Wildlife Conservation & Management
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.
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 Conservation AESC40150
Data Analysis for Biologists AESC40180
Habitat Evaluation AESC40190
Conservation Genetics AESC40200
One Health AESC40360
Research Project (AESC) 2 AESC40370
Human Impact on the Environment AESC40390
Seminar Presentation AESC40400
Geographic Information Systems AESC40420
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services AESC40440
Literature Review (AESC) AESC40460
Practical Research Skills AESC40470
Biological Invasions ZOOL40280
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.
Graduate Roles:
Environmental Consultant
Conservation Officer
Ecological Advisor
Policy Officer
Conservation Manager
Park Ranger