Hello and welcome to the MSc in Land and Ecological Restoration! 

I'm thrilled that you are taking up the opportunity to help build knowledge, skills and best practice to help tackle the growing ecological crises. My name is Dr Chris Smillie, Programme Manager and Lecturer for this course, and a field ecologist by training. My PhD was on contaminated salt marshes in Cornwall, but then went on to become a principal consultant ecologist, operating across the UK and the Middle East & North Africa. I have a special interest in maritime habitats and peatlands.

Over the next year (or two for our part-timers), I hope to guide you through the modules as part of a dedicated teaching team, so that by the end of your degree, you will feel competent in assessing and delivering best practice for ecological restoration, incorporating scientific derived critical appraisal of ideas and a vision of the broader societal frameworks within such work must operate. Our teaching team will enrich their lectures through a combination of their own research, field practice and experience, and will bring in a range of industry and academic external speakers to provide more applied context to our topics.

Throughout the course, we will make the most of the incredible landscapes of Cornwall, the range of local ongoing restoration initiatives, and of course the unrivalled Eden Project team and estate to provide our students with exposure to a range of restoration success stories in post industrial landscapes.  

I look forward to welcoming you all here in person, getting to know you in person, and helping you to make the next steps towards your chosen career.

Dr Chris Smillie, Programme Manager for the MSc in Land and Ecological Restoration

Module Code	Module Title	Overview of Content
CORC406	Planning and Implementing Ecological Restoration	The module uses a case study approach with external visits and guest speakers to give an overview of the activities of ecosystem and ecological restoration from baseline survey and stakeholder engagement through agreement of objectives, selection of methodology, aftercare and evaluation. The module develops in learners the ability to select and use project management tools.
CORC407	Principles and Practice of Ecological Restoration	This module introduces the ethos, key definitions and fundamental concepts of ecological restoration and provides opportunities to apply learning to live case studies. Drawing heavily on research, learners explore and evaluate techniques used by practitioners and will develop an appreciation for the distinctive nature of a relatively young and evolving applied science discipline.
CORC408	Biosecurity and Invasive Species	Invasive species may cause environmental and economic harm and deflect the desired trajectory in programmes of ecological and habitat restoration. The module introduces techniques for identifying and managing invasive terrestrial and aquatic plant and animal species and provides an opportunity for learners to participate in research and visit trial sites. Relevant UK and EU legislation is summarised and critiqued, and the latest research in controlling invasive species is explored.
CORC409	Postgraduate Research Methods	The module develops the research and communication skills that postgraduates need to carry out an original project within the paradigm of hypothesis-led research at the forefront of their academic discipline. Emphasis is given to the philosophy, design, ethics and management of research, effective communication to a range of audiences, and advice on career management and presentation skills involved in job applications and interviews.
CORC410	GIS and Survey Techniques	This module explores applications of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in land restoration programmes, which rely on accurate baseline assessments of the physical environment and associated plant and animal communities together with ongoing monitoring of progress against objectives. Learners will populate and maintain GIS datasets using data from a variety of sources including habitat assessment and drone surveys.
CORC411	Wetlands and Riparian Systems	Wetland ecosystems and riparian zones include a range of naturally biodiverse and globally important habitat types that continue to experience degradation due to the activities of humans. This module reviews threats to habitats within these ecosystems and the effectiveness of practical techniques used to restore the structure, function and resilience of habitats.
CORC412	Work Placement Module	The module allows the student to gain credit for completing not less than 120 hours of work experience related to the programme aims and objectives. This will usually be with industry practitioners / ecological consultants working on or providing services to land restoration or associated environmental management projects.
CORC413	Dissertation	Candidates will produce a dissertation to satisfy the requirements of this Masters level qualification. In doing so they will demonstrate the ability to synthesise and apply learning gained throughout the programme to identify a research topic, formulate and test a hypothesis through original research and communicate outputs according to agreed scientific format.

Free eLearning Courses

There are free eLearning courses that provide a good background and preparation before starting your MSc. Please see the links below.