PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Biodiversity, Evolution & Conservation
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
M.Res.
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Intake cohort(s) to which this
programme specification is applicable:
2012
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Life Sciences
Parent Department:
Genetics, Evolution & Environment
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/gee/
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Length of the programme:
1 year
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
Level 7
N/A
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme / its assessment:
(see guidance notes)
This 1-year programme will be comprised of a course-heavy first
term (October to December), followed by 2 18-week research
projects (January to September). The course portion of the
programme is divided into three courses: 1) a research skills
course which will provide training in oral and poster
presentations and other transferable skills; 2) a seminar course,
in which students will attend a series of mandatory seminars at
UCL, the Natural History Museum, and the Institute of Zoology
which will serve as the subjects for essays and discussions;
and 3) an intensive methods course which will provide students
with practical training in the variety of analytical tools using in
pure and applied research in biodiversity, evolution, and
conservation. Each course will have required coursework,
ranging from practicals to essays and presentations. The two
research projects will each be marked based on a written
dissertation and poster or oral presentation, which will be given
during a symposium at the end of each project period.
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
Biodiversity, Evolution & Conservation (MRes) (BIODG)
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
Biodiversity is vital for sustaining life on Earth and for providing food, fuel, clean water and other ecosystem
services that our wellbeing depends upon. However, factors such as habitat loss and climate change are resulting
in widespread extinction. Basic scientific research on the evolutionary and ecological processes that produced our
present biodiversity, and applied research on how to preserve this biodiversity in the future are crucial for
preventing further losses. This research-led program is based in UCL’s Department of Genetics, Evolution, and
Environment and run jointly with the Natural History Museum and the Institute of Zoology, providing unparalleled
opportunities for students to learn and conduct research across the full breadth of pure and applied research in
biodiversity. Emphasis on quantitative approaches to research in evolution, ecology, and conservation will offer
students a strong foundation with which to pursue careers in academic research, environmental policy and
management, applied conservation, public health, or scientific journalism. Taught courses will focus on cuttingedge quantitative tools in ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, bioinformatics, systematics, palaeobiology,
conservation, and environmental biology. Seminars and journal clubs rotating across UCL, the Natural History
Museum, and the Institute of Zoology will grant students a unique and exceptionally broad understanding of ties
among different fields of research relating to the generation and preservation of biodiversity. Two 18-week
research projects will provide students with diverse opportunities for experience in the field, lab, collections-based,
and theoretical research occurring at the three different institutions. The many possible research projects include
the prospect of participating in global initiatives, such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (with
researchers based at the Natural History Museum) or the EDGE (Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered) of
Existence programme, based at the Zoological Society of London. This is an ideal course for highly-motivated
students interested in the breadth of evolutionary, ecological, and conservation science and seeking a program to
provide a foundation in both pure and applied research in biodiversity.
Students completing this course will have obtained:
1) a rigorous training in quantitative methods used in evolutionary, ecological, environmental, and conservation
science.
2) a broad introduction to the range of research concerned with biodiversity, from its past evolutionary roots to its
future preservation.
3) research experience in pure and applied science in the diverse settings of a world-leading multidisciplinary
university and two globally-renowned research organizations
4) transferable skills in quantitative data handling, oral and poster presentation, essay writing, reasoned argument,
and critical thinking.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
Pure and applied research in
biodiversity, evolution, and
conservation
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
A research skills course, a seminar course on topics
in biodiversity research, and an intensive analytical
tools for research course, as well as 2 18-week
research projects
Assessment:
Courses will be assessed by essays and oral
presentations, research projects by project reports
and oral and poster presentations
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Critical thinking, reasoned argument,
data interpretation
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Research skills and seminar courses will include
essay writing and oral presentations in discussion
groups on mandatory seminars and assigned
papers. Research projects and analytical tools in
biodiversity research course will involve data
interpretation.
Assessment:
Essays and oral presentations will be marked by the
course coordinators. Research project reports and
practicals for tools course will be marked by
supervisors and course coordinators.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Quantitative data handling, lab, field,
and collections-based data collection,
analysis, interpretation, and
communication
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Essays and presentations based on papers and
seminars form part of the seminar course, and
project reports and presentations will follow each
research project. Quantitative data analysis will be
taught in the tools for research course, while data
collection, analysis, interpretation and
communication will be conducted during research
projects
Assessment:
Essays, project reports, presentations, and
practicals (for the tools course) will be marked by
supervisors and course coordinators.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Oral and poster presentation, essay
writing, quantitative data handling,
critical thinking, reasoned argument,
communication
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Essays and presentations will be part of the seminar
and research skills courses, project reports and
presentations will follow each research project,
quantitative data analysis will be taught in the tools
for research course
Assessment:
Essays, project reports, presentations, and
practicals (for the tools course) will be marked
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmarkstatements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed by UCL
and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Programme Organiser(s)
Name(s):
Date of production/revision:
Kate Jones
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
June 2015
July 28, 2011
June 2015