MSc Marine Ecosystem Management

• A first or 2.1 (Honours) undergraduate degree in a relevant natural science. Other scientific, engineering or mathematics degrees may be acceptable. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
• Training in advanced mathematics and statistics (at least to UK school AS/A-level, Higher, International Baccalaureate or equivalent).
• Very good baseline IT skills including word-processing, spreadsheet use, email and internet.

English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications. If you require a visa to study, see visas information.
Please contact the School if you are unsure about your qualifications.

In addition to the above minimum requirements, it is highly desirable for applicants to have:

• relevant field or lab experience from previous employment, project or volunteer work
• further IT skills, e.g. programming, database software and statistical packages for analysing (such as MATLAB, SPSS, SAS or R)
• dedicated calculus or statistics modules at university level.

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

• CV 
• completed supplementary Marine Ecosystem Management MSc application form (Word)
• two original signed academic references 
• academic transcripts and degree certificates

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more

The aim is that graduates of this course will be part of the next generation of managers and marine scientists delivering integrated ecosystem management around the world.  

Graduates of the course have undertaken careers in government agencies, environmental consultancies and the commercial marine sector, both within the UK and abroad.  

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

During Semester 1, students follow a coherent course of modules that provides sound training in essential skills for managing marine ecosystems. The first semester includes two compulsory modules.

• Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function: provides core biological and methodological classes covering environmental drivers, marine biodiversity and ecosystem function, their importance and evaluation; module involves local boat-based data collection and analysis, including an introduction to Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Management. 
• Mathematical and statistical modelling for Biologists: applies mathematical ideas to questions in biology and introduces methods for fitting models to biological data mainly using R software. 

Semester 2 combines two compulsory module with a choice of two optional modules. 

The following modules are compulsory: 

• Ecosystem-based Management of Marine Systems: introduces the concept of 'ecosystem-based management', exploring its development from more simplistic, single-species approaches. 
• Marine Conservation Case Study: explores in detail the ecological and socio-economical issues and approaches to managing stakeholder interests in a local marine ecosystem (with field day trips).  

Students choose two optional modules. Here is a sample of optional modules that may be offered. 

• Current Issues in Biologging: presents an introduction to the theory and practice of logging and relaying physical and biological data using animal-attached tags. 
• Estimating Animal Abundance and Biodiversity: introduces the main types of survey methods for wildlife populations.  
  Fisheries Research: provides an introduction to the utilisation of fish stocks in a sustainable way. 
• Population Biology: covers the essentials of population dynamics and population modelling including population genetics, trophic interactions and spatial dynamics.
• Predator Ecology in Polar Ecosystems - Antarctica: theoretical and practical field course including a vessel-based trip to Antarctica (requires payment of an expedition fee, offered only if international travel conditions allow). 
• Scientific Diving: field course at a tropical diving location (requires suitable diving qualifications and payment of expedition fee, offered only if international travel conditions allow).

Research Project

Throughout the academic year, students complete a research project which will culminate in a written dissertation and the presentation of a poster at the MSc student conference. Projects may involve some fieldwork but will be primarily focused on the analysis of existing data. Students can choose from a range of projects suggested by supervisors and also take an active role in designing their own project plan. 

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MSc, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MSc.