Ecology and Conservation MRes

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Course structure

The Ecology and Conservation MRes is typically completed as a full-time, one-year degree. To be awarded the MRes, you must obtain 180 M-level credits, 40 credits from taught and subject-specific modules and 140 credits through the completion of the research project.

The research project is central to the master's course and allows you to work at the forefront of the discipline as you advance your knowledge of research methods and ecological principles. You design your own project under the supervision of one or more members of the ecosystems and environmental management research group.

A taught module completes the core elements of the course, plus you'll choose option modules in topics that support your interests and career aspirations.

Syllabus

Modules

Core modules

• Issues in Ecology and Conservation

  This module has a journal club format and provides an in-depth critical exploration of some of the key issues and current global challenges facing species, habitats and ecosystems. You will examine the ecological and environmental factors that impact biodiversity and critically evaluate the effectiveness of conservation strategies in mitigating these impacts. With emphasis placed on providing an interactive learning experience, each week will focus on a different topic.

• MRes Research Project

  During this module you will carry out a detailed independent investigative research project within a relevant academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice. You will develop advanced skills in project planning, data generation and analysis, critical analysis of scientific literature, and written and oral presentation to the expected level of a professional scientist.

Options*

• Ecology and Conservation in Practice (Work Placement)

  This Ecology and Conservation in Practice (Work Placement) module gives you the opportunity to engage with not for profit and/or community-based organisations by working a minimum of 65 hours in a voluntary placement. During the placement you will develop your competencies, skills, network and experiential learning by gaining work-related experience in professionally relevant fields. The work placement will support your career development and enhance your experience.

• Introduction to Geographical Information Systems

  This introductory course to Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is for both newcomers to the field and existing practitioners. The module will give you a theoretical and practical understanding of GIS concepts, technical issues and applications using GIS software. You will develop spatial and digital computing, data handling and problem-solving skills and apply these to the identification and examination of geographical and wider environmental issues.

• Environmental Impact Assessment

  This module will examine the principles behind, and the practice of, environmental impact assessment (EIA). You will study the development of EIA and its integration into EU and UK law, and the relationship between EIA and sustainable development. You’ll also explore the importance of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and the effects that it may have on UK and EU environmental management. The module will use case studies to provide local and national examples of environmental statements and discuss the importance of quality and review.

• Case Studies in Environmental Assessment and Management

  This module gives you a core understanding of contemporary environmental management issues. It will assess the global mega trends driving the need for environmental management, including climate change and biodiversity loss, and cover concepts and policy interventions to address these challenges. The module includes case studies that critically evaluate how environmental management is being addressed from policy through to project level, including waste management, food supply, coastal environmental management, sustainable business models and energy.

• Plant and Invertebrate Taxonomy

  This practical module provides you with advanced knowledge of the diagnostic features of important UK invertebrate and plant families. You will become familiar with key taxonomic groups and competent in the use of identification keys across specialist taxonomic groups. The module aims to consolidate identification of plant species, focusing on common Eudicots families and Poaceae, and further your classification and identification skills for invertebrate taxa (molluscs and arthropods).

• Microbiology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Remediation

  This module provides an integrated approach to the study of key issues in ecotoxicology and environmental microbiology. You will explore a range of contemporary issues concerning biodegradation, food contamination, water quality, environmental health, bioremediation and current environmental legislation. You’ll look at the key concepts around the safe consumption of food and water and the biological responses to environmental stressors and microbial pollution events.

• Applications in GIS

  Application in GIS is a follow-on course to help you develop skills around spatial and digital computing, data handling and problem solving. You will use the skills learnt in module GYM01 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems to identify and examine geographical and wider environmental issues. Case study topics include suitability modelling using raster-based Boolean approaches; data acquisition using GPS and Differential-GPS; and development of GIS-based decision support systems.

• Applied Remote Sensing

  On this module you will learn how to acquire, verify and apply remotely sensed digital image data. Using a hands-on approach, you'll use these skills to investigate geographical and wider environmental issues. The module includes contributions from external contributors from both industry and academia.

• Water Quality Assessment and Management

  This module introduces you to water quality assessment and management, teaching you skills related to field and laboratory experimental design, measurement of water quality, data analysis, interpretation of results and reporting to specialist/non-specialist audiences. It will provide you with experience in the management and presentation of large datasets and you will explore the roles of water safety planning, risk assessment, nature-based management and water treatment. You will also undertake analysis of water samples in the Centre for Aquatic Environments lab.

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

Past projects

Projects undertake by our students have included:

• pollinator conservation and the value of domestic gardens
• social interactions of urban foxes in Brighton & Hove
• habitat use of the northern clade pool frog at their reintroduction site in Norfolk, UK

• protozoan parasites of bivalve molluscs: appearance and spread of diseases among bivalve molluscs in relation to climate change
• the impact of dry heathland management techniques on vegetation composition and Coleoptera abundance, species richness and diversity.

Staff profile

Dr Inga Zeisset, course leader

“I completed my PhD on the molecular ecology of north European water frogs at the University of Sussex in 2001 and subsequently worked for over ten years as a postdoctoral researcher in the UK and Denmark before joining the University of Brighton in 2013 as a lecturer.

"My research mainly focuses on phylogeography and population genetics. Objectives of my research include developing an understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms generating population structure and how environmental change, such as habitat modification, degradation, loss and fragmentation, affects the genetic diversity and fitness of populations.

"The main research themes I am developing are wildlife conservation genetics, understanding species distributions, adaptive genetic variation and assessment of biodiversity using molecular tools.”

View the full staff profile for Dr Inga Zeisset.

Course team and their research interests

• Dr Maureen Berg Habitat ecology, restoration and management, and plant community dynamics
• Dr Corina Ciocan Aquatic toxicology, biological responses in marine organisms and biomedicine-harnessing marine life for new active compounds
• Dr Neil Crooks Ecology of marine and freshwater organisms
• Dr Angelo Pernetta Herpetology, population genetics and conservation
• Dr Anja Rott Ecological entomology, pollination ecology as well community ecology in regard to land management and conservation
• Dr Bryony Tolhurst Vertebrate ecology and applied behavioural ecology of mammals and birds in human modified landscapes
• Dr Rachel White Ornithology, ecology and conservation science.

Facilities

You have access to our labs and facilities to support your research, including: 

• DanioVision behavioural observation chamber 
• Molecular ecology lab with PCR facilities 
• Tissues culture lab
• Soil analysis lab
• Electron microscopy suite
• Electro fishing equipment
• Radio collars for mammal tracking
• Specialist image analysis, and data analysis, software.

Course fees

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Local area

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Support and wellbeing

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