Programme Specification for the 2024/5 academic year
MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation | Programme code | PTS1BIOBIOCD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time |
Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Campus(es) | Cornwall Campus |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
This 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 part of taught modules. Overseas travel is possible as part of research project phase.
A distinctive and integral feature of our MSc is the high degree of input from marine vertebrate ecologists and 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:
- ARCHELON
- Beneath the Waves
- British Antarctic Survey
- Blue Ventures
- Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust
- Cornwall Wildlife Trust
- FishTek
- MarAlliance
- Marine Conservation Society
- Marinelife
- Natural England
- Orca
- Pro Delphinus
- Seiche
- Sea Turtle Conservancy
- Seychelles Island Foundation
- The Rockpool Project
- The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
- The Shark Trust
- The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
- Whale and Dolphin Conservation
The programme provides excellent employability training and as with all our MSc degrees, we expect our alumni to move swiftly into careers such as ecological consultancy, government conservation in UK and overseas, NGO conservation in the UK 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 inform our understanding of research-informed frontiers in the science and policy underpinning the ecology and conservation of marine vertebrates.
- a thorough knowledge of the scientific method and the quantitative skills that will prepare you to conduct an independent research programme in marine vertebrate ecology or conservation.
- a scientific, intellectual, and practical training that will enhance your employability and prepare you for autonomous lifelong learning as well as embedded transferable skills.
- The opportunity to experience a supportive learning environment that fosters your academic and personal development.
- Training that allows you to identify and understand problems that relate to the study of marine vertebrate ecology and conservation
- provide you with a thorough understanding of how to conduct an independent research programme.
4. Programme Structure
The MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation programme is a 1-year full-time programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme consists of a single stage. Each stage is normally equivalent to an academic year.
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.
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 |
| BIOM4033 | Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation | 15 | No |
| BIOM4044 | Skills in Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation | 30 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BioP MSc MVEC opt 2024-5 | |||
| BIOM4040 | Fisheries Management | 15 | No |
| BIOM4041 | Protected Areas | 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 new insights in marine vertebrate ecology and conservation, 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. | Key skills: oral presentation, poster presentation, written report. Research project: literature review, project report, project video. 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. |
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. | Key skills: oral presentation, poster presentation, written report. Research project: literature review, project report, project video 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. |
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 based on imperfect 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. | 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. |
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.
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 Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation
19. UCAS Code
Not applicable to this programme.
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 180 |
ECTS credits | 90 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
[Honours] Biosciences
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 20/08/2019 |
Date of last revision | 24/09/2024 |
|---|
