Outline

The MSc in Conservation Biology at DICE is distinctive in that it takes an interdisciplinary approach and is international in its outlook. The programme covers the biological, economic, legal, political and social aspects of biodiversity conservation and how these operate at the global level. The programme is designed for wildlife officers and administrators with practical experience in international conservation work which they want to reinforce with formal scientific training, and for students with academic qualifications in other subjects wanting to retrain for a new career in conservation.

Programme structure

The six Master's offered by DICE follow a common pattern, with six months of coursework and five months on a research project. All students follow a common core programme in the first term, before specialising in Conservation Biology, Conservation and Tourism, Conservation and Rural Development, Conservation and International Wildlife Trade, Conservation and Biodiversity Law or Conservation Project Management. Within each of these six programmes, there are optional modules that allow students the flexibility to devise a pathway that suits their specific interests and contains an appropriate balance between natural and social sciences. Please visit our website for new programmes that may be under development that further integrate conservation and management.

In exceptional circumstances, DICE admits applicants without a first degree if their professional career and experience shows academic achievement of a high enough standard.

Common core modules for all MSc courses:

• Foundations of Natural Science for Conservation
• Social Science Perspectives on Conservation
• Research Methods for Natural Sciences
• Research Methods for Social Sciences.

Plus three from the following:

• Advanced Topics in Ecology
• Biodiversity Preservation in International Law and Policy
• Conservation and Community Development
• Economics of Biodiversity Conservation
• Ecotourism and Rural Development Field Course
• Facilitation Skills for Conservation Managers
• Integrated Species Conservation and Management
• International Wildlife Trade
• Leadership Skills for Conservation Managers
• Managing Protected Areas
• Population and Evolutionary Biology
• Principles and Practice of Ecotourism
• Special Topics in Conservation
• Trade, Economics, Regulation and the Environment.

(Students may also take an appropriate module from outside DICE subject to approval; modules on offer may vary from year to year and depend on the programme of study. For the MSc Conservation and Biodiversity Law programme, modules in environmental law are also available within the Kent Law School.)

Course content

You take the common modules and electives as listed above plus:

• Population and Evolutionary Biology (core module)
• Dissertation project.

For further information see the School site.

Funding

DICE postgraduate students have received funding from bodies such as the African Wildlife Foundation, WWF and the Wildlife Conservation Society. International students taking one-year taught programmes can apply for Chevening Scholarships offered through the British Council or the British High Commission.

University research studentships are available to the School of Anthropology and Conservation, for the support of two PhD candidates in any one of three broad fields: social anthropology, biological anthropology or biodiversity conservation. These studentships are for three years and cover fees at the home rate and a stipend up to the UK Research Councils' level of £13,590 (2011/12 rate).

The School also offers scholarships in the form of Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) whereby postgraduate research students receive financial support in return for teaching. The value of awards may vary, but often cover tuition fees at the home/EU rate and a substantial maintenance grant.

All postgraduate research students are eligible to apply for GTAs. See Graduate Teaching Assistantships.

The School of Anthropology and Conservation has been highly successful in attracting NERC and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) studentships in the past and the University of Kent was selected as one of four Universities constituting the ESRC South East Doctoral Training Centre (DTC).

Details of all these funding opportunities can also be found on our website.

For further information about sources of financial support for postgraduate students, see Postgraduate funding.

Further information:

• Scholarships website
• Funding website
• Finance Office

Resources and facilities

DICE has various long-term study sites around the world, and maintains an ecology field trials area and field laboratory on the University campus.

DICE is part of the School of Anthropology and Conservation, which is well equipped with computing facilities and research laboratories for ethnobotany, biological anthropology, molecular genetics and ecology.

Further information:

• School website
• Canterbury campus

Staff research

Dr Peter Bennett: Reader in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Ecology
Evolution, ecology and conservation of birds; biodiversity hotspots; life history evolution and extinction risk; marine mammals; wildlife disease.

Dr Ian Bride: Lecturer in Biodiversity Management
Conservation education; biodiversity managment; PA and visitor management; nature tourism; guidng and interpretation; community-based conservation; and restoration ecology.

Dr Richard Bodmer: Reader in Conservation Ecology
Population dynamics and community ecology of rainforest mammals; community-based conservation, sustainable use, wildlife management in tropical ecosystems.

Dr Zoe Davies: Lecturer in Biodiversity Conservation
Range edge population dynamics; species responses to climate change; conservation finance and investment; urban ecology; ecosystem service provision; landscape and spatial ecology.

Professor Richard Griffiths: Professor of Biological Conservation
Ecology and conservation of amphibians and reptiles; effects of environmental change on threatened species; survey and monitoring protocols for biodiversity.

Dr Jim Groombridge: Senior Lecturer in Biodiversity Conservation
Conservation of highly threatened bird species; conservation genetics of small populations; parrot conservation, genetics and biogeography.

Professor Stuart Harrop: Professor of Wildlife Management Law
Law and policy relating to conservation, biodiversity and genetic resources; rights of indigenous people; intellectual property

Professor Douglas MacMillan: Professor of Conservation and Applied Resource Economics
Economics and wildlife conservation; environmental modelling; economics of collaboration in land and wildlife management; forest resource economics.

Dr Helen Newing: Lecturer in Biodiversity Conservation
The effects of conservation and protected areas on rural development; participatory approaches to natural resource use; the role of NGOs; conservation and tourism.

Dr David Roberts: Lecturer in Biodiversity Conservation
Species detectability and extinction, and orchid ecology; the response of orchids to climate change; epiphyte community ecology and modelling epiphyte seed dispersal.

Dr Thomas Roberts: DICE Research Fellow
Human-environment relations; public perceptions of the environment; designation of marine protected areas; development of low carbon energy tecnologies; common pool resource theory; social capital; and risk society.

Dr Matt Struebig: DICE Research Fellow
Mammal responses to environmental change; oil palm and biodiversity; identifying areas of High Conservation Value.

Dr Joseph Tzanopoulos: Lecturer in Biodiversity Conservation
Biodiversity conservatioun; plant ecology; reconciling biodiversity conservation and sustianable development in rural areas; impacts of land-use changes on mountain and island ecosystems; pollination networks; and scenario analysis.

Further information:

• School website
• School staff profiles

Contact details

Admissions enquiries

T: +44 (0)1227 827272
E: information@kent.ac.uk

Subject enquiries

Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology,
School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NR, UK
T: +44 (0)1227 827928
F: +44 (0)1227 827289
E: anthro-office@kent.ac.uk

Further information:

• School website
• Graduate School

Find out more

• School website
• Staff profiles
• Graduate School
• Open Days
• Order or download a prospectus