Description
Programme Specification for the 2019/0 academic year
MSc Conservation Science and Policy
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MSc Conservation Science and Policy | Programme code | PTS1GAEBIOCA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time |
Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Campus(es) | Cornwall Campus |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
Taught by internationally recognised experts active at the science/policy interface, this interdisciplinary programme examines both scientific and policy-oriented aspects of conservation. Teaching covers the breadth of this important field, examining how conservation goals may be achieved under climate change scenarios, in combination with food security requirements, and taking account of social justice. The breadth of the course gives flexibility to pursue those areas most relevant to your professional development and contains a significant research component supported by leading researchers. It is taught at Exeter's Penryn Campus in new buildings with state-of-the-art facilities, in a region facing key challenges in balancing conservation with other goals.
Within modules there is considerable scope for you to choose the topics you wish to pursue. Integral to the whole programme is extensive liaison with conservation practitioners from a wide range of collaborating governmental and non-governmental organisations such as the Marine Conservation Society, Natural England and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the UK and a broad suite of organisations in Africa including Birdlife, Solio Ranch, Kenya Wildlife Service and Wildlife Direct. Key individuals from some of these organisations contribute to classes and field visits and a number of our project students will be placed with such organisations. A special feature of the programme is the Kenya field trip, which includes visits to some of East Africa’s most famous conservation areas, as well as in-depth discussions with a wide range of stakeholders about synergies and trade-offs between conservation and development. Travel and subsistence costs for this part of the programme are included in the programme fee.
If you have mobility or health disabilities and want to undertake fieldwork, reasonable adjustments and/or alternative assessment can be considered.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
This programme aims to:
- Provide you with knowledge and understanding of topics that underpin our understanding of research-informed frontiers in conservation science and policy;
- Enable you to develop a rigorous understanding of core conservation themes and approaches from both a scientific and social scientific point of view;
- Provide you with excellent knowledge of the different principles of conservation science and policy as well as their practical application in a range of environmental settings;
- Enable you to experience a supportive learning environment, from seminar and lecture room to work in the field, that fosters your academic and personal development;
- Train you to identify, understand and solve problems that relate to the study of conservation by bringing together knowledge and approaches from environmental science and social science;
- Provide you with training and guidance in order to undertake an independent research programme in a relevant aspect of conservation science and policy;
- Provide you with the intellectual knowledge, skills and practical training that will enhance your employability and prepare you for autonomous lifelong learning.
4. Programme Structure
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.
http://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk/current/modules/pgcornwall/
http://geography.exeter.ac.uk/currentstudents/postgraduate/modules_cornwall/
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.
If you have mobility or health disabilities that prevent you from undertaking intensive fieldwork, reasonable adjustments and/or alternative assessment can be considered. This could include replacing a fieldwork module with an alternative in agreement with the Director of Education.
You are also permitted to take the five-credit module LESM910 Professional Development Experience in any year. Registration on this module is subject to a competitive application process. If taken, this module will not count towards progression or award calculation.
Stage 1
135 credits of compulsory modules, 45 credits of optional modules
a If you have mobility or health disabilities and want to undertake fieldwork, then reasonable adjustments and/or alternative assessment can be considered.
b You may choose either BIOM4012 or BIOM4013.
c You may choose either GEOM408 or LESM006.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOM4009 | Research Project | 90 | Yes |
| BIOM4025 | Statistical Modelling | 15 | No |
| BIOM4026 | African Conservation Science and Policy Field Course | 30 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BioP BIOM4012-BIOM4013 [See note b above] | |||
| BIOM4012 | Terrestrial Biodiversity and Conservation | 15 | No |
| BIOM4013 | Marine Biodiversity and Conservation | 15 | No |
| BioP GEOM408-LESM006 [See note c above] | |||
| GEOM408 | Transdisciplinary Methods for Sustainability Science | 15 | No |
| LESM006 | The Art of Science | 15 | No |
| BioP MSc CS&P opt 2019-0 | |||
| BIOM4014 | Preparing for Ecological Consultancy | 15 | No |
| BIOM4030 | Planning and Leading Conservation Projects | 15 | No |
| BIOM4031 | GIS in Conservation Science | 15 | No |
| GEOM404 | Policy and Governance for Sustainability | 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/or new insights in Conservation Science and Policy. | Lectures, seminars, discussion groups, oral presentations, poster presentations, practical laboratory and field skills, independent reading and synthesis. | ILOs 1-5: Core dissertation module assessed via research proposal, literature review and main dissertation report, all containing relevant subject-specific context and content, data handling and evidence of primary research. ILOs 1, 2, 4 and 5; Non-dissertation modules assess subject specific skills using a mixture of assessments including: policy briefs; essays; learning diaries; presentations; posters; technical reports; and discussion groups. |
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 field skills, independent reading and synthesis. | ILOs 6-9: Core dissertation module assessed via proposal, literature review and main dissertation report, all containing relevant core skills and knowledge. ILOs 6, 7 and 9: Non-dissertation modules assess subject specific skills using a mixture of assessments including: policy briefs; essays; learning diaries; presentations; posters; technical reports; and discussion groups. |
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 in the absence of complete 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 and field skills, independent reading and synthesis. | ILOs 10-13: Explicitly assessed in research training and Dissertation modules. Subject-specific modules all contain assessments that test transferable skills and skills relevant to future employment (e.g. policy briefs, reports, presentations). |
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 College of Life and Environmental Sciences (CLES), Penryn campus where close working relationships are fostered. Your lead discipline will be Biosciences, but you will be taught and supervised by staff from the Centre for Geography, Environment and Society, the Centre for Ecology and Conservation, and the Environment and Sustainability Institute (all based in CLES, Penryn campus). 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 (Dissertation) component of the programme. In addition, the Programme Director will offer you 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.
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.
(http://as.exeter.ac.uk/support/admin/staff/qualityassuranceandmonitoring/tqamanual/fullcontents/)
12. Indicators of Quality and Standards
The programme is not subject to accreditation and/ or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).
13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards
The University and its constituent Colleges draw on a range of data to review the quality of educational provision. The College documents the performance in each of its taught programmes, against a range of criteria on an annual basis through the Annual Programme Monitoring cycle:
- Admissions, progression and completion data
- In Year Analysis data
- Previous monitoring report
- Monitoring of core (and optional) modules
- External examiner's reports and University and College responses (reported to SSLC)
- Any Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body/accrediting body or other external reports
- Consultation with employers and former students
- Staff evaluation
- Student evaluation
- Programme aims
Subject areas are reviewed every four years through a periodic subject review scheme that includes external contributions. (http://admin.exeter.ac.uk/academic/tls/tqa/Part%209/9JREVISEDPSRSCHEME.pdf)
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
College of Life and Environmental Sciences (CLES)
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 Conservation Science and Policy
19. UCAS Code
N/A
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | ECTS credits |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 24/10/2012 |
Date of last revision | 25/04/2019 |
|---|