Environmental Sciences - Wildlife Conservation & Management

MSc Wildlife Conservation & Management
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

The MSc Wildlife Conservation and Management is suitable for students who wish to undertake further studies in pursuit of a career in the agricultural and environmental sciences, with a particular emphasis on the sustainable management of wildlife resources within rural landscapes. This is a unique programme dealing with the principles of population management and zoonotic diseases associated with wildlife and conflict resolution.

This MSc enables students to specifically focus their studies on global wildlife conservation and management. For those with an inquiring mind, a deeper understanding of scientific principles relevant to solving agri-environmental food security concerns is provided, which in combination with understanding effective policy-making, leads to sustainable management practice.

The MSc Wildlife Conservation and Management uniquely integrates the principles of wildlife conservation and zoonotic epidemiology, to underpin the effective management of wildlife populations and ecosystem health.

The programme aims to facilitate the development of students to enable them to provide natural science solutions within a theoretical and social context. Students graduate with a range of skills and experience that makes them highly employable as they develop the ability to problem solve in multiple situations.

Students have the opportunity to visit current conservation and management projects in Ireland, to acquire applied field skills. Students also receive contributions from national and international experts in wildlife conservation and management.

This MSc is set within the UCD One Health paradigm in an agricultural context as approximately 60% of land use in Ireland and 50% of the globes land use is devoted to farming. The vision of UCD One Health is to maximise the health and well-being of humans, animals and the environment through academic excellence, collaborative research, education and outreach.

Vision and Values Statement
The MSc in Wildlife Conservation & Management is designed for postgraduate students who wish to undertake further studies in pursuit of a career in the agricultural and environmental sciences, with a particular emphasis on sustainable management of wildlife resources within rural landscapes. The programme choice enables students to specifically focus their studies on global wildlife conservation and management. The programme fosters in its graduates the qualities of self-motivation and critical thinking. For those with an inquiring mind, a deeper understanding of scientific principles relevant to solving agri-environmental food security concerns is provided, which in combination with understanding of effective policy-making, leads to sustainable management practice including an appreciation of One Health. Wildlife Conservation & Management uniquely integrates the principles of wildlife conservation and zoonotic epidemiology, to underpin the effective management of wildlife populations and ecosystem health. This integrated structure is supportive of guided self-learning and provides the opportunity to develop key management skills across the agri-environmental sciences. Core elements of the overall programme include: literature review & knowledge assimilation; core lab, field and IT skills (including use of GIS and remote sensing software); experimental/survey design and quantitative data analysis; written and verbal communication skills. Use is made of individual and group work assignments designed to develop individual, teamwork and leadership skills. A major study project done in the Summer Trimester allows students to put these skills into practice.

Programme Outcomes
Demonstrate the significance and application of population genetics in the sustainable conservation and management of threatened species

Devise and interpret agri-environmental studies/evaluations involving the collection, appropriate analysis and reporting of resulting observations

Evaluate the critical role of conflict resolution in wildlife protection and conservation

Integrate and apply understanding of wildlife ecology, zoonotic disease and its impact on human health including One Health

Understand and apply the principles and practice of wildlife protection and management

Understand and interpret the wider environmental issues and challenges of food production and security, and appreciate the objectives of national, EU and international policy

Understand the use of core lab, field and IT (GIS) skills in scientific study and evaluation

Value the functional benefits of biological diversity and natural ecological processes within managed ecosystems

Related Programmes
MAgrSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation FT
MSc(Agr) Environmental Resource Management FT
MSc(Agr) Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development FT

Subjects taught

Stage 1 - Core:
Wildlife ConservationAESC40150
Data Analysis for BiologistsAESC40180
Habitat EvaluationAESC40190
Conservation GeneticsAESC40200
One HealthAESC40360
Research Project (AESC) 2AESC40370
Human Impact on the EnvironmentAESC40390
Seminar PresentationAESC40400
Geographic Information SystemsAESC40420
Biodiversity and Ecosystem ServicesAESC40440
Literature Review (AESC)AESC40460
Practical Research SkillsAESC40470
Biological Invasions

Entry requirements

- Applicants must hold hold the equivalent of a minimum Lower Second Class Honours Degree (NFQ Level 8), or international equivalent, in a Biological Science, Environmental Science, Animal Science, Equine Science or Veterinary Medicine degree programme from a recognised higher education institution.

- Applicants from other disciplines may be considered if they include strong evaluation, analytical and communication skills and have experience of working in the area.

- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.

- Students meeting the programme's academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD's Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master's Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/

These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes

Application dates

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:
MSc Wildlife Conservation & Management FT (D027)
Duration: 1 Years
Attend: Full Time
Deadline: Rolling *

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised.

Duration

1 year full-time.

Post Course Info

Careers & Employability
There are a range of potential employment opportunities for graduates from this programme including government departments, local authorities, county councils, environmental protection agencies and a range of national and international NGOs. In addition, suitable candidates may progress to PhD study.