Quantitative Methods in Biodiversity, Conservation and Epidemiology

Quantitative skills are more in demand that ever, forming an essential basis for successful careers in ecology, conservation, and animal and human health. This Masters programme provides specific training in data collection, modelling and statistical analyses as well as generic research skills. It is offered by the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine (IBAHCM), a grouping of top researchers who focus on combining field data with computational and genetic approaches to solve applied problems in epidemiology and conservation.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).

- Encompasses key skills in monitoring and assessing biodiversity critical for understanding the impacts of environmental change.

- Covers quantitative analyses of ecological and epidemiological data critical for animal health and conservation.

- Opportunity to gain core skills and knowledge across a wide range of subjects, which will enhance future career opportunities, including entrance into competitive PhD programmes.

- Combines advanced statistics and modelling with opportunities to gain practical field skills, expertise in molecular techniques or bioinformatics tools for assessing biodiversity.

- Understand disease ecology, in the context of wildlife, animal health and implications for human public health.

- Base your independent research project at either the University Field Station on Loch Lomond (for freshwater or terrestrial-based projects); Millport field station on the Isle of Cumbrae (for marine projects); or Cochno Farm and Research Centre in Glasgow (for research based on farm animals).

- Taught by research-active staff using the latest approaches in quantitative methods, sequence analysis, and practical approaches to assessing biodiversity, and you will have opportunities to actively participate in internationally recognised research.

- A unique strength is strong ties between veterinarians and ecologists, which has now been formalised in the formation of the IBAHCM. This direct linking is rare but offers unique opportunities to provide training that spans both fundamental and applied research.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The programme provides a strong grounding in scientific writing and communication, statistical analysis, and experimental design. It is designed for flexibility, to enable you to customise a portfolio of courses suited to your particular interests.

You can choose from a range of specialised options that encompass key skills in
- monitoring and assessing biodiversity – critical for understanding the impacts of environmental change

- quantitative analyses of ecological and epidemiological data – critical for animal health and conservation

Additional options are available from the other Masters programmes offered by our Insitute, providing access to courses on a wide range of topics from animal ethics and legislative policy to African conservation and antimicrobial resistance. A total of 180 credits are required, with 60 flexible credits in the second term. See the accompanying detailed course descriptions found in the IBAHCM Programme Overview.

Term 1 Core Courses:
KEY RESEARCH SKILLS (40 credits)
PROGRAMMING IN R (20 credits)

Term 2 Optional Courses:
Students must select at least 4 courses from list 1 and can choose the remaining 2 courses from either list 1 or list 2.

List 1:
SPATIAL ECOLOGY
INFECTIOUS DISEASE ECOLOGY AND THE DYNAMICS OF EMERGING DISEASE
BIODIVERSITY INFORMATICS
SINGLE SPECIES MODELS
CONSERVATION GENETICS
INTRODUCTION TO BAYESIAN STATISTICS
MULTI SPECIES MODELS
MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PHYLODYNAMICS
ECONOMIC TOOLS FOR CONSERVATION

List 2:
See course page.

Term 3: Core MSc Component
RESEARCH PROJECT

Examples of publications lead by students in the programme can be found on the course page.