Description
Programme Specification for the 2021/2 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 | 2021/2 |
| 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
and
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
120 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules
a You may select only one of the field course modules. If you have mobility or health disabilities and want to undertake fieldwork, then reasonable adjustments and/or alternative assessment can be considered.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOM4009 | Research Project | 90 | Yes |
| BIOM4025 | Statistical Modelling | 15 | No |
| LESM006 | The Art of Science | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BioP MSc CS&P opt 2021-2 | |||
| BIOM4012 | Terrestrial Biodiversity and Conservation | 15 | No |
| BIOM4030 | Planning and Leading Conservation Projects | 15 | No |
| BIOM4031 | GIS in Conservation Science | 15 | No |
| BIOM4041 | Protected Areas | 15 | No |
| GEOM404 | Policy and Governance for Sustainability | 15 | No |
| POCM012 | Global Sustainability Challenges | 15 | No |
| BioP MSc CS&P field courses 2021-2 [see note a above] | |||
| BIOM4026 | African Conservation Science and Policy Field Course | 30 | No |
| BIOM4043 | Rewilding the United Kingdom | 30 | 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
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
10. Admissions Criteria
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
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
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 | 12/05/2021 |
|---|