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MSc Environmental Bioscience in a Changing Climate

Glacier

The School of Life Sciences has been ranked second in the UK for Agriculture, Food and Veterinary research in the Government's 2014 research ranking exercise. Overall more than 80% of life sciences research was rated as 'World Leading or Internationally Excellent'.

Escalating rates of environmental and climate change are forcing us to re-evaluate our management of agricultural and natural habitats. The competing demands on agricultural land for food production and for bioenergy provision must be reconciled with environmental stewardship and mitigation of climate change.

This MSc provides a timely and integrated perspective on environmental bioscience, management, societal matters and regulation as these relate to issues such as sustainable production of food and provision of ecosystem services.

"Above all else, this course gave me the opportunity to discuss the challenges associated with increasing demand on agricultural land for food production and how these challenges may be overcome. In being able to freely discuss the courses material with each other in class, it lead to both new ways of thinking whilst also reaffirming my enthusiasm for wanting to work within the environmental sector in some capacity."

Henry James

Video courtesy of www.postgraduatesearch.com

Course Structure

You will take 10 core modules, 1 or 2 optional modules and an individual research project, placement or dissertation.

Depending on your academic background you will find elements of some modules harder, or easier, than others.

Assessment

Module assessment is by coursework and exam. Assessment is continuous and varies between modules. It includes:

  • essays
  • seminar presentations
  • practical reports
  • oral evaluation
  • assessed group work

The project will be assessed by a seminar presentation and a dissertation.

Project Dissertation

The research project, placement or dissertation is a substantial piece of original work. The project normally requires 3 months of enquiry and data collection, and one month writing up.

See Teaching and Learning for more information.

Please see our FAQs page for part-time route information.

Career Opportunities

This MSc is for those looking for a research career in environmental bioscience or to improve their employment prospects in governmental or non-governmental organisations concerned with environmental policy development. Graduates could expect to work in areas related to sustainability in farming systems, rural development, environmental management, science communication, policy and consultancy.

Alumni job titles include:
  • Policy Outreach Officer at Climate Change Consortium of Wales
  • Science Editor and Marketing Manager
  • Environmental Marketing Officer
  • Global Sustainability Manager at Molson Coors Brewing
  • Integrated Farm Management promotion for LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming)
  • Environmental and Ecological Consultant at Engineering Services Consultancy Ltd
  • Ecological Project Officer at Middlemarch Environmental Limited
  • Terrestrial Biodiversity Advisor for Natural England

Find out more from our student profiles.

Modules

Core modules

  • Soil sustainability and the Environment
  • Biological Invasions in Changing Environments
  • Biodiversity, Conservation & Ecosystem Services
  • Organic and Low Input Systems
  • Environmental Protection, Risk Assessment & Safety
  • Biosciences, Politics & Social Acceptability
  • Environmental Accounting
  • Climate Change
  • Microbiomics & Metagenomics
  • Challenges of Global Food Security
  • Organic & Low Input Systems
  • Project / Placement

Optional modules

Subject to availability

  • Business Strategy
  • Habitability in the Universe (IATL)
  • Climate Change and Development (Law)
  • Marketing Management
  • Thinking Water (IATL)

Our course and module content and schedule is continually reviewed and updated to reflect the latest research expertise at Warwick. So it is therefore very important that you check back here for the latest information before you apply and when you accept an offer (as set out in our terms and conditions).

Course Summary


Details for 2024 entry can be found here.

Course enquiries


Tel: +44 (0)24 765 23540

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