Hello and welcome to the MSc in Ecological Restoration and Environmental Management! 

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 Ecological Restoration and Environmental Management

Module Code	Module Title	Overview of Content
CORC4008	Planning and Implementing Ecological Restoration	In this module, you will explore how restoration projects move from vision to action. You define clear ecological objectives, consider environmental and regulatory contexts, and learn how to plan, manage and deliver projects effectively. Through workshops and case studies, you will develop key skills in project design, coordination and environmental appraisal.
CORC4010	Terrestrial Restoration	This module develops knowledge and skills for terrestrial ecosystem restoration, focusing on habitat recovery, biodiversity, and ecosystem function. Students examine restoration practices, habitat management, and industry approaches through theory and case studies, with emphasis on land-use impacts, evidence-based interventions, and threats like climate change, invasive species, and land-use pressures.
CORC4015	Surveying in the Natural Environment	Explore the natural world through hands-on surveying of habitats, species, soils and landforms. You will develop essential field and lab skills, from identifying protected species to interpreting soils and geodiversity. This practical module builds your confidence in reading landscapes and understanding the systems that shape them.
CORC4009	Postgraduate Research Methods	The module builds research and communication skills for postgraduates undertaking hypothesis-led projects in their field. It covers research philosophy, design, analysis, ethics, management, and effective communication, providing guidance on career development and presentation skills
CORC4007	GIS and Remote Sensing	This module explores the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing in ecology. It highlights the need for accurate baseline data on the physical environment, incorporating biotic and abiotic factors, including remotely sensed data. Learners will conduct monitoring to assess progress against objectives and develop GIS datasets by integrating information from multiple sources.
CORC4005	Aquatic and Wetland Restoration	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.
CORC4011	Work Placement Module	Building on at least 120 hours of work-based experience with ecological restoration or environmental management practitioners, students reflect critically on their skills, behaviours and sector knowledge. Using professional standards to guide their evaluation, students will produce a development plan for future career or academic progression.
CORC4012	Dissertation	This module facilitates detailed planning and undertaking of original research, data analysis, and synthesis of results while allowing reflection and independent thought in collaboration with the project supervisor. Students will then submit the report in accordance with agreed-upon conventions

Free eLearning Courses

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