MSc Conservation Science

Stage 1

• Research Methods for the Social Sciences
• Research Skills and Advanced Analytical Methods
• Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Conservation
• Research Project Skills

Stage 2

Research Project

Teaching and assessment

Assessment is carried out primarily through coursework with written examinations for some modules. The research dissertation is written in the format of a paper for publication.

Programme aims

This programme aims to:

• produce postgraduates equipped to play leading roles in the field of international conservation and biodiversity management
• develop new areas of teaching in response to the advance of scholarship and practice
• provide you with opportunities to gain an interdisciplinary perspective on conservation issues through collaborative exchange between DICE and the wider University
• develop your competence in applying theoretical and methodological skills to the implementation of conservation practice and biodiversity management
• develop your critical and analytical powers in policy formulation data analysis and interpretation
• provide you with the skills to adapt and respond positively to change
• develop critical, analytical problem-based learning skills and the transferable skills necessary for professional development
• enhance the development of your interpersonal skills
• assist you in developing the skills required for both autonomous practice and teamwork.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You will gain knowledge and understanding of:

• fundamental ecological concepts and how they apply to conservation biology and biodiversity management
• conservation at the species, population, community and ecosystem levels
• fundamental social science perspectives on conservation, and the principles of interdisciplinarity
• principles and significance of resource economics
• biodiversity law, policy and legislative frameworks
• principles and practices involved with sustainable resource use
• principles and practices involved with managing protected areas for conservation
• principles of conservation research design, implementation and analysis, including problem-led interdisciplinary approaches
• principles and practice in conservation, business and rural development.

Intellectual skills

You develop intellectual skills in:

• the ability to marshal ideas and examples into well-organised written and oral presentations
• critical analysis of case studies
• reflective evaluation of theoretical and methodological frameworks
• design, implementation, analysis and write-up of a substantial research project (your Master’s dissertation)
• linking theory to practice in conservation science and social science.

Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in:

• field biology skills
• social science methodologies
• experimental design and statistics
• methodologies for analysing and appraising conservation case studies
• population assessment and assessment of threat status
• methodologies for estimating sustainable wildlife management
• methodologies for protected areas management and planning.

Transferable skills

You will gain the following transferable skills:

• IT: Word, Excel, statistical and modelling programmes, email, bibliographic and web searches
• presentation skills
• writing reports and funding proposals
• time management
• using a library
• working in groups
• the skills to exercise initiative and personal responsibility
• independent learning skills required for continuing professional development.

The School has a very good record for postgraduate employment and academic continuation. DICE programmes combine academic theory with practical field experience to develop graduates who are highly employable within government, NGOs and the private sector.

Our alumni progress into a wide range of organisations across the world. Examples include:

• Consultancy for a Darwin Initiative project in West Sumatra
• Wildlife Management Officer in Kenya
• Chief of the Biodiversity Unit – UN Environment Programme; Research and Analysis Programme Leader for TRAFFIC
• Freshwater Programme Officer, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• Head of the Ecosystem Assessment Programme, United Nations Environment Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC)
• Community-Based Natural Resource Manager, WWF
• Managing Partner, Althelia Climate Fund
• and Programme Officer, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

• Learn from DICE staff, all of whom have practical conservation experience from around the world and have published internationally excellent research (we are ranked first in the UK for our research publications).
• Conduct fieldwork anywhere in the world or use outstanding facilities on-campus for your research project, including modern laboratories in molecular genetics and wildlife ecology and the DICE field site to support your research.
• Learn outside the classroom with a residential field course at the Durrell Conservation Academy, based at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Jersey, and gain insight into cutting-edge population recovery techniques.
• Build your professional network by becoming part of the global DICE alumni network that includes award-winning conservation scientists and practitioners from over 100 countries.
• You’ll have an opportunity to focus your research project on one of DICE’s many long-term research programmes in the UK or overseas. Watch a brief documentary about one of DICE’s long-term research programmes to help conserve the threatened echo parakeet on Mauritius.
• The School of Anthropology and Conservation provides a rich postgraduate learning environment that spans conservation, geography and anthropology, and perfectly reflects the DICE mission of focusing on applied conservation that breaks down the barriers between the natural and social sciences.