Quantitative Methods in Biodiversity, Conservation and Epidemiology MSc/PgDip

Today more than ever, quantitative skills form an essential basis for successful careers in ecology, conservation, and animal and human health. This Masters programme provides specific training in data collection, modelling and statistical analyses as well as generic research skills. It is offered by the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine (IBAHCM), a grouping of top researchers who focus on combining field data with computational and genetic approaches to solve applied problems in epidemiology and conservation.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

• This programme encompasses key skills in monitoring and assessing biodiversity critical for understanding the impacts of environmental change.
• It covers quantitative analyses of ecological and epidemiological data critical for animal health and conservation.
• The uniqueness of the programme is the opportunity to gain core skills and knowledge across a wide range of subjects, which will enhance future career opportunities, including entrance into competitive PhD programmes. For example, there are computational biology programmes offered elsewhere, but most others do not combine advanced statistics and modelling with opportunities to gain practical field skills, expertise in molecular techniques or bioinformatics tools for assessing biodiversity. Other courses in epidemiology are rarely ecologically focused; the specialty in IBAHCM is understanding disease ecology, in the context of wildlife, animal health and implications for human public health.
• A unique strength of the University of Glasgow for many years has been the strong ties between veterinarians and ecologists, which has now been formalised in the formation of the IBAHCM. This direct linking is rare but offers unique opportunities to provide training that spans both fundamental and applied research.

Students will also achieve PgDip exit awards during this course.

CAREER PROSPECTS

You will gain core skills and knowledge across a wide range of subjects that will enhance your selection chances for competitive PhD programmes.

In addition to academic options, career opportunities include roles in:

• Zoos
• Environmental consultancies
• Government agencies
• Ecotourism
• Conservation biology
• Veterinary or public health epidemiology.