Masters degrees in Ecosystem Ecology & Land Use provide advanced postgraduate study of how ecosystems benefit humanity, and how we use and manage them. Students learn to tackle questions concerning infrastructure, town planning and development as well as wider conservation issues.
Popular specialisms and related subjects include Ecosystem Services, Forest Science Ecosystem Management and Wildlife Cnservation. Entry requirements normally include an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject.
Ecosystems have declined more rapidly and extensively over the past 50 years than during any other comparable time in human history. At the same time the world population is projected to rise to nine billion by 2050 and such an increase may inevitably lead to an increased degradation of the natural environment and the ecosystem services which it provides.
The overarching global concerns of climate change, loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, food security and poverty alleviation need to be encompassed in management strategies which require a multi-disciplinary approach. This course seeks to provide training for those working in or seeking to work in the landscape and environmental management sector: The cross discipline nature of the course with an emphasis on environmental sustainability and human well-being reflects current national and international thinking.
The clear directive is to prepare the next generation of postgraduate students with the appropriate knowledge and skills to operate effectively in a multidisciplinary working environment. This new course will embrace the principles and values presented in both global and national policy and guidelines and takes on board the concept of “think globally, act locally”.
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates will be able to go into positions such as a Land Management and Planning Officer, Biosphere Development Officer, Community Projects Officer, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Design and Planning, Land Use Policy Officer, Green Infrastructure/Open Spaces Strategy Manager, Sustainability Education Officer or Land Management Consultant
now available for students with Italian qualifications - check at http://www.unipd.it/en/forest-science
Deadline for application September 28, 2017
Forest Science is a 2-year Master programme (120 ECTS, equivalent to a Master of Science) providing interdisciplinary holistic and innovative forest education focused on sustainable management and conservation of forest and natural resources
The programme covers a wide range of subjects. Key course topics are forests and forest ecology, silviculture, sustainable forest management, climate change mitigation, water regulation and related management issues, conservation and management of biodiversity and other ecosystem services, sustainable forest operations, natural hazards, pest management principles and techniques, forest economics and policy, forest governance analysis and conflict management techniques.
Forest Science has close links with other international Forest Schools as well as with international forest and environmental organizations like FAO, EFI, WWF and CIFOR, IUCN and IUFRO. Staff of these institutions and organisations make regular contribution to the course, especially supporting the preparation of thesis work.
The programme participates to three Erasmus Mundus Consortia for Master degrees, namely SUTROFOR, SUFONAMA and MEDfOR, respectively on management of tropical, temperate and Mediterranean forests.
The programme is completely taught in English.
Forest Science offers two different specialization paths.
This curriculum forms specialists in sustainable management, conservation and integrated valorization of forests and natural resources. Students acquire awareness and understanding of the functioning of forest ecosystems and skills for the sustainable management of forests and rural landscape, especially in mountainous Alpine and Mediterranean contexts.
This curriculum forms specialists in the governance of forests and natural ecosystems in the context of issues such as climate change, deforestation, land use change and biodiversity conservation. Students acquire awareness and understanding of complex socio-ecological systems and skills for identifying innovative solutions for responsible forest management in line with the major global environmental issues.
In both curricula, the scientific and technical knowledge are complemented by of statistics, GIS and other mapping techniques, research and project management methods, and by development and enhancement of soft skills such as communication skills and group work capacity.
An opportunity for the students of the two curricula to meet and bridge their learning experience is the Joint Summer Module, an interdisciplinary field activity of 1-2 weeks in Italy or abroad, taking place in the summer between the first and the second year, during which students have also the chance to discuss about forest management and forest policy with various stakeholders of the forest and wood sector.
Visit the MSc “Forest Science” page on the Università di Padova web-site (http://www.agrariamedicinaveterinaria.unipd.it/en/forest-science-1) for more details.
Teaching takes place in an international environment and is based on class engagement, problem-solving approach and case study assessment.
Lectures, seminars and independent learning are supported by field practicals, laboratory work and forest visits.
Examinations are written or oral and assess students’ participation also through reports, presentations, and group work.
The course is intended for highly-motivated national and international students and is conceived for Bachelor graduates with a main interest in responsible forest management and environmental governance in mountainous Alpine and Mediterranean forests. The programme caters for students from a variety of backgrounds, from forestry, agriculture and biology to environmental sciences.
A Forest Science graduated will find career opportunities in public and private institutions, agencies, Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations working as planner, designing, manager and supervisor in the field of sustainable and responsible management of forests, natural and semi-natural habitats, land management and protection, landscape management, use and valorisation of forest resources and ecosystems services nationally or internationally. In addition, this high profile education facilitates access to basic or applied research or to doctoral programmes in Italy or abroad.
The University of Padova, the Veneto Region and other organisations offer various scholarship schemes to support students. Below is a list of the funding opportunities that are most often used by international students in Padova.
You can find more information below and on our website here: http://www.unipd.it/en/studying-padova/funding-and-fees/scholarships
You can find more information on fee waivers here: http://www.unipd.it/en/fee-waivers
The need for sustainable development is a global concern. This flexible Masters degree prepares you to address the challenges faced in safeguarding natural resources, livelihoods and the alleviation of development problems. The focus is on societies undergoing change or faced with resource pressures, in developing and developed countries.
This programme is ideal if you want a career in international development or in an environmental field, in the private, public, or not-for-profit sectors. It can be taken as an MA or MSc depending on your dissertation topic.
You will be based within one of the largest groups of geographers, resource management specialists and environmental scientists in the UK and modules will be taught by world-leading researchers. Their expertise includes mining and extractive industries; livelihoods and moral economies; the politics of land, water, and ‘green’ grabbing; environmental justice and the relationship between climate change and existing social inequalities; migration; food security and agri-food systems including fishing and marine ecosystems; forest policy; sustainable transport; poverty and service delivery; the political economy of global environmental change; the workings of international development; trade (legal and illegal), and biodiversity conservation.
You will complete six taught modules and a dissertation research project, with individual supervision from a research-active expert. There are two or three core modules which give you a solid foundation in the key theoretical issues around the environment and development and you will develop the social science research skills needed to explore them.
We offer great flexibility with over 30 modules to choose from, spanning the social and natural sciences. This enables you to construct a degree that fits your interests and career ambitions and to put your learning in a wider cultural context.
You can gain key practical skills that are valued by employers, such as environmental analysis of development projects, data analysis and programming, geo-informatics and auditing. There are opportunities to gain work experience through one of our many government, civil society and private sector partners – including those in Asia, Africa, Oceania and South America.
Your dissertation project forms a substantial part of your Masters degree. It will enhance your practical and analytical skills and give you the opportunity to apply your learning to a real-world challenge. Dissertation topics are available in both environmental and development themes: our research projects and partners across the globe provide exciting possibilities and fieldwork opportunities when you are choosing your dissertation topic. Most dissertations are anchored in the social sciences but this is not a requirement.
Examples of previous dissertation topics are:
You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.
Core
Optional
Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research.
Coursework, presentations, examinations and dissertation
Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology gives you the skills and knowledge to understand environmental and other impacts to fish ecology and aquaculture applied to fisheries industries and management. The programme is relevant internationally to major areas of fisheries industries around the Scottish mainland and islands with a need to help to manage and maintain the industry in the short term and long term. There are many new industries within Scotland and established industries which supply mainstream supermarkets and specialist retailers with fish supplies on a regular basis and which need to be managed. Many of these industries are global or specific to the geographical area and type of fish available in that vicinity.
Run in collaboration with staff at Marine Scotland Science, this MSc programme will provide you with an appreciation of the key issues that are central to the management of marine resources, practical skills and field work experience that you can apply to real world situations, and opportunities to expand your professional network.
Semester 1
Optional
Semester 2
Compulsory
Optional
Semester 3
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
Find out about international fees:
Find out more about fees on the programme page
*Please be advised that some programmes also have additional costs.
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page
Find out more about:
Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs
The MRes Wildlife Conservation research masters degree is an exciting addition to our portfolio of programmes, designed for graduates of biology, zoology, ecology and other relevant biological or ecological disciplines. It offers you the chance to build on the background of your undergraduate degree, while allowing you to develop within the field of wildlife conservation.
This is the course page for MRes Wildlife Conservation at the University of Southampton. Find out everything about Wildlife Conservation and what studying here involves.
In this course page we explain a range of key information about the course. This includes typical entry requirements, modules you can take and how assessment works. We also suggest career opportunities open to you as a University of Southampton graduate of MRes Wildlife Conservation.
If you still have questions, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to answer any enquiries. See our contact us page for our telephone, email and address information.
Please note: This programme is currently undergoing its five year review. There may be some slight changes to the programme which will be implemented from September 2018. This process should be completed in early 2018. We therefore advise that applications are made after this date, so that you are fully informed when making your application. We will shortly welcome our fifth intake of students and any changes made to the programme will be informed by our experiences from the previous five cohorts, of course including student feedback.
This Wildlife Conservation Masters course is jointly delivered as a collaborative programme with Marwell Wildlife. It offers an unusually high degree of interaction between the University and an action-oriented Conservation organisation. The aim of this MRes is to produce individuals with the skills, experience and academic credentials required for a career in Conservation biology.
In order to provide an immersive experience for students and to ensure we have the scope to cover all that the MRes encompasses, the course is based on a full calendar year, running from the start of Semester one (October-Jan), through semester two (Feb-June), and beyond, right up until late September. The MRes is a full-time course only, with no provision for a part-time option at this time.
View the programme specification document for this course
This MRes allows those with career aspirations within conservation to enhance their prospects in a number of ways. You will develop your academic credentials and your practical skills, jointly, without having to choose to invest in one route or the other. You will be exposed to, and have the opportunity to work alongside, practicing conservation biologists, providing you with valuable experience and insight into the realities of working in conservation. By undertaking an in-depth 8 month research project you will develop some specialist knowledge within your area of interest, and be exposed to a wider network of conservation biologists and other industry professionals working for organizations that collaborate with Marwell Wildlife (for example, European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, Kenya Wildlife Service, Natural England). This wide range of experience, and any contacts within the conservation network you have made, will assist you when applying for positions within conservation NGOs and wildlife focused government agencies.
Additionally, graduates will find the MRes programme an excellent way to prepare for a PhD in conservation science as you will gain experience of undertaking postgraduate research, as well as having the opportunity to begin developing your own specialist area of study, off the back of your 8 month in-depth research project . Students should note that the research undertaken for the MRes Project would be independent of research for a PhD.
This programme is delivered jointly by the School and the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). It addresses a broad range of topics under the One Health paradigm and provides a foundation in the principles of diseases in the context of sociological systems, global health and food safety. Students develop skills related to methodology, transdisciplinary interactions and using a systems approach.
This course is also available as a Postgraduate Diploma
Graduates from this programme will have the knowledge and skills provided by experienced scientists in order to be able to respond rapidly and effectively to outbreaks of disease as well as controlling endemic disease at the interface between humans, animals and the environment.
Visit the website https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/masters/one-health
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- understand the One Health concept and approach problem solving using a transdisciplinary methodology
- understand the origin, context and drivers of infectious disease at the human, animal and environment interface
- evaluate impacts of multi-host infections on human, animal and ecosystem health and economics directly, or indirectly via food, vectors or the environment
- develop a One Health systems approach to complex disease issues in monitoring, surveillance, diagnosis, prevention and control
- critically review published literature
- design and complete a research project (MSc only)
Term 1:
There is a one-week orientation period that includes an introduction to studying at the School and the Royal Veterinary College, followed by four compulsory modules:
- Foundations of One Health
- Introduction to Disease Agents for One Health
- Infectious Disease Emergence
- Introduction to One Health Epidemiology
Terms 2 and 3:
All students take three compulsory modules:
- One Health Economics
- One Health Skills
- Medical Anthropology and Public Health
In addition, students choose a fourth module from the following:
- Vector Biology and Vector-Parastite Interactions
- Environmental Epidemiology
- Epidemiology and Control of Communicable Diseases
- Globalisation and Health
Project report (MSc only):
During the summer months (July - August), students complete a research project on a topic in one health, for submission by early September.
Assessment:
Assessment takes place by eight end-of-module examinations, in-course assignments and by project report and an oral examination.
Undergraduate medical students can take a year out either to pursue related studies or work. The School welcomes applications from medical students wishing to intercalate after their third year of study from any recognised university in the world.
Why intercalate with us?:
Reputation: The School has an outstanding international reputation in public health & tropical medicine and is at the forefront of global health research. It is highly rated in a number of world rankings including:
- World’s leading research-focused graduate school (Times Higher Education World Rankings, 2013)
- Third in the world for social science and public health (US News Best Global Universities Ranking, 2014)
- Second in UK for research impact (Research Exercise Framework 2014)
- Top in Europe for impact (Leiden Ranking, 2015)
Highly recognised qualification: possessing a Master's from the School will give you a focused understanding of health and disease, broaden your career prospects and allow you to be immersed in research in a field of your choice.
Valuable skills: you will undertake an independent research project (summer project) in your chosen topic, equipping you with research skills that will distinguish you in a clinical environment. While your medical qualification will give you a breadth of knowledge; undertaking an intercalated degree will allow you to explore your main area of interest in greater depth.
Alumni network: the School has a strong international and diverse alumni community, with more than 20,000 alumni in over 180 countries.
MSc vs. BSc: undertaking an MSc is an excellent opportunity to develop in-depth specialist knowledge in your chosen topic and enhance your skills in scientific research. Postgraduate qualifications are increasingly sought after by clinicians and possessing a Masters qualification can assist you in your future career progression.
Find out how to apply here - http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/masters/onehealth.html#sixth
The flexible Master of Research (MRes) in Advanced Biological Sciences degree from Southampton offers graduates the opportunity to develop their knowledge and practical skills in an area of Biological Sciences of their choice. The one-year course, tailored to your particular interests, is a stepping stone to further study at PhD level or a gateway to many careers in industry (e.g agriculture, pharmaceutical and the healthcare sector), scientific services, science communication, the teaching profession or in scientific policymaking.
This is the course page for MRes in Advanced Biological Sciences degree at the University of Southampton. Find out everything about in Advanced Biological Sciences degree and what studying here involves.
In this course page we explain a range of key information about the course. This includes typical entry requirements, modules you can take and how assessment works. We also suggest career opportunities open to you as a University of Southampton graduate of MRes in Advanced Biological Sciences degree.
If you still have questions, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to answer any enquiries. See our contact us page for our telephone, email and address information.
This new course has at its core four taught modules at postgraduate level to enable you to broaden your scientific knowledge in your chosen area and enhance your hands-on skills in research, presentations and scientific communication. In addition, there is a novel independent research project in the University of Southampton’s modern Life Sciences research laboratories, supervised by a leading academic in the specialism. The transferable skills you gain will be invaluable later in your career whether you are aiming for academia, industry or non-traditional science careers.
We offer MRes courses in Biological Sciences with a focus in one of the following research areas:
View the programme specification document for this full time course
View the programme specification for this part time course
Humans are dependent on and live in close proximity with their livestock and the interfaces of livestock with wildlife are permeable and complex. This programme addresses a clear need to integrate ecological disciplines with studies of disease in wildlife, livestock and human populations, with concepts of land management, livestock production and wildlife management.
The aims of the programme are to
This programme will suit students who need to broaden their knowledge and skills to improve their employability in organisations that have a mandate to provide services to diverse stakeholders in complex systems. Veterinarians in government agencies with wide ranging responsibilities, in conservation organisations and NGOs would find this particularly useful. Similarly, conservation biologists who have little or no familiarity with livestock production or animal health will benefit.
Communities and Ecosystems deals with the ecology of units of interacting individuals, in populations, communities and ecosystems. The biodiversity is analysed and functionally related to the hydrology, nutritional status and landscape configuration of the ecosystem. Ecogenomics tools are applied to obtain information on unknown components such as microbial composition or evolutionary history of populations. This information together gives insight in how different communities (plants, animals, micro-organisms) within an ecosystem are interrelated and interdependent, and how they determine the resilience of the community to environmental stress. This fundamental knowledge is applied in proven applications in nature and water management.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/biology/ecosystems
1. A completed Bachelor's degree in Biology or related area
2. Proficiency in English
In order to take part in this programme, you need to have fluency in both written and spoken English. Non-native speakers of English without a Dutch Bachelor's degree or VWO diploma need one of the following:
-A TOEFL score of >575 (paper based) or >232 (computer based) or >90(internet based)
- A IELTS score of >6.5
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), with a mark of C or higher
This programme provides you with the qualifications you need to start working on your PhD and in the field of communication, business and management or education. Biologists often continue their research careers in universities, research institutes, pharmaceutical companies and public health authorities. On graduation, our students very quickly take up positions as researchers or analysts in government departments, research organisations and medical or pharmaceutical companies.
What biologists do:
- Researchers at universities or in companies
- Supervisors of clinical trials
- Consultants
- Lecturers
- Policy coordinators
- Teachers
Where biologists work:
- Research/education
- Health care
- Business services
- Industry
- Government
- Trade
Communities and Ecosystems deals with the ecology of units of interacting individuals, in populations, communities and ecosystems. The biodiversity is analysed and functionally related to the hydrology, nutritional status and landscape configuration of the ecosystem. Ecogenomics tools are applied to obtain information on unknown components such as microbial composition or evolutionary history of populations. This information together gives insight in how different communities (plants, animals, micro-organisms) within an ecosystem are interrelated and interdependent, and how they determine the resilience of the community to environmental stress. This fundamental knowledge is applied in proven applications in nature and water management.
- Rich programme
This M.Sc. programme not only puts the interactions between organisms into context, it also integrates all levels of organisation from the molecule and the cell up to ecosystems and the landscape. This combination of experience results in a rich and coherent MSc. programme of Master's courses and exciting internships with state-of-the-art research. It prepares you for a career in science, both fundamental and applied, but also provides the necessary knowledge for innovative evidence-based applications in nature and water management.
- Personal tutor
Our top scientist are looking forward to take you with them on a challenging and inspiring scientific journey. This programme offers you many opportunities to follow your own interests under the guidance of a personal tutor. Radboud University offers you a multitude of research fields to choose from in close collaboration with the
- Academic hospital UMCN St. Radboud;
- Institute for Water and Wetlands Research;
- Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences;
- Donders Institute.
This allows you to specialise in a field of personal interest.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/biology/ecosystems
If you want to make a difference to climate change, you want to regulate from government or government agencies, provide consultancy advice or you simply enjoy the natural environment and you want as much of it preserved as possible and you want to learn how to manage it effectively for future generations, Environmental Management offers an excellent range of advanced assessment theory and practise. You learn how to manage the environment, land use and its challenges, and you learn the various pollutant testing skills and knowledge to help you determine how best remediate. Environment Managers are involved in all types of land use which include onshore and offshore regulation, planning and development control, waterways management, soil management and the various analysis tools which are accepted as calibrated and effective in giving correct indications of pollution to ensure companies remain compliant with the legal obligations.
There is often a conflict between land use and its protection. We now live in a world where air pollution is at record levels, population determines that we need clever ways to manage life and work, and land use planning is often at odds with natural flood prevention measures. The role of Environment Managers plays a critical role in determining our future generations and how they will live and interact with earth by ensuring the best possible outcomes in terms of regulation, negotiation and improvements to quality of life from the natural environment. You study pollution, resource management, catchment management EIA (Environmental Impact Assessments). Work can include consultancy, regulators and NGOs.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
Find out about international fees:
Find out more about fees on the programme page
*Please be advised that some programmes also have additional costs.
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page and the latest postgraduate opportunities
Find out more about:
Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs
Department of Life Sciences – a leading international centre for research and training in ecology, evolution, conservation and the environment
