Study information

Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year

MSc Conservation and Biodiversity with International Field Course

1. Programme Details

Programme nameMSc Conservation and Biodiversity with International Field Course Programme codePTS1BIOBIOCI
Study mode(s)Part Time
 Academic year2023/4
Campus(es)Cornwall Campus
 NQF Level of the Final Award7 (Masters)

2. Description of the Programme

This one-year full-time Masters programme is taught at our Penryn Campus by the staff of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation; the fastest growing institute of its kind in the UK.

The programme boasts a significant research component, with substantial fieldwork opportunities on a field course in Africa.

A distinctive and integral feature of our MSc is the high degree of input from conservationists in collaborating governmental and non-governmental organisations. This participation takes a variety of forms, including guest lectures, field visits and specific training courses, but may also include providing research projects in their organisations. Collaborating organisations include: Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Butterfly Conservation, Marine Conservation Society, Natural England, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (links open in new windows).

The programme provides excellent employability, with our alumni moving into careers such as: ecological consultancy, government conservation in UK and overseas, NGO conservation in the UK (Bat Conservation Trust, RSPB, Wildlife Trusts) and overseas and fully funded PhD positions in ecology and conservation.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

This programme aims to:

  • provide you with knowledge and understanding of topics that underpin our understanding of research-informed frontiers in the science and policy underpinning Conservation and Biodiversity.
  • provide you with a thorough knowledge of the scientific method and the quantitative skills that will prepare you to conduct an independent research programme in Conservation and Biodiversity.
  • provide you with a scientific, intellectual, and practical training that will enhance your employability and prepare you for autonomous lifelong learning.
  • enable you to experience a supportive learning environment that fosters your academic and personal development.
  • train you to identify and understand problems that relate to the study of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
  • develop your problem solving ability.
  • provide you with a thorough understanding of how to conduct an independent research programme.

4. Programme Structure

5. Programme Modules

You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

You are also permitted to take the five-credit module LESM910 Professional Development Experience in any year. Registration on this module is subject to a competitive application process. If taken, this module will not count towards progression or award calculation.

Stage 1

165 credits of compulsory modules, 15 credits of optional modules

a You may select only one of BIOM4023 and BIOM4026. If you have mobility or health disabilities and want to undertake fieldwork, then reasonable adjustments and/or alternative assessment can be considered.

Compulsory Modules

a You may select one of BIOM4023 and BIOM4026. If you have mobility or health disabilities and want to undertake fieldwork, then reasonable adjustments and/or alternative assessment can be considered.

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
BIOM4009 Research Project 90Yes
BIOM4025 Statistical Modelling 15No
LESM006 The Art of Science 15No
BIOM4049 Biodiversity and Conservation 15No
BIOM4023 African Biodiversity and Conservation Field Course a30No
BIOM4026 African Conservation Science and Policy Field Course a30No

Optional Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
BIOM4014 Preparing for Ecological Consultancy 15No
BIOM4030 Planning and Leading Conservation Projects 15No
BIOM4031 GIS in Conservation Science 15No
BIOM4050 Marine Protected Areas 15No

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

1. Recount core knowledge, and demonstrate critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in Conservation and Biodiversity, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the field of study
2. Comprehend and define some techniques applicable to research in Conservation and Biodiversity
3. Design and implement a piece of investigative research, summarise and critically analyse resulting data using conventional professional tools and effectively use the conventional formats to report the findings in a research paper and a scientific presentation
4. Demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical comprehension of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline
5. Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline, evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, propose new hypotheses

Lectures, seminars, discussion groups, oral presentations, poster presentations, practical laboratory and field skills, independent reading and synthesis.

ILOs 1-5:

Key skills: oral presentation, poster presentation, written report.

Research project: literature review, project report.

Statistics module: data handling exercises, field data report, discussion sessions.

Subject-specific modules: critical report, presentation, discussion seminars, consultancy reports, behavioural short report, laboratory report, census project, desk study report.

Field course: poster presentation, discussion seminars, written exam.

Research project: literature review, project report, census report.

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

6. Collate and synthesise information from multiple sources
7. Critically evaluate current research in the discipline
8. Within the research project module assessments demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to your research
9. Undertake research in an organised and rigorous manner

Lectures, seminars, discussion groups, oral presentations, poster presentations, practical laboratory and field skills, independent reading and synthesis.

ILOs 6-9:

Key skills: oral presentation, poster presentation, written report.

Research project: literature review, project report.

Statistics module: data handling exercises, field data report, discussion sessions.

Subject-specific modules: critical report, presentation, discussion seminars, consultancy reports, behavioural short report, laboratory report, census project, desk study report.

Field course: poster presentation, discussion seminars, written exam.

Research project: literature review, project report, census report.

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

10. Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate your conclusions effectively and clearly in writing and orally to specialist and non-specialist audiences
11. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level
12. Continue to advance your knowledge and understanding, and develop new skills to a high level
13. Manage deadlines and targets

Lectures, seminars, discussion groups, oral presentations, poster presentations, practical laboratory and field skills, independent reading and synthesis.

ILOs 10-13:

Key skills: oral presentation, poster presentation, written report.

Research project: literature review, project report.

Statistics module: data handling exercises, field data report, discussion sessions.

Subject-specific modules: critical report, presentation, discussion seminars, consultancy reports, behavioural short report, laboratory report, census project, desk study report.

Field course: poster presentation, discussion seminars, written exam.

Research project: literature review, project report, census report.

7. Programme Regulations

Classification

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

You will be located in the Centre for Ecology and Conservation (Penryn campus), where close working relationships are fostered. You can expect reasonable access to all teaching staff through appointments and will in addition receive formative feedback from various discussion groups/in-lecture exercises throughout the delivery of each module and therefore receive essentially continuous feedback during the taught component of the programme. Project supervisors provide academic and tutorial support once you move on to the research component of the programme. In addition, the Programme Director will offerevery student a meeting each term with an academic who provides guidance and feedback on assessment performance. Your progress will be monitored and you can receive up-to-date records of the assessment, achievements and progress at any stage.

All modules will have ELE pages. ELE is the University of Exeter's online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It provides an online set of integrated tools to support e-Learning activities and enables you to access course materials and use tools such as Discussion Forums and Quizzes to interact online.

Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students and staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

10. Admissions Criteria

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

12. Indicators of Quality and Standards

The programme is not subject to accreditation and/ or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).

13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy (ESE)

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Not applicable to this programme

Partner Institution

Not applicable to this programme.

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

0

18. Final Award

MSc Conservation and Biodiversity with International Field Course

19. UCAS Code

Not applicable to this programme.

20. NQF Level of Final Award

7 (Masters)

21. Credit

CATS credits ECTS credits

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

23. Dates

Origin Date

26/10/2006

 Date of last revision

12/05/2021