MSc Wildlife Conservation & Management
University College Dublin
Key Information
Campus location
Dublin, Ireland
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 9,690 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
* EU fee per year - € 9690; non-EU fee per year - € 27720
Introduction
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 globe's 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 an understanding of effective policy-making, leads to sustainable management practices 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.
Gallery
Ideal Students
Who should apply?
Full-Time option suitable for:
- Domestic (EEA) applicants: Yes
- International (Non-EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region: Yes
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships on our website.
Curriculum
What modules can I take?
Stage 1 - Core
- Wildlife Conservation
- Data Analysis for Biologists
- Habitat Evaluation
- Conservation Genetics
- One Health
- Research Project (AESC) 2
- Human Impact on the Environment
- Seminar Presentation
- Geographic Information Systems
- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
- Literature Review (AESC)
- Practical Research Skills
- Biological Invasions
Program Outcome
- 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 practices 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.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Careers & Employability
There is 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