Endangered Species Recovery and Conservation, MRes, MSc

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Endangered Species Recovery and Conservation, MRes, MSc

Nottingham Trent University
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Description

Delivered in conjunction with the internationally-renowned Durrell Conservation Academy, this postgraduate degree provides graduates with an international outlook on species recovery. Designed to enhance employment or research opportunities, students will meet the global need for scientifically literate and technically expert individuals who can bridge the gap between in-situ and ex-situ approaches to conservation.

Bursary news: Apply for a £1,000 reduction in tuition fees for 2014 entry - apply online before 1 July 2014.

Why choose this course?
  • You can undertake an international research project using NTU's links with national and international conservation projects.
  • Part of your study …

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Didn't find what you were looking for? See also: Conservation, Animal Husbandry, C/C++, English (FCE / CAE / CPE), and Teaching Skills.

Delivered in conjunction with the internationally-renowned Durrell Conservation Academy, this postgraduate degree provides graduates with an international outlook on species recovery. Designed to enhance employment or research opportunities, students will meet the global need for scientifically literate and technically expert individuals who can bridge the gap between in-situ and ex-situ approaches to conservation.

Bursary news: Apply for a £1,000 reduction in tuition fees for 2014 entry - apply online before 1 July 2014.

Why choose this course?
  • You can undertake an international research project using NTU's links with national and international conservation projects.
  • Part of your study will take place at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (DWCT) International Training Centre in Jersey, where specialist components of the Captive Breeding and Husbandry and Conservation Genetics modules are delivered.
  • Brackenhurst campus offers 200 hectares of rural estate and modern laboratories for the development of scientific skills and experience.
  • Members of the course team have research links with international organisations, specifically the Course Leader, holding an ongoing adjunct professor position with California State University.
  • Brand new 1,000 square metre, £2.5 million pound campus library due to open in Autumn 2013.

The School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences has invested heavily in facilities and research programmes that support wildlife conservation sciences. Our modern Animal Unit and varying habitats on campus support a strong community of undergraduate and postgraduate students on Animal Sciences, Zoo Biology and Wildlife Conservation courses.

Brackenhurst campus is part of the DEFRA Environmental Stewardship scheme that supports effective environmental management of farm land and countryside estates. Over the years a number of endangered species have been involved in recovery programmes at Brackenhurst including Yellowhammers and Great Crested Newts.

Working with domestic and exotic species in the Animal Unit and across the natural habitats on the estate enables students to develop a holistic approach to endangered species recovery and conservation, recognising the need for in-situ and ex-situ approaches and bridging gaps between these disciplines.

Learn from expert staff

The course leader has previously worked on endangered species recovery initiatives in several countries and has established recovery research links in Canada, America and Mauritius where there are high levels of interest in species recovery.

The course leader has an ongoing adjunct professor position with California State University. Other members of the course team have similar links with international organisations with a particular focus on South Africa.

Want to find out more?
  • Tour Brackenhurst campus on an Open Day.
  • Check out our Flickr photostream!
  • Find out more about the facilities at Brackenhurst campus.

The MSc is a 12-month full-time programme, which can also be studied part-time over two years. The delivery method is full-time continuous teaching. Three modules are taught in term one and three modules in term two. Students then conduct their research project from the start of term three, continuing throughout the summer. The project will be completed by end of September.

What will I study?

Modules

Research Methods and Data Analysis
This module provides postgraduate students with advanced skills in interpretation of quantitative and qualitative research data relevant to whole-organism biology. Students also develop a critical understanding of the ethical considerations involved in the collection of data from field surveying.

The Research Methods and Data Analysis module also underpins the surveying modules by investigating survey design and exploring computerised biological recording and management systems. Statistical techniques will be used to provide students with a robust set of analytical tools to conduct research. These include traditional parametric and non-parametric statistics, multivariate statistics, ordination techniques and probability-based analysis. The module has a large eLearning component supported by theoretical lectures and practical sessions.

Conservation Priorities
This module aims to integrate different disciplines concerning conservation of species and habitats to provide a thorough basis from which students can develop a coherent approach to the specialist taxonomic and surveying techniques and the legal framework behind these. Specifically, the 5 major threats to species on the planet will be studied in detail (climate change, habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive alien species, human wildlife conflict and exploitation).

Species Recovery: Theories, Methods and Techniques
This module covers both the theoretical and applied aspects of successfully recovering species under threat of extinction. The module develops an understanding of population dynamics, and the various methods used to facilitate species recovery. Methods covered will include those employed in the removal of invasive species (plant and animal), habitat preparation, modelling, mitigation, inciting public support, reintroduction/translocation and ex-situ aspects of conservation not related to captive breeding.

In addition to lectures, seminars and e-learning, this module provides a vehicle to equip students with practical applied skills often required for species recovery such as radio-telemetry, necropsy, scat dietary analysis and survey methods.

Furthermore, whilst the development of effective communication skills will run throughout the programme, this module will specifically address methods of facilitating species recovery through enhanced dialogue and progressive thinking when consulting with local communities.

Captive Breeding and Husbandry
This module will provide an understanding of the many aspects required to successfully breed endangered species in captivity. It will outline the various goals of captive breeding, and develop awareness of how techniques may differ according to the proposed use of the animals. The module will encompass a broad overview of all areas of knowledge required for maintenance and reproduction of wild animals ex-situ, such as:

  • housing
  • nutrition
  • health
  • enrichment
  • contraception for animals to be used in reintroduction or translocation
  • rearing, pre-release preparation and training.

Students on this course will also become familiar with industry-related software such as Zootrition®, SPARKS, PMx and Zims.

Teaching of this module will be shared between staff at two locations, at the NTU Brackenhurst campus, and at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. This combined delivery method provides an effective vehicle for ensuring that students are provisioned with the current theoretical basis and applied aspects of species conservation.

Conservation Genetics
This module aims to provide an understanding of the basis of conservation genetics and how the use of genetic theory and techniques can aid the recovery of threatened species. The module will cover aspects such as:

  • impacts of reduced genetic diversity
  • inbreeding depression
  • outbreeding depression
  • population fragmentation
  • loss of gene flow
  • genetic drift
  • genetic aspects of captive breeding
  • genetic adaptation to captivity
  • impact of taxonomic classifications and uncertainty on recovery efforts
  • forensics
  • non-invasive sampling techniques
  • the use of genetics to increase knowledge of species biology.

The module comprises of a mix of classroom-based lectures and seminars, computer-based practicals to develop familiarity with relevant software, and laboratory-based practicals using samples collected from the field by students. This module is co-taught with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.

Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Employers in the management of the environment sector are increasingly looking for (Geographical Information Systems) GIS experience in person specifications. GIS is an important tool for monitoring biodiversity and can be used to store, manipulate, analyse and present large amounts of spatial and attribute data; data that can be used to target surveys and monitoring schemes. Data collected during field surveys and from remotely sensed images taken into GIS allow the monitoring of both the location and extent of change. This module will explore the application of GIS and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) technology within biodiversity conservation through work in both the classroom and in support of fieldwork sessions in other modules on the MSc Biodiversity Surveying and Species Recovery programmes.

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