Masters degrees in Population Ecology administer postgraduate training in the various dynamics of species populations, including trophic interactions (food resources), demographics, spatial processes, and causes of extinction.
Popular specialisms and related subjects include Population Biology, Evolutionary Genetics and branches of Anthropology. Entry requirements normally include an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject such as Biology or Environmental Science.
Programmes in this field are highly varied. For example, you may wish to focus specifically on human population and demographics, scrutinising how to manage issues such as population growth. You might also consider the environmental, economic, political and global implications for both developing and developed countries.
On the other hand, you may wish to specialise in any number of animal populations, analysing migration patterns and undertaking Population Viability Analysis (PVA) to predict the long-term prevalence of a species within a given habitat. Most programmes offer a combination of laboratory-based research with vocational fieldwork, as well as placements in some cases.
Careers may include roles within public policy for the government and governing bodies, consultancy within private agencies and NGOs such as charities, or further research or careers in academia following a PhD.
