Recent developments in conservation biology have emphasised the need for conservation scientists to utilise knowledge and practical skills from animal behaviour research to enable us to develop effective solutions to the loss of biodiversity. If you are passionate about animals and their conservation, our exciting Masters course will provide you the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in animal conservation. Through consultation with international conservation organisations our Masters course has been designed to equip graduates with practical and analytical skills that can be applied to solve real world conservation problems.
Our course Animal Behaviour: Applications for Conservation Full-Time at ARU, Anglia Ruskin University begins with intensive technical training in animal behaviour. This is coupled with a Behavioural Ecology and Conservation module, in which you will learn how to select and apply animal behaviour techniques to best effect in many different settings.
During the course, you'll have opportunities to learn more about the methods used in modern conservation, including advanced laboratory techniques, satellite tracking, GIS, stable isotope analysis, DNA analysis and field techniques. You can also choose to go on an exciting residential field trip (usually in Borneo, but this may vary) to explore the issues central to wildlife conservation in situ. Alternatively you may wish to choose to further develop your theoretical and practical skills in the application of DNA technologies, which are widely used in modern conservation and animal behaviour research.
The final stage of your course will be to undertake your own major research project with guidance and support from tutors who are world-class researchers in global change ecology, animal behaviour and welfare, and conservation genetics and evolution.
Aims
Graduates from our course may find employment in the following areas:
- working as a conservation biologist for an NGO or government body
- working as a scientist or curator in a zoo
- working in the area of education
- working in industry (ecotourism, environmental consultancy).
Modules & assessment
Core modules
- Technology and Techniques in the Study of Animal Behaviour
- Current Topics in Wildlife Conservation
- Behavioural Ecology and Conservation
- Communication Skills for Conservation
- Research Methods
- Research Project
Optional modules (subject to availability)
- Practical Applications of DNA Based Technologies
- Study Tour: Understanding Biodiversity and Sustainability
- Animal Communication
- Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare
- Cognition Evolution and Behaviour
- Sustainable Land Management
Assessment
Your work will be assessed in a range of ways to reflect the scope and aims of our course. These include written assignments such as scientific reports and essays, field-work, case studies, group work and presentations.
