StudyQA — Master: Grand Challenges in Ecosystems and the Environment

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Description Contents Requirements

This course provides high-level research training in the latest developments in the conservation of ecosystems and the environment. It is designed to develop the solid theoretical grounding, skills and real-world experience that employers are looking for.

It is a cutting-edge interdisciplinary programme, which covers the physical, life and social sciences. It also provides an understanding of how to ensure that research has real-world impact. This will best prepare students for a career in research and possible PhD studies.

Graduates of this course are ideally placed to work for large international or small local NGOs, contribute to the work of international organisations such as the UN and World Bank, or advise government policy.

Many graduates may aspire to continuing within academia after graduation, and will find that this MRes will set them apart from other PhD candidates.

The MRes in Grand Challenges in Ecosystems and the Environment provides the solid theoretical grounding, skills and real-world experience that employers are looking for. Graduates are ideally placed to work for large international or small local NGOs, contribute to the work of international organisations such as the UN and World Bank, or advise government policy.

Term one:

Week 1 Registration, Induction and GCEE seminars (Oct 2014)

Week 2 GIS/Environmental data module

Week 3 Statistics and programming module

Week 4 Directed study: submit coursework assignment 1 [ECTS 11.25]

Week 5 Physical environment module

Week 6 Biological environment module

Week 7 Social-ecological systems module

Week 8 Policy analysis module

Week 9 Science communication module

Week 10 Directed study: submit coursework assignment 2 [ECTS 11.25]

Week 11 Project planning

Week 12 Project planning: submit outline

Term Two: Working on research project throughout term

Term Three: Continue working on project.

Week 33: Submit mid-project report

Week 34: Mid-term viva and feedback

Week 35: Summer school on "Grand Challenges"

For Master’s courses – June –Sept:

Week 36-47 Project continues

Week 48 Dissertation [ECTS 54] and policy briefing paper [ECTS 9] submission

Week 49 Private study

Week 50 Private study

Week 51 MRes conference, Oral examination [ECTS 4.5], results announced

The minimum qualification for admission is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree in an appropriate subject from an UK academic institution, or an equivalent overseas qualification. Candidates with extensive relevant work experience but a lower degree may also be considered for the course. All candidates should ideally show experience in environmental research or policy, and a strong interest in following a research career in this field.

Additionally, we welcome professionals working within government, NGOs or research institutes, who wish to develop their skills. The part time option for the course will be particularly attractive to these candidates.

Applicants must also meet the College’s English language requirements which for students outside the English speaking world are: IELTS 6.5 (plus writing and speaking 6.0); TOEFL Internet 100 (plus writing and speaking 24).