STUDY

The dissertation provides the opportunity to develop an area of personal scientific interest arising from individual or course-based experiences. The dissertation will be a research-focused study, which will centre on the generation and testing of a hypothesis. It will enable students to utilise practical, intellectual and decision-making skills in new and different situations. The dissertation provides a mechanism for the development of autonomy and self-direction whilst undertaking a problem-solving approach to a research topic.

This module explores rewilding; the most modern, dynamic and perhaps controversial of ecological restoration strategies lauded by many as the way forward to large-scale ecological recovery, future proof ecological resilience, economic stability and also as a vehicle for the enhancement of human wellbeing. You will study and critically evaluate this method in all its forms; from its diverse theoretical basis to practical applications, whilst exploring and reviewing small and large scale implementations both global and local, many of which are in the early stages in the Eastern region.

The ability to collect, store, manage, clean, analyse and visualise both numeric and spatial data is a highly sought-after skill set across nearly all employment sectors, but is especially useful to wildlife, conservation environment and sustainability science and industries. Skills gained in this module can be utilised across all others on the programme and will be invaluable in the understanding and evaluation of scientific and professional literature.

Social, Environmental and Economic Impacts – Zoonoses are diseases that can cross the species gap. Approximately 60% of emerging human pathogens are zoonoses. Climate change, human population increase and the degradation of the natural environment have played a significant role in the transmission of zoonoses and these diseases have had wide-ranging impacts upon human populations across the millennia. You will explore the causes, transmission pathways, environmental, social and economic impacts and implications of zoonoses, beginning with the historical, and moving forward.

CO2 and the associated climate shift have far-reaching impacts on human health, environment, wildlife and economics. You will study these impacts and the mitigation strategies (present and future) implemented to reduce emissions. The discipline of carbon management is a highly sought-after vocational skill across all sectors from agriculture to management. You will learn how to perform carbon footprint plans (CFP) and carbon reduction plans, and gain skills in online delivery of professional science-based webinars.