This programme is offered jointly by the Department of Life Sciences and Environmental Management Unit (EMU) and is a specialisation of the overarching MSc in Natural Resources Management. (See Section 2: CEM for details)

The primary aim of this programme is to provide a regionally integrated approach to marine and terrestrial ecosystems management. This will involve the collection and analysis of data required for the detailed study of these areas and the knowledge of biological and other interventions for conservation, monitoring and integrated management of marine and terrestrial ecosystem resources towards sustainable use.

Programme Objectives

The programme will cover selected aspects of biodiversity associated with Jamaican aquatic and terrestrial environments, with a greater emphasis on their management, conservation and sustainable use. At the end of this programme students will be able to:

• identify the issues affecting terrestrial and marine communities and the processes which make these systems unique,
• appropriately use GIS, Geoinformatics, remote sensing as well as other environmental tools in the study of the environment,
• outline environmental management strategies that integrate biological, political, legal, social and ethical issues as well as design appropriate interventions to conserve threatened species and environments,
• execute sound research for monitoring and providing solutions for problems related to the environment.

Entry Requirements

Entrants are required to have obtained a B.Sc. (honours) degree in the biological sciences from a recognized institution.

Programme Duration

The programme duration is 15 months full-time or 18 months with the 12-credit project and will be offered on evenings and weekends.