Course structure
This page reflects the latest version of the curriculum for this year of entry. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about changes we have made.
This course consists of two intensive in person 3-week periods at the Centre for Environmental Policy in South Kensington (one during the first and one during the second term), where students will benefit from seminars, practicals and fieldtrips. The rest of the course is delivered remotely and online, this offers students flexibility and a fantastic opportunity to interact and be taught by world leaders in conservation science and practice from all over the world. Fieldtrips and coursework will give you the opportunity to put your theoretical skills and knowledge into practice, whilst you will also get the chance to conduct an independent research project in an area of your interest in the UK or abroad. Part-time students complete their project in their second year.
Please note that, as a result of these taught remote sessions, our course is currently classified as a blended learning programme. This means the University will be unable to sponsor a student route visa, and that to undertake the face-to-face elements of this degree you will need to enter the UK on a visitor visa https://www.imperial.ac.uk/students/international-students/visas-and-immigration/short-term-study/.
Structure
Compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
You'll take all the modules below.
Introduction to the past, present and future of biodiversity conservation
Gain an understanding of the critical concepts of conservation science, how they developed and how they are used in international conservation efforts.
Navigating the complexities of social-ecological systems
Consider social and ecological processes, system dynamics and feedback loops at local, regional and global scales, and how they influence the effectiveness of potential solutions to environmental problems.
Tracking and understanding outcomes and impacts
Learn to critically assess and evaluate the progress of conservation initiatives through monitoring and evaluation, and impact assessments.
Making effective decisions
Discover techniques for effective decision-making within conservation programmes, including techniques for prioritisation of actions, managing stakeholders, and dealing transparently and ethically with differing expectations and competing values.
Research methods
Build a solid understanding of concepts and quantitative and qualitative methods that provide the foundation for ecological and social research.
Conservation case studies
Explore key conservation challenges and questions the world is facing today, from the role of zoos to biodiversity promotion in urban settings.
Project management and building partnerships
Develop the practical skills to lead, fund, manage and deliver projects to become an effective conservation practitioner and researcher.
Inference and estimation
Learn techniques to make data analysis and literature reviews reproducible and learn a core set of statistical methods used in social and ecological research.
Research project
Research Project
Complete an independent research project in an area of your interest. You may have the opportunity to work with academic research groups or projects supported by external partners or develop your own projects.
The program is one-year, full time. On the part-time version of this course, you'll complete this project in your second year.