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Introduction

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Location

Headington

Course Length

Full time MSc: 12 months

Why choose this course?

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Overview

Our MSc Primate Conservation - Human Primate Interface course is ideal if you have a particular interest in the challenges that occur when primates and humans come face-to-face.

You can choose modules relating to the research opportunities and challenges around the Human Primate Interface. This includes a tailored module allowing you to focus on your chosen topic within conservation and ecology.

Coursework is innovative and varied. It will provide you with direct training to work in conservation or ecology as a practitioner, advocate or academic.

You will have the opportunity to produce an original piece of research on topics such as:

 illegal trade
 bushmeat
 crop raiding
 ethnoprimatology.

You'll work with international scholars in primatology, biological anthropology and primate conservation. And gain the experience to research the human primate interface, and where relevant, to enact positive change.

You'll benefit from our links with conservation organisations and NGOs, including:

 Fauna and Flora International
 TRAFFIC
 Conservation International.

Modules

Semester 1

Compulsory modules
• Primate Diversity and Conservation: Theory, Methods and Practice (20 credits)

You’ll review the variety of primate species, together with their distribution, ecology and conservation status. You’ll develop your understanding of the differences between primate species and factors that make them more or less vulnerable to extinction. You’ll explore methods of population viability assessment, and find out about successful conservation projects

• International Legislation, Humans and Wildlife (20 credits)

Many species and communities are threatened by exploitation, globalisation and international wildlife trade resulting from development and competition for space and resources.If biodiversity is to be maintained, we need a thorough understanding of the causes and consequences of these human activities. We must also analyse ways of resolving these consequences on an international scale. In this module, you’ll analyse the importance and roles of legislation, international treaties, and conflict resolution in resolving the biodiversity crisis.

Optional modules

People-Primate Interactions (20 credits)

You’ll receive an overview of the many ways that humans and wildlife (both primates and other animals) interact with and impact each other. You’ll consider examples of interactions between humans and wildlife in relation to crop raiding, hunting, biomedical research, tourism, and the design and management of national parks and wildlife reserves. You’ll learn about the diverse attitudes of different cultures or levels of society towards primates, and the way that these attitudes influence primate conservation initiatives

Conservation Education (20 credits)

What are the best ways to inform people about environmental decline? How can primates be used to promote public understanding of conservation? You will explore environmental and conservation education with particular reference to threatened species, and consider the theories behind and ways to measure the effectiveness of different strategies. You’ll discover a variety of techniques for presenting and disseminating information about conservation, particularly using digital technology and methods. We’ll make use of case studies to introduce you to planning, conducting and evaluating educational projects.

Advanced Studies of People and other Animals (20 credits)

Humans and other animals have a long history of interacting with each other. In this module we use ideas from biological and social anthropology to examine the complexities and contradictions evident in people–animal relationships. We’ll explore these through topics such as animals as food, animals as entertainment, companion animals and animals as 'nature'. You’ll develop an advanced understanding of the many roles and diverse meanings that animals have for different groups of people.

Semester 2

Compulsory modules

• Supervised Independent Study (20 credits)

This is a great opportunity to undertake a study of your own choosing. It will be related to the

human-primate interface, including issues related to:

 crop feeding and crop damage
 primate ecotourism
 primate trade
 primate hunting
 use of primates in zoos, medical facilities, and the entertainment industry
 the commercialisation and exploitation of primates on the internet.

Working independently, you’ll improve your time- and project-management skills. You’ll enhance your research skills, including library and online research, along with your ability to write effectively and present a coherent argument.

Optional modules

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (20 credits)

Biodiversity targets are essential for maintaining species and habitats and for facilitating ecosystem services. In this module, you’ll learn about the importance of ecological principles in biodiversity assessment and prioritisation. You’ll also understand the importance of the ecological components of ecosystem services for sustainability. You’ll look at methods and problems of assessing biodiversity, including the adequacy of surrogate measures.

There is an emphasis on practical work in this module, and you’ll take part in an extended practical exercise focused on biodiversity assessment methods, with full data analysis. You’ll also develop in-depth knowledge of a selected topic/case study around ecosystem service provision.

Primate Conservation Research Methods (20 credits)

You’ll gain a basic understanding of how to conduct a field study of primates in the wild, in captivity or in a museum. You’ll learn about the best ways to collect and analyse data for different kinds of research or investigation that are suitable for your final project. You will have the chance to compare the methods available and learn about their strengths and weaknesses.

You’ll learn about research planning, data collection, analysis and interpretation of results, and you’ll receive training in programs such as SPSS, DISTANCE, Ranges and QGis. You’ll take part in visits to one or more collaborating institutions, to learn practical techniques such as museum studies, behavioural observation techniques in zoos and botanical sampling in situ.

Captive Management and Rehabilitation (20 credits)

In this module we review good practice in the management and welfare of captive primates, and the implications for the survival of declining populations in the wild. You’ll study the effects of the captive environment on behavioural traits (stereotypy, genetic selection), welfare and breeding success. You’ll consider factors such as

 veterinary care
 nutrition
 housing and enclosure design
 environmental enrichment.

We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of reintroducing and rehabilitating primates into the wild.

Genetics and Population Management (20 credits)

You’ll gain an understanding of applied conservation genetics, as well as demographic management of small captive populations and those that have become isolated in the wild. We will present the foundations of population and molecular genetics, which we will place in a practical and conservation management context. You’ll learn about genetic techniques that allow us to assess relationships between individuals, populations and species. You will have the chance to apply these skills in a biochemistry lab setting and explore the relevance of genetics to animal conservation.

Final project

Compulsory modules

• Final Project (60 credits)

We’ll encourage you to build on your strengths and interests throughout the course, culminating in a final research project that has an outcome of use to the broader public and conservation community. All projects are accompanied by a written component to integrate and explain the work including in the form of a traditional thesis.

We aim for you to produce work that has a lasting impact. Examples include:

 the production of a film or exhibition
 one or more articles/chapters for publication
 a broadcasting project
 an education handbook
 design of a practical project relating to primate conservation (eg eco-tourism, habitat management or conservation education).

Entry Criteria

ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.

IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

You will normally be required to have, or be expecting, a good honours degree in anthropology, biology, ecology, psychology or an acceptable related discipline.

If you are not a graduate, or if you have graduated in an unrelated discipline, you will be considered for entry to the course if you can demonstrate in your application, and at an interview, that you are able to work at an advanced level in the discipline.

We will consider appropriate credits obtained elsewhere. Accreditation of prior learning (eg a conversion course or an advanced research training course) will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the course manager. Accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) will similarly be considered.

Transfer between part-time and full-time modes, transfer from the diploma to the MSc, or deferral of study may be possible in certain circumstances at the discretion of the examination committee.

Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:

 the Welsh Baccalaureate
 the Access to Higher Education Diploma
 a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
 the International Baccalaureate Diploma
 the European Baccalaureate Diploma
 Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
 a recognised foundation course
 T-levels*.
 * T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

If English is not your first language then you will need to show that your English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed in your studies.

The entry requirement for your course will be expressed as an IELTS level and refers to the IELTS Academic version of this test. We are now also accepting the IELTS Indicator test, you can find out more about the test on the IELTS Indication site. The University however does accept a wide range of additional English language qualifications, which can be found below.

The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:

Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.

Assessment

ASSESSMENT METHODS

1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Learning and assessment

The course consists of:

 two compulsory modules
 four elective modules
 the final MSc Primate Conservation project.

For full-time students the course lasts one year.

For part-time students the course takes two years.
Learning and teaching

You will be taught through the following methods:

 lectures
 research seminars
 training workshops
 tutorials
 case studies
 seminar presentations
 site visits
 computer-aided learning
 independent reading
 supervised research

An important feature of the course is your contribution towards an outreach project that brings primate conservation issues into a public arena. Examples include:

 a poster
 display
 presentation

These could be at a scientific meeting, university society or school.

You may choose to write your dissertation specifically for scientific publication.

You will take part in round-table discussions, which form a regular aspect of the course. Closely examine conservation issues, through sharing perspectives as a whole group.


Assessment

You will be assessed in a range of ways, including:

 written coursework
 oral presentations
 quizzes
 practical assignment or project

Your coursework assignments reflect your interests and strengths. You will hand them in at the end of the semester and receive written feedback before the start of the following semester. You will receive your final marks after an examinations meeting at the beginning of December.

You will be assigned regular tasks on topics critical to each module. These ensure that all members of the class have completed the required reading and prepared work that will feed into class discussions.

Research
Our vibrant research culture is driven by a thriving and collaborative community of academic staff and doctoral students.

Our Research clusters include:

 theNocturnal Primate Research Group (NPRG)
 Environment Research Group
 the Oxford Wildlife Trade Research Group (OWTRG)
 the Europe Japan Research Centre
 the Human Origins and Palaeoenvironments.

Research in the department is carried out in the following areas:

 anthropology of art
 anthropology of food
 anthropology of globalisation
 anthropology of Japan
 Basque studies
 culture and landscapes
 environmental archaeology and paleo-anthropology
 environmental anthropology
 environmental reconstruction
 human origins
 human resource ecology
 human–wildlife interaction and conservation
 organisational anthropology
 physical environmental processes and management
 primate conservation
 primatology
 quaternary environmental change
 social anthropology of South Asia and Europe
 urban and environmental studies
 wildlife trade.

Career Opportunities

Career prospects

You will be joining a supportive global network of former students working across all areas of conservation in organisations from the BBC Natural History Unit through to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and in roles from keeper and education officer in zoos across the UK and North America to paid researchers at institutes of higher education. Many of our students have even gone on to run their own conservation-related NGOs.

Typically about ten to twenty percent of our MSc graduates continue their studies by enrolling on a PhD programme in the UK or abroad.

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