates to the ecology of oceans.

• The Earth and Ocean System

  In this module you will explore and discuss the four ‘spheres’ of the Earth system: the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere, and how they interact to produce the stratigraphic record of Earth history.

• Global Environmental Issues

  This module will introduce you to a range of pressing global environmental issues which are explored from both natural science and social science angles, via a range of case studies. The module focuses on scientific, social, economic and political aspects of current and past environmental issues and explores how some of the issues may be addressed through interdisciplinary management and mitigation. Workshop sessions involving targeted pre-reading and small group working will take place at specific intervals.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Year 2 

In your second year you will cover research skills, professional development, physiology of organisms, managing populations in ecology and conservation, marine and freshwater ecosystems and a fieldtrip to Portugal. You can also choose from a range of options including fieldwork in South Africa.

Modules

• Research Skills and Professional Development
• Behavioural and Evolutionary Biology
• Physiology of Organisms
• Managing Populations in Ecology and Conservation
• Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems

Options*

• Biology International Field Course
• Paleoenvironments
• Human Evolution
• Environmental Pollution
• Climate Change
• GIS and Remote Sensing

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Placement year 

A placement year is a great opportunity to gain valuable work experience, explore a potential specialism and develop your skills, enhancing your CV.

Our students have been on placement in organisations including the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.

Year 3

You will study species interactions, ecological impact assessment, hot topics in ecology and conservation, and undertake an ecology research project. Option modules enable you to choose the subjects that interest you most, and you may also have the opportunity of fieldwork in Brazil.

Modules

• Ecology Project
• Species Interactions
• Ecological Impact Assessment 
• Hot Topics in Ecology and Conservation

Options*

• Current Topics in Marine Biology
• Water, Sanitation and Health
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Atmospheric Environment
• Waste Management and the Circular Economy
• Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing
• Research Field Skills, Brazil

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Final year

The focus of your final year is an in-depth research project, working with an academic expert. 

You will further explore the issues of ecology and conservation, advanced taxonomy and survey skills, and choose an option module in an area of interest.

Modules

• Research Project
• Issues in Ecology and Conservation
• Advanced Taxonomy and Survey Skills

Options*

• Ecology and Conservation in Practice (placement)
• Microbiology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Remediation
• Controversies in Science
• Introduction to Geographical Information Systems
• Applications in Geographical Information Systems
• Water Quality Analysis
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Case Studies in Environment Assessment and Management

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Facilities

Our facilities include a dedicated microbiology lab with its own technical support team and preparation area, primary cell/tissue and secondary cell culture facility, molecular biology lab with access to RT-PCR equipment and an Image Analysis Suite that houses electron microscopes, a confocal microscope and atomic force microscopes.

You will also benefit from access to a genomics/proteomics facility, allowing for analysis of cell genes and proteins.

Click to view a virtual tour of some of our biosciences facilities. 

International requirements

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Course fees

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

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-time 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.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with us for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly. You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Moulsecoomb campus map