The MSc Course
The institutions involved in IMAE are University of East Anglia (UK), University of Coimbra (Portugal), Christian-Albrechts-Universitat in Kiel (Germany), University of São Paulo (Brazil), University Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) and University of Sakatchewan (Canada).
At UEA, the 2nd year specialisation is in Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Change. You will be challenged you to think about recent strategies and actions that produce effective biodiversity conservation in a changing world transformed by humans. You will discuss how to establish conservation targets in a changing world and will examine strategies to tackle climate change, population growth and the need for socio-economic development and environmental justice.
This course aims to give you an in-depth understanding of recent conservation projects carried out by National and International Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). These case-studies will be presented by invited speakers and this will give you the opportunity to discuss conservation strategies with experts in the field. You will learn practical skills that will enable you to collect and analyse ecological data for a variety of applications including conservation, rewilding, consultancy, policy making and environmental protection.
You will graduate with a Masters in Applied Ecology – International Programme and will obtain the IMAE programme joint degree from University of Coimbra and Kiel stating all the universities you have engaged with, see details on the International Master in Applied Ecology website.
Study Programme and Teaching
MSc Applied Ecology – International Programme at UEA focuses on biodiversity conservation in a changing world. You’ll take two compulsory modules: Evidence-Based Global Conservation and Statistics and Modelling for Scientists Using R and will carry out an independent research project for your dissertation.
Evidence-Based Global Conservation is an interdisciplinary module focusing on the critical evaluation of scientific evidence as a basis for effective biodiversity conservation policy, strategy and interventions. You will learn to analyse evidence and find solutions for conservation problems. This module focuses on biodiversity conservation in a human dominated planet that is rapidly changing.
In Statistics and Modelling for Scientists Using R you’ll learn to use R – a free programming language for statistical computing and graphics. Learning R will equip you with a flexible statistical, modelling, and graphics tool to carry out data analysis and present results. You will practice the use of statistical tests and will gain access to tools and skills that are widely requested by employers.
In addition to your compulsory modules you’ll choose three optional modules from a wide selection available including: GIS and its applications for modelling ecological and environmental change; Ecological Survey Methods; Practical Conservation and Work Experience; Climate Change: Physical Science Basis; Political Ecology; Conservation Genetics; Sustainable Consumption and many more.
Independent Research Project
For your dissertation you’ll work on a full-time research project between mid-March and early August, with the support of a faculty member. You’ll conduct an extensive, original and quantitative investigation on a conservation or applied ecology topic carried out in the laboratory or the field. This could be in different locations worldwide. We have special agreements with University of Adelaide, Australia and University of Otago, New Zealand. You can collect your own data or, alternatively, analyse existing data. You can undertake your project in the Schools of Biological or Environmental Sciences, or with an international, national or local conservation agency (e.g. World Land Trust, Birdlife International, Wildlife Conservation Society, WWF). You’ll write up your research project as a 10,000-word dissertation.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
Applications are submitted online to the IMAE portal. These are coordinated by the University of Coimbra the consortium leader.
Tuition fee for nationals of a European Union (EU-28) country: 4.500€/year
Tuition fee for nationals from a non EU-28 country: 9.000€/year