Students on both pathways must complete the compulsory modules listed below: 

Key topics in Conservation Ecology (15 credits)
Through lectures, exercises and interactive workshops, this module aims to explore key topics in conservation biology and develop skills in the practical application of ecology to conservation. You will be encouraged to demonstrate your awareness of current key issues, as well as developing a critical approach to understanding and proposing solutions across various contexts. Typical content will include species and site conservation, protected areas, priority areas and holistic approaches to landscape conservation.

Biodiversity Skills (15 credits)
In this module you will develop your research skills and field techniques in preparation for effective and critical assessment of biodiversity. As part of this, you will build specialist skills in the identification of selected taxon to species level as well as reviewing scientific literature, investigating fieldwork techniques and methods.

Research Design (15 credits)
Helping you to prepare for independent research, this module enables you to build key skills to design and conduct high quality, ethical research. Your awareness of various research methods will inform your approach to understanding complex data and information that will further advance your skills for future academia and/or employment.

Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing (15 credits)
This module aims to develop your skills and understanding of the concepts and practical application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing. This will involve using industry-standard software and cloud-based applications for mapping, spatial data acquisition and analysis. GIS and spatial analysis are core elements of conservation ecology and help to provide insight into species distributions, protecting area siting and prioritising conservation areas.

Quantitative Skills in Conservation Ecology (15 credits)
In this module you will develop hands-on experience of industry-standard software for the analysis of ecological data, for example, survey data to estimate abundance, audio data to identify animal sounds and site data for selecting priority areas for conservation. You will also develop an advanced level of proficiency in ecological data analysis in R. You will gain essential practice in applying statistical techniques to biodiversity data from field surveys and large data bases by building core skills in problem solving, analytical thinking and investigation.

Practical Field Skills (15 credits)
This module will help you develop field techniques for assessing biodiversity, especially by further developing practical field skills. The module concludes with a six-day residential field course in the UK where you will design and implement a group project to answer a question related to biodiversity conservation.

Climate and Sustainable Development (15 credits)
Are economic development and climate concerns always opposed? Why do nature-based solutions not seem to work? And what areas should be priorities for climate-friendly development? What does international development assistance do for the people who depend most directly on their local environments for their livelihoods? This module helps you find your own answers to some of these pressing questions by introducing you to development geography. You will explore key ideas from this subdiscipline including political ecology - the study of environments as products of social action - and performative economy - the idea of economy as an abstract realm we bring into being by describing it. The coursework involves using in-depth case studies to evaluate different pathways towards - and definitions of - development which contributes to addressing the climate crisis.

Collaborative Project (15 credits)
This module provides the opportunity to work on real-world issues as you work with Keele University staff to identify and approach collaborative partners, define projects and gain essential employability skills and experience. You will be supported to lead collaborative discussions to co-define and co-design a project scope and to review the project's progress and outcomes. You will also develop highly desirable skills in project planning and management, effective communication in a professional setting, and problem solving.

Climate Change Science (15 credits)
Are you intrigued by human-induced and natural climate change? This module covers the various factors affecting the climate and the influences of these changes on our planet, exploring how climate change has developed and how we can prevent it. You will develop high-level skills in basic modelling, data analysis and how to interpret complex information and evidence related to climate change.

Dissertation (60 credits)
Build upon your general and subject-specific research skills acquired throughout the programme in the form of a research project, comprising a 15,000-20,000 word dissertation. The module is delivered via a combination of one-to-one meetings with the project supervisor(s), independent research and self-learning techniques.

Dissertation - VMU Lithuania Pathway (60 credits)
Build upon your general and subject-specific research skills acquired throughout the programme in the form of a research project, comprising a 15,000-20,000 word dissertation. In collaboration with Keele and VMU staff, you will identify and develop your own research question and implement the appropriate methods and techniques to provide insights and evidence for your rationale.

Please note: Depending on the pathway, the 'Dissertation' or 'Dissertation - VMU Lithuania Pathway' module must be taken.