Ecological Survey Techniques

Postgraduate Certificate in Ecological Survey Techniques

Course Code | 000099

The Postgraduate Certificate is a flexible, part-time modular programme delivered by a range of tutor specialists which can be studied at a variable intensity over one to three years.

Drawing on the University’s excellent record in teaching ecology, environmental conservation and wildlife management, this new programme has been designed to appeal to busy professionals and volunteers from both within the UK and overseas.

The course will be of interest to conservationists, students and practitioners working in wildlife management, for statutory nature conservation organisations, environmental consultants, NGOs, planners and educators - as well as specialists working in industries where there is a need to assess the environmental impact of their own or their client's activities - in all biomes and geographical regions.

The course aims to equip students with the techniques to survey, measure, quantify, assess and monitor biodiversity and ecosystems in the field; provide comprehensive training in the collection and analysis of field survey data in order to understand, interpret and, therefore, make informed decisions in environmental conservation.

The course is mostly taught online, starting with a face-to-face week in Oxford held in September. Students take two core modules (Field Techniques for Surveying Vegetation and Data Analysis in Ecology), after which they choose two out of four of the remaining option modules in field techniques.

During their time on the course students will work on a Field Project on a topic chosen in discussion with the course director. Students are expected to undertake their field work once they have completed their optional modules and will receive initial support from a project tutor.

The teaching is conducted by a team of practitioners and academics and all the online modules are tutor-led. The module titles are as follows:

• Introduction to Ecological Survey Techniques (Face-to-face week in Oxford)
  
• Field Techniques for Surveying Vegetation
• Field Techniques for Surveying Mammals and Reptiles
• Field Techniques for Surveying Invertebrates
• Field Techniques for Surveying Fish and Amphibians
• Field Techniques for Surveying Birds
• Data Analysis in Ecology: Statistics for Ecologists and Field Biologists
• Field project
  

The programme forms part of a wider portfolio of courses on the theme of Environment and Sustainability.

• Length of programme: Variable depending on intensity of study, from twelve months to three years

Students have access to the University’s electronic resources at all times and full access to library facilities when they are in Oxford.

There is a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for the programme, which is used for tutorials, teaching, discussions, study skills and staying in touch with students and tutors. Each online module has its own VLE, created and supported by the Department’s award-winning Technology-Assisted Lifelong Learning team.

A key strength of the programme is its ability to draw on a rich pool of expertise: The teaching is conducted by a highly knowledgeable and diverse team of practitioners and academics, and all the online modules are tutor-led.

• Mr Damien Farine, Department of Zoology
• Dr Thomas Hesselberg, Department for Continuing Education and Department of Zoology
• Dr Jocelyne Hughes, Department for Continuing Education
  
• Dr Roger Key, Environmental Consultant
  
• Dr Chris Newman, Department of Zoology
• Dr Jonathan Shrives, Jersey Department of the Environment and University of Oxford
  

• PGDip in International Wildlife Conservation Practice
• MSc in Sustainable Urban Development

The PGCert in Ecological Survey Techniques programme was new for the 2012/13 academic year, and the first cohort of students graduate in 2013.

The PGCert has attracted a wide range of professionals in the environmental conservation sector seeking CPD and skills training, as well as conservation and survey volunteers who wish to improve their survey techniques.

The programme will also facilitate those who wish to change the direction of their career into the environmental conservation sector and require a relevant qualification at this level.