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  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
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  • Biomedical Sciences
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  • Business and Management

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  • Classics and Classical Studies
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  • Economics
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  • Environment

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  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

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  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

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  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
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  • Creative Enterprise
  • Creative Writing

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  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Sciences
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  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

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  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
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  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

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  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teacher training
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

MSc Species Identification and Survey Skills

  • Year of entry
    2023/24 See 2022/23 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months
  • Year of entry
    2023/24 See 2022/23 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months

COVID-19 update


Find out how we're adapting during COVID-19.

Gain industry-relevant knowledge and practical skills with our hands-on MSc Species Identification and Survey Skills degree.

This course will provide all you need to work in the competitive consultancy and conservation sectors. To achieve this, the School of Biological Sciences has teamed up with ecological consultants at RSK Group Ltd since 2011, and more recently with Aspect Ecology, to deliver a course that provides the skills and knowledge demanded by these industries.

You’ll participate in hands-on and field-based training and, in addition to the taught component of your degree, you’ll have the opportunity to embark on a six-month work placement with a leading ecological consultancy. A bursary for this period is provided by the employer. 

A new feature of this programme is our module on molecular species identification and surveying. On this module, you’ll learn about the molecular methods used to survey and identify species, and you’ll also get practical experience in designing, collecting, processing and analysing environmental samples. 

More than half of all credits on this programme are overseen by consultants when you choose to take a placement, making this course unique in the UK.

Read more about MSc Species Identification and Survey Skills. 

Overview

Gain industry-relevant knowledge and practical skills with our hands-on MSc Species Identification and Survey Skills degree.

This course will provide all you need to work in the competitive consultancy and conservation sectors. To achieve this, the School of Biological Sciences has teamed up with ecological consultants at RSK Group Ltd since 2011, and more recently with Aspect Ecology, to deliver a course that provides the skills and knowledge demanded by these industries.

You’ll participate in hands-on and field-based training and, in addition to the taught component of your degree, you’ll have the opportunity to embark on a six-month work placement with a leading ecological consultancy. A bursary for this period is provided by the employer. 

A new feature of this programme is our module on molecular species identification and surveying. On this module, you’ll learn about the molecular methods used to survey and identify species, and you’ll also get practical experience in designing, collecting, processing and analysing environmental samples. 

More than half of all credits on this programme are overseen by consultants when you choose to take a placement, making this course unique in the UK.

Read more about MSc Species Identification and Survey Skills. 

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for 2023/24 have not yet been set. For your reference, entry requirements for 2022/23 were:

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5 (or equivalent)

Entry requirements: Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (2:1 or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK, in a related subject such as biological sciences, geographical sciences, agricultural sciences or environmental sciences, but each application will be considered individually.

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score, you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1

Compulsory modules include:

X

Module details


Title:

Animal Survey and Assessment

Code:

BIMASA

Convenor:

DR Manuela Gonzalez-Suarez

Summary:

This module aims to provide students with an understanding and practical experience of the methods used to survey and monitor animal populations (vertebrates and invertebrates). Emphasis is on species found in the UK and routinely involved in conservation and consultancy projects. The module will cover material on general biology and ecology of different animal species, and provide context for how survey and monitoring contribute to biodiversity assessment and conservation strategies.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Botanical Field Skills

Code:

BIMBFS

Convenor:

DR Jonathan Mitchley

Summary:

This module introduces students to field botanical skills and the common families of vascular plants and orders of bryophytes in the UK, it develops practical identification skills and the use of keys and other advanced aids to the identification of plants including herbarium skills.  The module develops understanding of the biogeography and ecology of plants and vegetation and it introduces the methodology of Phase 2 NVC survey in the UK.

Assessment Method:

Practical 20%, Set exercise 20%, Report 20%, Class test 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Ecological Consultancy Skills

Code:

BIMECS

Convenor:

DR Jonathan Mitchley

Summary:

This module develops key professional skills associated with the office-based elements of ecological consultancy. The module introduces the ecological consultancy industry (how it works, what it does and why it is needed), covers relevant wildlife legislation and planning policy, background data searches, development planning, project management and project tendering.  It explains some of the current biodiversity assessment tools employed by the industry including landscape ecological analysis, ecological impact assessment, biodiversity net gain and ecosystem services.  It also covers practical techniques such as GIS, Remote Sensing and quantitative analysis of ecological data.

Assessment Method:

Set exercise 50%, Report 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Molecular Methods for Species Identification and Survey

Code:

BIMMSIS

Convenor:

DR Hyun Soon Gweon

Summary:

This module will provide students with molecular techniques used to identify and survey species. The module will cover the basics of molecular biology to the modern molecular techniques which are increasingly becoming an important tool for environmental monitoring and survey.

Assessment Method:

Oral 20%, Report 80%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Environmental Consultancy

Code:

GVMENVC

Convenor:

DR Udeme Dickson

Summary:

You will work in a team of students to deliver an Environmental Consultancy project for a client which will involve planning and executing a sampling strategy, collecting primary data, plotting spatial data, interpreting the data to make recommendations, writing a consultancy-style report, and presenting findings to an expert panel.

You will benefit from a genuine environmental consultancy experience that can be used as a convincing case study to demonstrate competencies to future employers.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 60%, Oral 25%, Set exercise 15%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Code Module Convenor
BIMASA Animal Survey and Assessment DR Manuela Gonzalez-Suarez
BIMBFS Botanical Field Skills DR Jonathan Mitchley
BIMECS Ecological Consultancy Skills DR Jonathan Mitchley
BIMMSIS Molecular Methods for Species Identification and Survey DR Hyun Soon Gweon
GVMENVC Environmental Consultancy DR Udeme Dickson

Optional modules include:

X

Module details


Title:

MSc SISS Placement

Code:

BIMPLACS

Convenor:

DR Jonathan Mitchley

Summary:

This module provides the student with the opportunity to carry out work with a professional Ecological Consultancy. The student will work as directed by the consultant, carrying out surveys, tendering for projects, writing reports etc.  To achieve these ends the student will need to draw on much of the material learned during the preceding two terms.

Assessment Method:

Practical 40%, Oral 20%, Portfolio 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Research Project (SISS)

Code:

BIMRPS

Convenor:

DR Alastair Culham

Summary:

This module provides the student with the opportunity to carry out some original research into some aspect of ecology and conservation, including literature review and assessment of methodology. To formulate questions that can be answered within scientific methodology. To report and discuss results in a standard form suitable for scientific publication.

Assessment Method:

Dissertation 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Code Module Convenor
BIMPLACS MSc SISS Placement DR Jonathan Mitchley
BIMRPS Research Project (SISS) DR Alastair Culham

These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £12,100

New international students: £25,800

Tuition fee information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

All our master’s programmes emphasise the practical skills that employers need, whether that is the ability to identify plants, carry out environmental assessments or use the latest cutting-edge molecular techniques. As a University of Reading MSc graduate, you will be well equipped to work in the field or the lab, and in the private or public sector. Many of our graduates go on to study for a PhD and pursue a career in research, either in industry or in universities.

Typical roles of graduates from our ecology and wildlife-based MSc programmes include conservation officers, project managers, field ecologists and environmental consultants. Graduates from our biomedical MSc programme typically go on to pursue PhD studies or work in the pharmaceutical industry.

Close contact with lecturers who are national experts in their fields and professionals working for successful companies has made postgraduate studies at the University of Reading better than I could ever have expected.

James Howsam
MSc Species Identification and Survey Skills

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Related Subjects


  • Biological Sciences
  • Animal Sciences
  • Microbiology
  • Zoology

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