Master of Science in Conservation Biology

The programme is intended to enhance the knowledge and skills of forestry, wildlife and environmental professionals with specialist knowledge and competencies in management and conservation of ecosystems and wildlife species. These professionals are expected to play an advisory and leadership role in the management of species conservation, ecosystem restoration, environmental protection and wildlife management. The programme will prepare the students in conducting research, developing skills, planning conservation programmes and making decisions in management and conservation of species. The programme will also help develop the capacity of the students in research skills through independent research and critical thinking by conducting problem-based research in the field of their interest or based on the needs of the organization who sponsored their study. Students can conduct research in a wide spectrum of topics related to species conservation, wildlife management, impact of climate variability on species, restoration ecology, habitat assessment and management, ecosystem restoration, and wildlife genetics among others.

Objectives

Master of Science in Conservation Biology aims at training professionals in making evidence-based decisions in conservation of species, wildlife management, and ecosystem and environment management.

Curriculum Structure

Master of Science in Conservation Biology is a research-based programme consisting of research publication(s) and a Dissertation component. The programme is a 2-year full time programme compromising 240 credits. However, the credits are assigned only to the taught modules in Semester I of Year I with 15 credits each. Four mandatory foundational modules of 15 credits each are taught, which add to a total of 60 credits in Semester I. At the end of Semester I, students will defend their Research Proposal in a Seminar format, which will be audited and their candidature confirmed by the Confirmation Panel. The remainder one and half years will be devoted to conducting research, including collecting and analysing data, writing and publication of papers, and writing Dissertation.

During the entire duration of the programme, students may accumulate additional credits by attending bridging courses, presenting papers and posters in seminars and conferences, attending virtual/blended learning seminars/conferences, and attending short courses from universities within and outside the country.

In the final semester, students will develop a Master’s dissertation and defend it. Dissertation could be either in the form of a Thesis by publication (collection of published articles by the candidate) or a Monograph (a specialist work of writing on a single subject or an aspect of a subject). Students will have to provide evidence of having published or accepted an article for publication by a peer-reviewed journal before registering for the Thesis defense.

Year

Semester

Modules

Module Code

Credit

I

I

Wildlife and Conservation Biology

CON505

15

Research Methods*

RES502

15

Scientific Writing and Communication

ACS502

15

Applied Statistics*

STS502

15

Proposal Defense

SEM501

Audit

II

Seminar I

SEM501

Audit

Field Research

II

I

Seminar II

SEM501

Audit

Field Research

II

Seminar III

SEM603

Audit

Dissertation

DST501

Total Credits

60

Note: For further details and fee structure contact Dean of Research and Industrial Linkages at + 975 2 376249 or send email enquiry.