Program Overview

Professional/Short Course Conservation Impact

The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) offers a Professional/Short course in Conservation Impact, in partnership with Bristol Zoological Society.

About

This 30-credit level 7 module covers the theoretical and practical elements necessary to design evidence-based, feasible projects that deliver positive conservation impacts. The module includes teaching from conservation practitioners and is supported by case studies, emphasizing the need to use evidence-based approaches to achieve success in conservation projects.

Careers / Further Study

This module can contribute towards the PGCert Health and Social Care, MSc Clinical Practice, and the Professional Development Awards. It can also contribute towards the MSc Conservation Leadership.

Structure

Content

The module syllabus typically includes the following topics:

• History of conservation, lessons learned from past projects (failures and successes)
• Project design, strategic planning, vision and mission
  • Conservation project design
  • Project plan
  • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
  • Logframe design
  • Capacity
  • Project constraints and opportunities
  • Method selection (complexity vs pragmatism in achieving goals in a challenging environment)
• Working with local communities
  • Ethical considerations when working with people
  • Integrating local communities in conservation project
• Situation analysis and Theory of change
  • Threats
  • Contributing factors
  • Drivers of change
• Defining the impact
  • Processes
  • Threats, contributing factors and behaviour results
• Measuring conservation impact
  • Objectives, tolerance, indicators
  • Methods (e.g. population estimate, density, presence/absence, occupancy modelling)
• Adaptations of project to risks
  • Identifying and evaluating risks to project success
  • Priority setting and re-evaluations

Learning and Teaching

This level 7 (Masters level) module will include teaching from conservation practitioners. Content will also be supported by case studies, emphasizing the need to use evidence-based approaches to achieve success in conservation projects. The module will be delivered through a combination of recorded lectures and asynchronous activities, including contributions to forums, wikis, and guided reading. Live, interactive tutorial classes and facilitated group work will also be offered.

Assessment

Assessment for this module comprises a written assignment (1,500 words) involving a grant proposal to assess learning of conservation project design and impact assessment. Formative feedback will be provided, both in the form of peer critical analysis of elements of the draft submission and from the teaching team.

Prices and Dates

The supplementary fee information for this module is Ł1,516.

Features

The College of Health, Science and Society at UWE Bristol and Bristol Zoological Society have excellent reputations for the quality of their teaching and the facilities they provide, including online study skills support and library services.

Course Details

• Course code: USSYHE30M
• Application: University
• Level: Professional/Short Course
• School: School of Applied Sciences
• Duration: Approximately 14 weeks
• Delivery: Online
• Course Director: Dr Aimee Oxley