The world’s environments have long been threatened by human impact. As pressures on the natural environment intensify, there is a growing need for professionals skilled in conservation and environmental management. Accredited by both the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) the Environment and Resources Professional Group of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the MSc Wildlife and Conservation Management brings together the physical, chemical, biological, socioeconomic, administrative and legislative aspects of land planning, providing the skills you need for an exciting and rewarding career as an environmental conservation manager.

The MSc Wildlife and Conservation Management combines a broad understanding of the science and management of conservation, putting emphasis on integrating specialist knowledge and practical skills with IT and communication. You will develop a wide range of skills, including biodiversity, survey techniques, environmental management and monitoring systems, geographical information systems and an understanding of relevant ecological principles, legislation and regulatory frameworks. What’s more, our extensive and exciting fieldwork programme will train you in a wide range of environmental survey and assessment techniques.

What you will study

• Tropical Ecology- 20 credits (Optional)
  This module encompasses dive training; a 16-day excursion (variable destinations, e.g. Borneo, Honduras, Philippines); one-week tropical forest surveys, one-week coral reef diving – organism identification and surveying.

• Environmental Management and Legislation – 10 credits
  We look at how legislation protects the environment, planning laws and policies, environmental economics and cost-benefit analysis.
• Wildlife Surveying – 10 credits
  You will conduct pond and river water quality surveys (BMWP and PSYM methods) and river habitat surveys (RHS). You will learn freshwater invertebrate identification skills and plant identification.
• Tools for Sustainable Development – 20 credits (Optional)
  This 100% coursework module includes a four-day workshop. We look at energy use/resources and climate change. We also investigate sustainable alternatives to current lifestyles, consumerism, fossil fuel use and the implications for conservation policy and practices, plus how to obtain funding for community and sustainability projects.
• Restoration Ecology – 20 credits
  In this module we study ecology and biodiversity; re-wilding: beaver, lynx, wolf reintroduction; restoration approaches for various habitats and tropical forest management.

• Terrestrial and Aquatic Conservation – 20 credits
  You will study protected areas and their management; the impact of climate change on terrestrial habitats; agricultural systems and impact on conservation; the
  ecology of rivers, lakes and marine habitats; the human impacts on freshwater habitats and identifying freshwater life.
• European Field Expedition – 20 credits
  You will study vegetation surveys (forest structure surveys, thermal zone assessment, various transect techniques, habitat mapping); land use and management issues; bird survey methods (bird identification skills); offshore marine surveys and measurements.
• Work Based Learning Project – 20 credits (Optional)
  The optional Work Based Learning module enables our students to gain 60 hours work experience under the supervision of an employer. You will also be assigned an academic supervisor who will advise you on a suitable employer based on your area of interest. Recent organisations who have hosted our students include Capita Symonds, Natural Resources Wales, Wales Heritage Coastal Path and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.
• MSc Project – 60 credits 
  This project is often done in co-operation with conservation organisations such as National Parks; English Nature / Countryside Council for Wales; National Botanic Garden; Environment Agency and Wildlife Trusts. Examples of recent projects include coral reef conservation in the Bahamas; feeding habits of Groupers off Honduras; deforestation in SE Asia; invasive species in Cardiff Bay; biodiversity increase with organic farming; butterfly reintroduction and habitats; recognition of Japanese Knotweed by remote sensing.
• Tropical Environmental Monitoring – 20 credits (Optional)
  This module is all about conservation and wildlife / safari management. We look at field monitoring techniques and identification skills, and animal tracking on both foot and by vehicle.

• Applied Geospatial Analysis – 20 credits
  This offers a practical introduction to Geographical Information Systems and their use in environmental management. We will look at remote sensing techniques; animal population modelling; pollution modelling and the use of statistical software for parametric and non-parametric analysis, correlation, regression and ANOVA analysis.

Teaching

Assessment