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►MSc in Land and Ecological Restoration

  • Apprenticeship MSc in Land and Ecological Restoration

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    • Welcome by Programme Managers | Zeinab Smillie and Charlotte Armitage

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

      We are thrilled that you are taking this step to help build your skills, knowledge and best practice to help tackle the growing ecological crises. Dr Charlotte Armitage and Dr Zeinab Smillie will be the programme managers on this course. Charlotte is a mammal ecologist and conservationist, with strong skills in statistical modelling, GIS and future climate predictions. Zeinab is a multidisciplinary geoscientist with expertise in GIS, Remote Sensing, data analysis and machine learning, soil texture and geochemistry, natural hazards and landscape evolution/resilience. Zeinab is also an editor and reviewer of multiple Elsevier journals.

      Over the next two years, we hope to guide you through the modules as part of a dedicated teaching team, so that by the end of your apprenticeship, you will be 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 we must operate. Our teaching team will enrich their lectures through a combination of their own research, field practice and experience, whilst bringing in a range of industry and academic external speakers to provide more applied context to our topics.

      Throughout this course, in particular during your residentials, 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.

      We look forward to welcoming you all here in person, getting to know you in person and remotely, and helping you develop the skills you need to further your chosen career.

      Zeinab and Charlotte, Programme Managers for the Apprenticeship MSc in Land and Ecological Restoration


      Zeinab Smillie Charlotte Armitage


    • Joining Instructions

    • Modules

    • 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.

      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.

    • Reading List

    • resource icon
      MSc Land and Ecological Restoration 2023 Reading List File

    • Recommendations for Reading, Watching and Listening Over the Summer

    • url icon
      The Open University Online Course | Are you Ready for Postgraduate Study? URL

      A helpful study skills refresher with guidance on reflective practice is provided by Succeeding in Postgraduate Study by the Open University.

    • url icon
      Society for Ecological Restoration E-Learning Course | Overview of the Practice of Ecological Restoration URL

      An overview of the practice of ecological restoration provided by the Society for Ecological Restoration, with voiceover by MSc alumni Breanna Kaufman.

    • Student Highlights

    • The ReCon Soils Project 

      The ReCon Soil Project is a project to study the potential reuse of surplus materials from the construction industry. Below you will find three YouTube video clips highlighting their work.

    • url icon
      1. The ReCon Soils Project: What is the Project? | YouTube URL
    • url icon
      2. The ReCon Soils Project: Why is Soil Important? | YouTube URL
    • url icon
      3. The ReCon Soils Project: What's Next? | YouTube URL
    • url icon
      Q&A Previous Head of Campus on Ecological Restoration and Conservation Optimism in Cornwall | YouTube URL

      Join Mark Nason, the previous Head of Campus of the University Centre at the Eden Project, as he discusses with our MSc Land and Ecological Restoration students their current projects. 

    • url icon
      Ecology Apprenticeship Student Interview | YouTube URL

      Interview with John Payne a Ecology Apprentice at the Eden Project University Centre.

►MSc in Land and Ecological Restoration
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Manager - Colin Smith - Colin.smith@cornwall.ac.uk Learning Technologist - Luda Smith - Luda Smith@cornwall.ac.uk Learning Technologist - Maggie Symonds- Maggie.symonds@cornwall.ac.uk

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