Overview

• Explore the relationships between coastal and marine ecosystems and human activity
• Includes an international field course to the Maldives with up to ten dives possible and UK-based fieldwork. Please note, a low-carbon alternative programme is also available.
• Gain transferable skills for marine environmental management, and learn to use 'R' and GIS
• Dissertation can involve external placement/s
• Delivered by internationally recognised experts in a location surrounded in coastal and marine biodiversity

Fieldwork

Fieldwork is an integral part of the programme and the location of the Penryn Campus provides excellent access to local marine and coastal environments, allowing short field trips to be embedded within the modules.

The field course to the Maldives will allow you to learn about the wonder of Maldivian coral reefs, their rich biodiversity, structure, functioning, threats from climate change, and management needs. Daily practicals will involve snorkelling and also some diving for those with a Rescue Diver qualification. During these you will practice a variety of the reef survey techniques taught. Impacts of climate change and capacity for reef recovery are evident during fieldwork and your data will contribute to long-term monitoring of the reefs. Topics covered in daily lectures will include coral reef ecology, human impacts to reefs, and taxonomy.

Careers

Employer-valued skills this course develops

This programme will provide you with a diversity of skills that will equip you for a range of sectors of work and further study of marine environments. Skills include:

• Scientific writing and poster preparation
• Grant writing
• Public speaking
• Short film production
• Press release and the professional use of social media
• Data analysis
• Writing scientific information for a lay audience
• Use of “R” and GIS.