Environmental Conservation & Management (MSc)

Society is increasingly sensitive to anthropogenic effects on the natural environment and the public perception is that we do not always weigh the benefits of activities against the associated environmental cost. Such themes are significant with environmental management; the disciplines here help deal with many challenges facing our planet and locality.

Course Overview

Managing our environments in a sustainable way will help balance these concerns with our social and economic problems. Environmental conservationists have the knowledge and skills that is required to meet the many challenges our environment faces; this helps enhance societies by assisting decision makers in various disciplines. This postgraduate programme addresses environmental conservation in both a practical and holistic way, which is supported by geographical and governance academic knowledge, while also delivering a platform from which this knowledge can be disseminated to interested parties.

Candidates are welcomed from all social and educational backgrounds. Applicants will normally be expected to have a good degree in an associated subject. Students will be considered if vocational experience, relevant to the course, has been acquired and academic credibility demonstrated.

The School of the Built and Natural Environment has delivered this Environmental Conservation and Management programme since 1998.

Assessment

Assessments used within these Programmes are normally formative or summative. In the former assessment is designed to ensure students become aware of their strengths and weaknesses. Typically, such assessment will take the form of ‘life projects’ where a more hands-on approach shows student’s ability on a range of activities and includes engagement with employers.

Furthermore, much of the coursework requires that the student and lecturer negotiate the topic for assessment on an individual basis, allowing the student to develop skills appropriate to their employment goals. Some modules where the assessment is research-based require students to verbally/visually present the research results to the lecturer and peers, followed by a question and answer session. Such assessment strategies are in accord with the learning and teaching strategies employed by the team, that is, where the aim is to generate work that is mainly student-driven, individual, reflective and where appropriate, vocationally-orientated. Feedback to students will occur early in the study period and continue over the whole study session thereby allowing for greater value added to the student’s learning. The dissertation topic is developed and proposed by the student to help them refine their expertise in their chosen area.

Career Opportunities

This programme combines academic study with the application of professional skills and competencies. The student will acquire the highest transferable employment skills, which include: oral and visual presentations, environmental assessments, information dissemination, data analysis, and the ability to write reports. Students are particularly well suited to the increasingly important skills associated with environmental management, awareness raising and public participation forums. The Go Wales programme provides quality work experience for undergraduates to make students more attractive to potential employers.