General information
This programme has been designed to balance the latest in ecological theory with practical application in both freshwater and marine systems. Students will take part in three residential field-courses (Western Isles of Scotland, Dorset, and Cumbria) for practical ‘hands-on’ training.
Our Aquatic Ecology by Research programme provides comprehensive practical training by application in the laboratory or field, rather than by formal tuition in the lecture theatre. The format is designed to equip you with the skills and experience to undertake further academic or applied research.
Students will be co-supervised by either established PhD students or a potential employer organisation and encouraged to publish their project work. Students will have access to ‘state of the art’ analytical research facilities within the Centre for the Aquatic and Terrestrial Environment, developed from an initial investment by SRIF of £3 million. Students will also have access to the Freshwater Biological Association’s River Laboratory on the River Frome in Dorset, via the River Communities Group, and to mesocosm and temperature controlled facilities at QMUL.
Students will take three taught modules and conduct a nine month extended project. The extended project is an integral part of this programme and will provide students with the skills required to undertake further academic or applied research. During the research project you will be co-supervised by either established PhD students or by potential employer organisations. You will also be encouraged to publish your project work.
Structure
Students will take three core modules and an associated one-week residential field training course taught by experts in aquatic ecology from the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences and the School of Geography. The core modules are:
- Ecosystem Structure and Function
- Aquatic Systems: Hydrological, Hydrochemical and Geomorphological Processes
- Statistics and Bioinformatics
Teaching is by a mixture of formal lectures and small group seminars. The seminars are designed to generate informed discussion around set topics, and may involve student presentations, group exercise and role-play as well as open discussion.
Project
In addition to three taught modules, students will conduct a 9 month extended project aligned to one of the following active research areas:
- Impacts of invasive species, particularly crayfish or amphipods, on UK waters
- Climate change and sentinel species / ecosystems
- Methane and its role in food webs
- Biogeochemical cycling and up / downwelling in lotic ecosystems
- Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
- Physiology of aquatic organisms in a changing climate
- Conservation genetics for species management
Research and teaching
Students will have access to ‘state of the art’ analytical research facilities within our Centre for the Aquatic and Terrestrial Environment and at the Freshwater Biological Association’s River Laboratory on the River Frome in Dorset, through our River Communities research group.
By choosing to study at a Russell Group university you will have access to excellent teaching and top class research.
Graduate Employment. On completion of the programme you will have:
- An advanced, interdisciplinary understanding in aquatic sciences and biostatistics, and an appreciation of the current research issues.
- Training in cutting-edge research techniques, contemporary approaches, and practical skills.
- An enhanced experience of a working research environment.
- A range of transferable and generic skills including research planning and experimental design, data analysis and statistics, reporting and research paper preparation.
These assets provide a strong foundation for further PhD research, or for prospective employment with environmental protection and conservation agencies, the water industry and environmental consultancies.
- To develop a strong interdisciplinary understanding in aquatic ecology
- To provide a structured and highly practical training in research techniques and skills that engage with user needs
- To provide a foundation for further PhD research, or for prospective employment with environmental protection and conservation agencies, the water industry and environmental consultancies.
Content
The highlighted icons, represent the fields of education (in compliance with ISCED Classification) engaged during this course/programme.
Venue
London, United Kingdom
Application
Click here to apply: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/applyfortaughtprogrammes/index.html
Cost:
<p><strong>Full-time programme</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>UK/EU students: </strong>£8.450</li> <li><strong>Overseas students: </strong>£16.950</li> </ul> <p><strong>Part-time programme</strong> (per annum over 2 years)</p> <ul> <li><strong>UK/EU students: </strong>£TBC</li> <li><strong>Overseas students: </strong>£TBC</li> </ul>
Prerequisites:
Degree Requirements
A minimum of an upper 2nd class BSc (Hons) degree, (or equivalent international qualification), in Biology or other relevant natural sciences subject. Applicants with relevant professional experience in science or environmental management will also be considered. All potential applicants will be interviewed.
Language Requirements
Candidates are expected to have good English language ability and to meet the standard of the IELTS – or equivalent – at a level of 6.5. Read more about English language requirements.
Application Procedure:
Use the online application forms for the course according to your prefred study mode: full-time programme form, part-time programme form. You must provide the following supporting documentation:
- Completed application form
- Degree transcripts
- Two references
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)/ Resume
Although not mandatory, you are encouraged to send in the following documents in support of your application:
- Statement of purpose (should explain why you want to study your chosen programme and how it will help your life and career. Typically one side of A4 paper.)
- IELTS/TOEFL certificate (if applicable) or other acceptable proof
Application Deadline: there is no fixed closing date for applications but you should remember that decisions on applications will be made as quickly as possible and popular programmes may become full so we advise applying as soon as possible.
Grant Opportunities:
There are a number of sources of funding available for Masters students. These include a significant package of competitive Queen Mary bursaries and scholarships in a range of subject areas, as well as external sources of funding. For full details and eligibility criteria, please visit the 'Funding a masters' webpage of the University.
Funding. There are a number of sources of funding available for Masters students. These include a significant package of competitive Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) bursaries and scholarships in a range of subject areas, as well as external sources of funding.
Queen Mary bursaries and scholarships
We offer a range of bursaries and scholarships for Masters students including competitive scholarships, bursaries and awards, some of which are for applicants studying specific subjects.
Find out more about QMUL bursaries and scholarships.
Alternative sources of funding
Home/EU students can apply for a range of other funding, such as Professional and Career Development Loans, and Employer Sponsorship, depending on their circumstances and the specific programme of study.
Overseas students may be eligible to apply for a range of external scholarships and we also provide information about relevant funding providers in your home country on our country web pages.
Download our Postgraduate Funding Guide [PDF] for detailed information about postgraduate funding options for Home/EU students.
Read more about alternative sources of funding for Home/EU students and for Overseas students.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 5079
email bursaries@qmul.ac.uk
Other financial help on offer at Queen Mary
We offer one to one specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service, which you can access as soon as you have applied for a place at Queen Mary.
Our Advice and Counselling Service also has lots of Student Advice Guides on all aspects of finance including:
Planning your budget and cutting costs [PDF]
Part-time and vacation work [PDF]
Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 8717
Qualification
Assessment:
The taught element of the programme comprises 25 per cent of the final mark determined by continuous assessment. The field course is not formally assessed, but provides further training in field techniques introduced during the two aquatic systems modules. The extended project (supervised 10.000-word dissertation) makes up the remaining 75 per cent of the mark. You will be assessed on the following: literature review and project plan (15 per cent), student contribution and work ethic (10 per cent), and a thesis written in the style of a paper (50 per cent).
Assessment. Students are assessed by a combination of coursework and exams. A few modules are assessed by coursework only. If a module is assessed by means of coursework alone, this is usually in the form of a research project or dissertation, and the tutor project supervisor offers guidance and support in the researching and writing of this piece of assessment.
Dissertation. You will also be assessed on a supervised 10,000-word dissertation. Students are currently researching a range of topics for their dissertations including:
- Effects of invasive crayfish on aquatic ecosystems
- The role of methane as a novel carbon resource in river food webs
- Biodiversity & ecosystem functioning
- Implications of groundwater-surface water connectivity for nitrogen transformations in the hyporheic zone
- Impacts of climate change and acidification
Qualification: Master of Science
This programme has been designed to balance the latest in ecological theory with practical application in both freshwater and marine systems. Students will take part in three residential field-courses (Western Isles of Scotland, Dorset, and Cumbria) for practical ‘hands-on’ training.
Our Aquatic Ecology by Research programme provides comprehensive practical training by application in the laboratory or field, rather than by formal tuition in the lecture theatre. The format is designed to equip you with the skills and experience to undertake further academic or applied research.
Students will be co-supervised by either established PhD students or a potential employer organisation and encouraged to publish their project work. Students will have access to ‘state of the art’ analytical research facilities within the Centre for the Aquatic and Terrestrial Environment, developed from an initial investment by SRIF of £3 million. Students will also have access to the Freshwater Biological Association’s River Laboratory on the River Frome in Dorset, via the River Communities Group, and to mesocosm and temperature controlled facilities at QMUL.
Students will take three taught modules and conduct a nine month extended project. The extended project is an integral part of this programme and will provide students with the skills required to undertake further academic or applied research. During the research project you will be co-supervised by either established PhD students or by potential employer organisations. You will also be encouraged to publish your project work.
Structure
Students will take three core modules and an associated one-week residential field training course taught by experts in aquatic ecology from the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences and the School of Geography. The core modules are:
- Ecosystem Structure and Function
- Aquatic Systems: Hydrological, Hydrochemical and Geomorphological Processes
- Statistics and Bioinformatics
Teaching is by a mixture of formal lectures and small group seminars. The seminars are designed to generate informed discussion around set topics, and may involve student presentations, group exercise and role-play as well as open discussion.
Project
In addition to three taught modules, students will conduct a 9 month extended project aligned to one of the following active research areas:
- Impacts of invasive species, particularly crayfish or amphipods, on UK waters
- Climate change and sentinel species / ecosystems
- Methane and its role in food webs
- Biogeochemical cycling and up / downwelling in lotic ecosystems
- Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
- Physiology of aquatic organisms in a changing climate
- Conservation genetics for species management
Research and teaching
Students will have access to ‘state of the art’ analytical research facilities within our Centre for the Aquatic and Terrestrial Environment and at the Freshwater Biological Association’s River Laboratory on the River Frome in Dorset, through our River Communities research group.
By choosing to study at a Russell Group university you will have access to excellent teaching and top class research.
Use the online application forms for the course according to your prefred study mode: full-time programme form, part-time programme form. You must provide the following supporting documentation:
- Completed application form
- Degree transcripts
- Two references
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)/ Resume
Although not mandatory, you are encouraged to send in the following documents in support of your application:
- Statement of purpose (should explain why you want to study your chosen programme and how it will help your life and career. Typically one side of A4 paper.)
- IELTS/TOEFL certificate (if applicable) or other acceptable proof
Application Deadline: there is no fixed closing date for applications but you should remember that decisions on applications will be made as quickly as possible and popular programmes may become full so we advise applying as soon as possible.
The taught element of the programme comprises 25 per cent of the final mark determined by continuous assessment. The field course is not formally assessed, but provides further training in field techniques introduced during the two aquatic systems modules. The extended project (supervised 10.000-word dissertation) makes up the remaining 75 per cent of the mark. You will be assessed on the following: literature review and project plan (15 per cent), student contribution and work ethic (10 per cent), and a thesis written in the style of a paper (50 per cent).
Assessment. Students are assessed by a combination of coursework and exams. A few modules are assessed by coursework only. If a module is assessed by means of coursework alone, this is usually in the form of a research project or dissertation, and the tutor project supervisor offers guidance and support in the researching and writing of this piece of assessment.
Dissertation. You will also be assessed on a supervised 10,000-word dissertation. Students are currently researching a range of topics for their dissertations including:
- Effects of invasive crayfish on aquatic ecosystems
- The role of methane as a novel carbon resource in river food webs
- Biodiversity & ecosystem functioning
- Implications of groundwater-surface water connectivity for nitrogen transformations in the hyporheic zone
- Impacts of climate change and acidification
Graduate Employment. On completion of the programme you will have:
- An advanced, interdisciplinary understanding in aquatic sciences and biostatistics, and an appreciation of the current research issues.
- Training in cutting-edge research techniques, contemporary approaches, and practical skills.
- An enhanced experience of a working research environment.
- A range of transferable and generic skills including research planning and experimental design, data analysis and statistics, reporting and research paper preparation.
These assets provide a strong foundation for further PhD research, or for prospective employment with environmental protection and conservation agencies, the water industry and environmental consultancies.
- To develop a strong interdisciplinary understanding in aquatic ecology
- To provide a structured and highly practical training in research techniques and skills that engage with user needs
- To provide a foundation for further PhD research, or for prospective employment with environmental protection and conservation agencies, the water industry and environmental consultancies.
Degree Requirements
A minimum of an upper 2nd class BSc (Hons) degree, (or equivalent international qualification), in Biology or other relevant natural sciences subject. Applicants with relevant professional experience in science or environmental management will also be considered. All potential applicants will be interviewed.
Language Requirements
Candidates are expected to have good English language ability and to meet the standard of the IELTS – or equivalent – at a level of 6.5. Read more about English language requirements.
