International Graduate School
MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management
Course Structure
The MSc course comprises:
- Core modules which are assessed by written examination;
- Two electives, which are assessed through essays and/or coursework;
- An original and independent research dissertation;
- Training in research methods;
- Workshops, reading groups and additional seminars; and,
- Field trips.
An outline time-table and description of content for the course is illustrated in the table below. Core modules and electives are taught in the first two terms leaving the third term for examinations and dissertation preparation. The following description applies to the 2010/11 academic year. Applicants for future years should be aware that the details of the course change from year to year as we seek to keep the course up to date with developments in the field and as we accommodate new opportunities arising from staff arrivals or departures.
| MSc in Biodiversity Conservation & Management | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1st Term | 2nd Term | 3rd Term |
| Conservation Biogeography | Conservation Beyond Reserves | Examinations |
| Long-Term Ecology and Conservation | Strategic Conservation Planning | |
| Conservation Governance | Contemporary Issues in Biodiversity | |
| Biodiversity Assessment | ||
| International Environmental Policy & Legal Frameworks (All MScs) | Tenerife Field Trip (1st week of Easter vacation) | Research Dissertation (continues into long vacation) |
| Research Methods and Skills (All MScs) | ||
| Elective modules, Policy Workshops, Policy Dialogue Seminars (All MScs) | ||
Core Modules
A brief description of each of the modules is given below. Full details on each module, lectures and reading lists can be found in the Course Handbook.
Conservation Biogeography
Module Leader: Prof. Rob Whittaker
In this module you will develop a critical grasp of the science underpinning biodiversity conservation imperatives on the global stage. In turn, you will examine the state of our knowledge of global biodiversity, and biogeography; issues that confound biogeographical analyses at course scales; theoretical frameworks of diversity science; the implications of past crises for understanding of present threats to diversity; invasive species and biotic homogenization, islands as model systems for the diversity 'crisis' and finally, the basis for predicting losses as a function of habitat loss and fragmentation. Throughout, you will examine key assumptions and uncertainties within the science of biodiversity at a global scale. The module thus sets out to help you develop a secure grasp of the conservation imperative through the application of a critical biogeographical framework.
Long-Term Ecology and Conservation
Module Leader: Prof. Kathy Willis
Understanding the structure and diversity of past communities is essential for providing insights into current conservation problems, providing baselines for conservation management and for gaining insights into the response of ecosystems to environmental change. In this module you will be introduced into the concepts and techniques of long-term ecology and their significance for contemporary biodiversity conservation.
Conservation Governance
Module Leader: Dr Paul Jepson
In this module we will adopt a governance perspective to analyse the complex interactions of power, legitimacy and authority that manifest in policy approaches to govern the behaviours of institutions, organisations, individuals in their relations to nature and the environment. We will contrast the traditional state-centric approach to analysing and practising biodiversity conservation with the more expansive governance perspective, with its focus on the role of non-state-actors and voluntary, market-led policy instruments (such as FSC and more recently REDD). We will explore these themes through case studies of plant and bird conservation. Throughout the module we will reflect on the role of conservation NGOs in conservation governance and in particular the agency that NGO-invented measurement and assessment tools play in the creation of the international regimes and institutions that govern the conservation of global biodiversity.
Conservation Beyond Reserves
Module Leader: Dr Shonil Bhagwat
Throughout the 20th Century, conservation has relied on the expansion of the protected area network. However, with the human population expected to reach 10 billion by the middle of this century, conservation will have to operate in an increasingly crowded world. Can we reconcile food production and biodiversity conservation in human-dominated landscapes? Can we maintain biodiversity on land where people live, work and play? This module will compare and contrast land sparing and land sharing as two contrasting approaches to conservation and attempt to find practical solutions for conservation in the 21st Century. The module will also address values underlying conservation in contemporary societies. These include economic values on the one hand (e.g. ecosystem services) and cultural values on the other (e.g. sacred sites). The module will address future challenges for conservation, but will also identify solutions.
Strategic Conservation Planning
Module Leader: Dr Paul Jepson
This module will provide you with an advanced introduction into spatial and species-based approaches for conservation planning in the terrestrial realm. You will critically examine high profile global biodiversity prioritisation and planning schemes; particularly those promoted by international NGOs. You will also discuss cutting edge approaches to conservation planning that incorporate landscape, social values and climatic frameworks.
Contemporary Issues in Biodiversity
Module Leader: Dr Shonil Bhagwat (with guest speakers)
This module will be organised as a series of seminars that will examine current issues in biodiversity conservation and management. Although the nature of these seminars changes from year to year, a wide variety of topics are normally on offer: from agriculture to conservation in marine habitats to ecosystem services to cultural-spiritual values. Top conservation scientists and practitioners from around the globe are invited to give seminars as part of this module.
Biodiversity Assessment
Module Leader: Dr Shonil Bhagwat
This module is organised as a series of field trips that will introduce you to the theory and practice behind collecting biodiversity data. These field trips are spread over two terms and will include visits to locations near Oxford (e.g. Wytham Woods), elsewhere in the United Kingdom (e.g. Dale Fort, Pembrokeshire, Wales) and abroad (e.g. Tenerife). The field trips will be supplemented with theory classes. The main objective of this module is to equip you with the knowledge of biodiversity surveys, even if it is not always possible to practise the hands-on survey skills. We will cover subject areas such as sampling designs, ecological field techniques and rapid biodiversity assessment for a variety of taxa.
International Environmental Policy and Legal Frameworks (All MSc courses)
Module Leader: Marta Lang
This module aims to: (1) introduce structures, processes, mechanisms and actors in international environmental frameworks and policy; (2) focus in on four key issue areas: pollutants, ocean depletion, global warming and terrestrial species conservation; (3) encourage critical thinking about underpinning concepts and principles; (4) elicit perspectives on the value and limits of using international rules and policy to solve environmental problems or take reform agendas forward.
Research Methods and Skills (All MSc courses)
Module Leaders: Course Directors
Research Methods and Skills module is offered to all MSc courses in the School. It runs over two terms and includes basic and advanced research skills that will equip you for your research dissertation and a possible future career as a researcher and academic. The sessions will cover important technical and professional skills and will build into a broad ranging portfolio of the skills needed for dissertation projects.
Tenerife Field Trip
Module Leader: Prof. Rob Whittaker
The field programme is a mandatory part of the MSc that is designed to complement and extend the class room provision, and includes one short residential course overseas. The field trip programme is revised annually but excepting unforeseen circumstances, will include a residential field trip outside the UK and a number of local UK trips.
Tenerife, like many oceanic islands, has an unusual flora and fauna with high levels of endemism and serious conservation and development issues. The one-week field course takes a problem-based approach that allows students to gain a deeper understanding of several aspects of conservation practice and policy.
Electives
There is a separate Electives handbook that provides outlines of available electives in the School of Geography and the Environment for the current year. Please note, however, that module details may change at short notice due to changes in staff availability.
Elective Modules offer a small-group, tutorial-style teaching and discussion environment, based on a suite of contemporary research themes that reflect the specific interests of core faculty and visiting research associates. Each student has the opportunity to identify electives of particular interest, though the selection process will be made through committee at the start of term. As such, the teaching aim is to foster discussion and debate between academic staff and students to identify and explore theory, methods and practice in an academic space that encourages a critical dialectic.
You have a very wide choice of electives, including modules that are run by the BCM core teaching team. For full details, please see the module outlines in the Electives handbook.
The above programme represents the planned course content for 2010/11. The actual content may vary from this plan, which should therefore be taken to be indicative rather than tightly prescriptive.