Curriculum Information

The MSc Research project is delivered over two modules which involve the student in detailed research in a subject area relating to Wildlife and Conservation Management. In this second research-based module students will gain experience in implementation and completion of a detailed research project and technical report writing in a chosen subject area.

Students will conduct a research project which is related to real-world problems and/or conservation challenges, and develop strategies to address these issues based on the analysis of  evidence and contemporary data. Students will work along-side stakeholders to collaborate in research initiatives to tackle emerging issues in conservation and stakeholder collaboration is central to co-design of the research activities and professional practice in the module. Learning in this module is based on real-world, contemporary conservation issues and the practical application of research in the field and/or data analysis to address key issues in conservation. Students will work alongside experts in the field of conservation, ecology and environmental management to support the development of research outputs. Independent working and autonomy are critical skills in this module. The module values the diversity of learners within the group to demonstrate a wide intercultural approach to research and conservation practice.  

Research projects will require students to work with a variety of industry-standard software and a range of data types. Students will apply skills learnt in previous modules alongside new project specific data analysis skills to address their research questions. The research will be presented in a final assessed professional standard report and will be assessed by viva, to provide students with an opportunity to showcase their research.

Important aspects of this module will include; organisation and project management skills, communication and collaboration skills, professional standard literature review and research, selection and application of appropriate methodology (data collection and analysis), appropriate presentation of results including statistical analysis, critical discussion of the findings, consideration of relevant conclusions and conservation recommendations, and professional presentation skills.