Conservation Behaviour

Overview
This one-year MSc degree focuses on how animal behaviour can be applied to wildlife conservation. This is an exciting new area of study, known as Conservation Behaviour, and is suitable for those interested in careers in animal behaviour and/or conservation.

You will study the behaviour of a wide range of species from marine, freshwater and terrestrial habitats, and you will learn how an understanding of animal behaviour can contribute to the conservation and management of those species.

You will acquire a range of applied skills, such as camera trap surveying for terrestrial mammals, visual and acoustic monitoring of marine mammals, abundance estimation of marine mammals using mark-recapture and DISTANCE, geographic information systems (GIS), and data analysis using R and RStudio.

Course Highlights
1. Teaching by research-active staff working in the field of Conservation Behaviour, with particular interests in marine and freshwater species.

2. A week-long residential field course in the west of Ireland, where the behaviour of a number of species will be studied in a natural setting.

3. A major research thesis on a real conservation problem, in collaboration with a supervisor from GMIT and a supervisor from an external organisation.

Course Details
The course consists of six taught modules (5 ECTS each) and a major research thesis (60 ECTS).

The research thesis:
Students will undertake an approved research project under the direction of an internal supervisor and, if appropriate, a supervisor from a relevant external organisation.

Research projects may be drawn from any area within the course, or from an area of expertise of the supervisors, while also taking the interests and future career of the student into account.

Research projects to be carried out in 2019 involve collaborations with the Marine Institute, Inland Fisheries Ireland, and the Coral Restoration Foundation (Florida, USA), among others.

Year 1
Studies in Conservation Behaviour 5 credits
Data Analysis using R and RStudio 5 credits
Residential Field Course 5 credits
Applied Geographic Information Systems 5 credits
Animal Behaviour: Recording and Analysis 5 credits
Acoustic Monitoring as a Marine Conservation Tool 5 credits

Research Thesis
60 credits

The minimum requirement is a 2.2 in a cognate Honours Degree, e.g. Animal Behaviour, Conservation Biology, Zoology, Ecology, Environmental Science, etc. If you are not sure whether your degree is cognate, please feel free to email the course co-ordinators (contact details below), and they will be happy to advise.

Non-EU, non-native English speakers, must have a score of 6.0 in IELTS or equivalent.

Postgraduate Applications

Details on how to apply for Postgraduate Courses at ATU

Applications for programmes commencing in September 2023 are NOW OPEN.

Click on "Application Weblink" below.

If you have any queries or need any assistance applying for a postgraduate course please contact our Graduate Studies and Professional Development (GSPD) team who will guide you through the process.

Email: learn.galwaymayo@atu.ie and reference the course you're interested in applying for in your message.

Are you an international student? Please contact the International Office for more information:
Tel: +353 (0)91 74 2149/2211
Email: international.galwaymayo@atu.ie

1 year full-time. On Campus.

Job Opportunities
Graduates will be well prepared for careers in wildlife conservation and management, or may continue to PhD research.

Potential employers may include:
• Ecological Consultancies
• Non-Governmental Organisations and Charities
• Research Institutes
• Government Agencies