Conservation Management of African Ecosystems (Taught)

A unique multidisciplinary programme that equips the next generation of conservation scientists and managers with foundational knowledge in data science, conservation ecology, and perspectives on conservation, poverty and development within African settings and beyond. The programme draws on the strength of existing research networks in African conservation research at the University of Glasgow. Students formalise their training through an independent thesis project that addresses a conservation management problem of the students’ choice in Africa, or elsewhere.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

• Gain insight into state-of-the-art research on biodiversity, the principles of conservation management, protected area management, and the human dimensions of conservation.

• Learn skills in the data science, spatial analysis, GIS, statistical programming, economic tools for conservation, conservation genetics and the epidemiology of diseases that threaten endangered species.

• Develop competency in technical scientific skills (study design, statistics, data processing, wildlife telemetry, machine learning) and soft decision-making skills (scientific writing and communication) to enable independent research that generates high-quality outputs, and that communicates impactful messages to a broader range of audiences (e.g. for government policy making and public outreach).

• Opportunities exist for in-depth study of a specific conservation management issue through a research project involving critical evaluation of the literature, collection and/or analysis of data, and interpretation of results in the context of conservation.

• Wide range of experience, expertise and long-term cooperation with partners in East Africa offering students the opportunity to benefit from well-established teaching and support at the School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow, and combining that with research work in one of the major conservation areas of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and elsewhere.

• Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The programme consists of five core courses which set a solid foundation in key research skills and spatial ecology in term 1.

The term 2 emphasis is on conservation management, including human dimensions of conservation, management of protected areas and conservation ecology.

There are a number of optional courses in term 2 which can be selected from a wide portfolio at the School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine.

The taught programme is followed by a research project on a relevant topic selected by the student in consultation with staff at the School and will build on our strong links in Africa, in particular with Tanzania.

A total of 180 credits are required, with 30 flexible credits in the second term.

See the accompanying detailed course descriptions found in the core and optional course links below.

Tanzanian students supported through Karimjee Conservation Scholarships (see below under ‘How to apply’) will undertake a second year of field-based training in Tanzania.

Term 1: Core Courses
Fundamentals of programming and data generating processes
Key Research Skills

Term 2: Core Courses
Conservation in Practice
Principles of Conservation Ecology

Term 2: Optional Courses
Animal Identification
Biodiversity Informatics
Care & Enrichment of Captive Animals
Conservation Genetics
Principles of Conservation Ecology
Economic tools for conservation
Geographic Information Systems for Ecologists
Infectious Disease Ecology and the Dynamics of Emerging Disease

Term 3: Core courses
MSc CMAE Research Project

See the course page on our website for more information and examples of research projects undertaken by past students.