School of Anthropology & Conservation

Excellence in diversity Global in reach


 

 

MSc in Conservation & Plant Science

Not available 2013/14: Unique programme focussing on plant conservation

 

Global biodiversity is under significant pressure, none more so than plants, with 27-33% thought to be threatened with extinction. More than 400,000 species of plants are thought to exist with many facing extinction without having ever been discovered. As primary producers much of the Earth's biodiversity is total dependent on plants which account for >99.9% of living biomass. This programme provides students with a knowledge base and the practical experience to address issues relating to plant biodiversity conservation and management, and includes a one-week residential module at the world famous Millennium Seed Bank.

 

Apply online

 

 

The Academic Programme

Qualifications in Conservation are:

  • MSc (normally taken over one year full-time, but is also available part-time over two years by arrangement with the Director of Graduate Studies)

This programme is a modular degree comprising six months of coursework, followed by a five-month research project.

Most modules are assessed by coursework assignments and short class tests.

All students undertake a relevant research project, over five months. Students will have the opportunity to develop their own ideas for the research project, or alternatively, participate in an international conservation project run by DICE or one of its partners. The project is written up in the form of a research paper for publication rather than a lengthy thesis-style report. DICE is active in encouraging its mission in the selection of research topics so that the programme remains truly international in outlook and interdisciplinary in focus.

The assessed taught programme extends over a total of 24 weeks. Study on the programmes is divided into a number of blocks called modules with a number of credits indicated in the table below.  One credit corresponds to approximately ten hours of “learning time”.  This includes all taught and supervised classes and all private study and research.

The programme is divided into two stages, the first (taught programme) comprising 120 credits and the second stage (research dissertation) comprising 60 credits.  Thus the programme involves approximately 1800 hours of “learning time”. Students must achieve specified requirements before being permitted to proceed from Stage 1 (terms 1 and 2) to Stage 2 (term 3).

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Core Modules

The core modules for all DICE MSc Programmes are:

  • DI884 Research methods for natural sciences
  • DI876 Research methods for social sciences
  • DI998 Dissertation project - Conservation

Plus for Conservation and Plant Science:

  • DI891 Ecology of Plant Conservation

Also highly recommend the following optional module:

  • DI890 Seed Conservation for Restoration
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Entry Requirements

All entrants must comply with the standard University of Kent entrance requirements, including the English language requirements (see University prospectus for current requirements). In addition, entrants must meet one or more of the following:

• A first class or good second class honours degree in a relevant discipline.

• A good honours degree in other subjects together with relevant practical experience.

• Applicants may also be admitted without a first degree if their professional career has been such as to allow them to pursue the course and study and achieve the necessary academic standard.

Applications are made online.

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School of Anthropology and Conservation - © University of Kent

School of Anthropology and Conservation, Marlowe Building, The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NR, T: +44 (0)1227 827056

Last Updated: 15/05/2013