Ecology and Environment

School of Biosciences, Faculty of Science

Further your understanding of how we maintain ecosystems in the face of
environmental change with our uniquely research-focussed course.
Course description
Biodiversity is threatened by climate change and other consequences of the
growing human population. To solve this, and some of the other global
challenges facing humanity, we need researchers with an in-depth
understanding of how we maintain ecosystems in the face of environmental
change.
Our world-class research in this area spans topics including global
change ecology, biodiversity science, tropical forest conservation,
palaeoecology and palynology, urban ecology, environmental pollution, and
agricultural ecology, giving students on this course the opportunity to carry
out cutting-edge research in their chosen area.
Research experience
This research-focused course allows you to spend an academic year
embedded in one of our research groups, working alongside students and
staff who are at the forefront of their research field.
Throughout your course, you’ll develop your research skills, giving you the
opportunity to contribute new knowledge in your chosen area.
Whether you complete your research in the field, the lab or in industry, in
the UK or abroad, you’ll be provided with a research budget for your project.
Previous students have conducted fieldwork in locations including Brazil,
South Africa and Sweden as well as closer to home in the wonderful Peak
District National Park on our doorstep.
Example research projects include:
 Impacts of selective logging on the morphology of neotropical
butterflies
 A DNA-based assessment of Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra, numbers and
seasonal movement in the Peak District
 Partitioning the effects of vertical relief and refuge on coral reef fish
community structure
How to apply
Because of the research-intensive nature of this course, we ask you to
include a short supporting statement of 500-700 words with your
application. This should:
 Explain how your interests and experience relate to the ecology and
environment research we do in the School of Biosciences.
 Explain why you want to do a research-intensive masters degree and
how this fits with your career plans.
  Include which particular supervisors or research groups you would be
most interested in working with and why. If you have already been in
contact with a prospective supervisor, please let us know.
Please submit your application by 15 August if you require a student
visa and by 31 August if you do not require a visa.