Ecological Conservation

Duration:

1 year full-time
2-5 years part-time 

Overview:

In the wake of the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment and the implementation of European legislation (eg Habitats Directive, Birds Directive and the Water Framework Directive), the management of our environment for ecological objectives is a rapidly expanding field of activity. To maintain biodiversity, ecological resources require careful management based on sound scientific principles.

Accredited by the Landscape Institute, this course aims to provide knowledge and develop understanding about the acquisition and management of ecological data for the economic conservation of biodiversity and restoration of damaged ecosystems. It provides the skills to assess, plan, execute and implement programmes of ecological management which reconcile the needs of wildlife and other ecosystem services, such as agriculture, forestry and water management.

Students benefit from dedicated laboratories for the study of soil engineering, soil, plant and water interactions, and ecosystem behaviour. New laboratories have specialist capabilities in soil chemistry and biology, and we own land which is used for field trials and research investigations.

Course Structure:

The MSc course comprises eight assessed modules, a group project module, an integrated group project and an individual project. Students undertaking the Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) complete the eight modules and the two group projects. Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) students complete five modules, a project and a personal development portfolio.

The modules include lectures and tutorials, and are assessed through written examinations and assignments. These provide the tools required for the group and individual projects.

• Ecological Restoration
• Ecosystem Services - Living with Environmental Limits
• Environmental Auditing
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Environmental Remote Sensing
• GIS Fundamentals
• Soil Erosion Conservation and Bioengineering
• Soil Plant Environment Science

Group project:

• Improving Land-Based Ecosystem Service Delivery

Entry requirements:

Candidates must possess, or be expected to achieve, a 1st or 2nd class UK Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline. Other relevant qualifications, together with significant experience, may be considered.

English language requirements - our normal minimum requirement is a TOEFL score of 580 (paper test) or 237 (computer test), essay rating 4.5 or 92 (Internet test), all skills 19 or an IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 for writing, a TOEIC overall score of 830, or a Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English grade C or Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English grade C, although a number of our programmes require higher scores.

Funding:

Funding opportunities exist, including industrial sponsorship, School bursaries and a number of general external schemes.  For the majority of part-time students sponsorship is organised by their employers. We recommend you discuss this with your company in the first instance.

Please note that a formal offer of a place on this course must have been received before consideration can be given for funding. For further details please visit our website or contact our Enquiries Office on the details provided below.

Want to find out more?

Contact our Enquiries Office for further details on all the courses we offer by either email: appliedsciences@cranfield.ac.uk or phone +44 (0)1234 758008. You can also visit our website.

Additional content

• Specialist Energy MSc opportunities