Programme Specification for the 2024/5 academic year
MSc Conservation and Biodiversity with UK Field Course
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MSc Conservation and Biodiversity with UK Field Course | Programme code | PTS1BIOBIOCF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Part Time |
Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Campus(es) | Cornwall Campus |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (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 in the UK as well as 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
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
Stage 1
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
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.
If you have mobility or health disabilities that prevent you from undertaking intensive fieldwork, reasonable adjustments and/or alternative assessment can be considered. This could include replacing a fieldwork module with an alternative in agreement with the Director of Education.
150 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules:
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOM4009 | Research Project | 90 | Yes |
| BIOM4025 | Statistical Modelling | 15 | No |
| BIOM4049 | Biodiversity and Conservation | 15 | No |
| BIOM4043 | Rewilding the United Kingdom | 30 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BioP MSc C&B opt 2024-5 | |||
| BIOM4014 | Preparing for Ecological Consultancy | 15 | No |
| BIOM4051 | GIS in Ecology and Conservation | 15 | No |
| BIOM421 | Conservation Practice and Evidence | 15 | No |
| BIOM422 | Animal Behaviour and Global Challenges | 15 | No |
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 | 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 | 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 | 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
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
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
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
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 UK 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 | 24/09/2024 |
|---|
