Marine Ecosystem Management (MSc) 2021 entry
This MSc provides students with a superior understanding of marine systems, exploring the interconnections between the physical environment, biodiversity and the impacts of human activities. Taught by leading experts from the Scottish Oceans Institute, it is designed to prepare students for professional careers in research and management.
Key information
Course type
Postgraduate, leading to a Master of Science (MSc)
Course dates
- Start date: 6 September 2021
- End date: 30 September 2022
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.
Course duration
One year full time
Entry requirements
- A first or upper 2.1 (Honours) undergraduate degree in a relevant natural science. Applications are welcome from students with backgrounds in biology or marine science, and also from students of physics and engineering. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
- Training in advanced mathematics and statistics (at least to UK school AS/A-level, Higher, International Baccalaureate or equivalent).
- Very good baseline IT skills including word-processing, spreadsheet use, email and internet.
- English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications. If you require a visa to study, see visas information.
Please contact the School if you are unsure about your qualifications.
In addition to the above minimum requirements, it is highly desirable for applicants to have:
- relevant field or lab experience from previous employment, project or volunteer work
- further IT skills, e.g. programming, database software and statistical packages for analysing (such as MATLAB, SPSS, SAS or R)
- dedicated calculus or statistics modules at university level.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Tuition fees
Home: £9,900
Overseas: £24,240
Application deadline
Friday 30 July 2021. Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships and for international visa purposes.
Application requirements
- CV
- completed supplementary Marine Ecosystem Management MSc application form - 2021 entry (Word)
- two original signed academic references
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
- evidence of English language proficiency (required if English is not your first language).
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
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Course information
The MSc in Marine Ecosystem Management is a one-year taught programme run by the School of Biology. The programme takes a holistic approach to understanding ecosystem function and services, and draws on the quantitative and diverse academic expertise within the University's Scottish Oceans Institute (SOI).
Highlights
- Modules include intense training in quantitative techniques (for example, statistical modelling and GIS).
- Students have the exciting opportunity to conduct fieldwork and practical boat-based training, locally as part of a core module (included in course fee), and further afield as part of optional field courses (extra cost applicable) in Antarctica (polar ecology) or Indonesia (scientific diving).
- Core modules in marine ecosystem function and management are complemented by a selection from optional modules including biologging, population biology, fisheries research, and estimating abundance.
- Stimulating, small class sizes with a focus on student-led, experiential learning.
Teaching format
The course consists of two taught semesters and an independent research project finishing in a written dissertation and poster presentation. The research project takes place during the entire year with particular focus during the last three months from June to August.
The modular curriculum is designed to be coherent, providing integrated training for future careers in scientific research, management or conservation. Teaching takes the form of:
- lectures
- seminars
- debates
- workshops
- tutorials.
Practicals involve lab work, field work, modelling and computer-based data analysis.
Class sizes usually range from 5 to 30 students, depending on the module. There is a strong focus on small-group teaching so that students are individually supported and can ask for help when it is needed.
Modules
The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue which is for the 2020–2021 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2021 entry.
During Semester 1, students follow a coherent course of modules that provides sound training in essential skills for managing marine ecosystems. The first semester combines two compulsory modules with a choice of one of two further optional modules.
- Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: provides core biological and methodological classes covering marine biodiversity and ecosystem function, their importance and evaluation; module involves local boat-based data collection and analysis.
- Mathematical and Statistical Modelling for Biologists: applies mathematical ideas to questions in biology and introduces methods for fitting models to biological data mainly using R software.
In addition, students choose one optional module from the following:
- Environmental Drivers of Marine Habitats: gives an overview of the different environmental drivers of marine ecosystems, including shorter-term processes in the ocean and atmosphere, as well as climatic processes that define marine habitats.
- Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Management: provides an introduction to GIS and its use in environmental problem solving.
Semester 2 combines one compulsory module with a choice of three optional modules.
The following module is compulsory:
- Ecosystem-based Management of Marine Systems: introduces the concept of 'ecosystem-based management', exploring its development from more simplistic, single-species approaches.
Students choose three optional modules. Here is a sample of optional modules that may be offered.
- Current Issues in Biologging: presents an introduction to the theory and practice of logging and relaying physical and biological data using animal-attached tags.
- Estimating Animal Abundance and Biodiversity: introduces the main types of survey methods for wildlife populations.
- Fisheries Research: provides an introduction to the utilisation of fish stocks in a sustainable way.
- Population Biology: covers the essentials of population dynamics and population modelling including population genetics, trophic interactions and spatial dynamics.
- Predator Ecology in Polar Ecosystems: field course located in southern Argentina and Antarctica (requires payment of an expedition fee which covers all costs, including travel and accommodation). See the students' Antarctic expedition blog.
- Scientific Diving: field course located in Indonesia (requires suitable diving qualifications and payment of expedition fee).
Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered; some may only allow limited numbers of students (see the University’s position on curriculum development).
Throughout the academic year, students complete a research project which will culminate in a written dissertation and the presentation of a poster at the MSc student conference. Projects may involve some fieldwork but will be primarily focused on the analysis of existing data. Students can choose from a range of projects suggested by supervisors and also take an active role in designing their own project plan.
If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MSc, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MSc.
The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2021 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.
Conferences and events
The MSc is enhanced by a busy programme of conferences, seminars and visiting speakers from universities in the UK and abroad. This includes regular departmental seminars in the Scottish Oceans Institute, the Centre for Research in Ecological and Environmental Modelling and the St Andrews BioNetwork, a great social and academic forum bringing together PhD and Masters students at different stages of their training.
Check out the Marine Ecosystem Management Masters blog for programme news and highlights as well as the research blog for up-to-date information and events.
Funding
Recent Graduate Discount
The University of St Andrews offers a 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees to students who are eligible to graduate or who have graduated from St Andrews within the last three academic years and are starting a postgraduate programme with the University of St Andrews.
After the MSc
Research degrees
Many MSc graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere. PhD students at the School of Biology at St Andrews have the opportunity to undertake a research degree in their chosen subject area where research interests span the breadth of biological science.
Careers
The aim is that graduates of this course will be part of the next generation of managers and marine scientists delivering integrated ecosystem management around the world.
Graduates of the course have undertaken careers in government agencies, environmental consultancies and the commercial marine sector, both within the UK and abroad.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.
"The Marine Ecosystem Management course really treats you like an early-career scientist in training. You grow so much, especially in your quantitative skills with R, GIS, and MATLAB after the first two semesters. On top of that, the course contextualises ecological concepts with real-life management happening in places like Scotland, the North Sea and Antarctica. The staff are open and friendly and there are lots of opportunities to learn by proxy from seminars and research groups."
- Hong Kong
Contact
General inquiries
Biology postgraduate taught secretaries
Katrina Gatherum and Louise Docherty
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3441
Email: pgtaughtbiology@st-andrews.ac.uk
Course organiser
Dr Lars Boehme
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2677
Email: lb284@st-andrews.ac.uk
Policies
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our admissions policy.
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online.
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online.