MSc Wildlife Conservation & Management

Program Overview

The MSc Wildlife Conservation and Management program at UCD provides a comprehensive grounding in wildlife conservation and management, emphasizing agri-environmental food security and integrating zoonotic epidemiology. Graduates are well-equipped for careers in environmental organizations, government agencies, and NGOs, and may also pursue PhD studies. The program combines theoretical knowledge, practical field skills, and a focus on maximizing the health and well-being of humans, animals, and the environment through UCD's One Health paradigm.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MSc Wildlife Conservation and Management is a postgraduate program designed for students seeking a career in the agricultural and environmental sciences, with a particular focus on sustainable wildlife resource management within rural landscapes. The program emphasizes global wildlife conservation and management, equipping students with a deep understanding of scientific principles relevant to solving agri-environmental food security concerns. It uniquely integrates wildlife conservation principles with zoonotic epidemiology to effectively manage wildlife populations and ecosystem health.

Objectives:

The program aims to:

• Develop students' ability to provide natural science solutions within a theoretical and social context.
• Equip graduates with a range of skills and experience to make them highly employable.
• Foster self-motivation and critical thinking in graduates.
• Provide a deeper understanding of scientific principles relevant to solving agri-environmental food security concerns.
• Integrate the principles of wildlife conservation and zoonotic epidemiology to underpin the effective management of wildlife populations and ecosystem health.

Teaching:

• The program incorporates contributions from national and international experts in wildlife conservation and management.
• Students have the opportunity to visit current conservation and management projects in Ireland to acquire applied field skills.
• The program utilizes individual and group work assignments to develop individual, teamwork, and leadership skills.
• A major study project undertaken in the Summer Trimester allows students to put their skills into practice.

Careers:

• Graduates are well-prepared for a range of employment opportunities in government departments, local authorities, county councils, environmental protection agencies, and national and international NGOs.
• Suitable candidates may progress to PhD study.
• Potential graduate roles include:
• Environmental Consultant
• Conservation Officer
• Policy Officer
• Conservation Manager
• Park Ranger

Other:

• The MSc is set within the UCD One Health paradigm in an agricultural context, recognizing that approximately 60% of land use in Ireland and 50% of the globe's land use is devoted to farming.
• The vision of UCD One Health is to maximize the health and well-being of humans, animals, and the environment through academic excellence, collaborative research, education, and outreach.
• Core elements of the program include:
• Literature review and knowledge assimilation
• Core lab, field, and IT skills (including the use of GIS and remote sensing software)
• Experimental/survey design and quantitative data analysis
• Written and verbal communication skills
• The program values the functional benefits of biological diversity and natural ecological processes within managed ecosystems.

MSc Wildlife Conservation & Management (D027) Full Time EU € 10174.5 per year nonEU € 29100 per year