Resource Conservation Biology

The MSc in Resource Conservation Biology is aimed at individuals interested in working in the conservation field. It covers various aspects of resource conservation biology, including population ecology, population and species distribution modelling, conservation planning, and more.

Overview

Why study Resource Conservation Biology?

This degree prepares individuals interested in working in the conservation field.

Why study Resource Conservation Biology at Wits?

The Wits School of Animal, Plant, and Environmental Sciences is home to a number of world leaders in sustainability, savannah ecology, conservation, among other research areas. Our School includes a diverse, research active and passionate staff and post-graduate cohort working on a variety of projects ranging from animal behaviour to plant systematics and evolution to ecology and aquatic ecology. Our School prides itself on the extent of its research experience.

Career Opportunities

  • Nature conservation: national or conservation agencies, private wildlife enterprises, environmental NGOs, environmental consultancy.
  • Environmental Impact Assessment.
  • Commerce and industry: private consulting firms, environmental divisions of large corporations, marketing, scientific services, mining and forestry companies.

Curriculum

The MSc Resource Conservation Biology degree comprises a research project, and six elective courses (course offerings vary each year). Details below.

  • Conserving Biodiversity: Foundations
  • Statistical Research & Design
  • Sustaining Populations & Resources: Foundations
  • Sustaining Populations & Resources: Frontiers
  • Management of African Savannas
  • Maintaining Ecosystem Processes: Foundations
  • EIAs- Concepts and Critical Review
  • Sustainability Leadership
  • Energy and Environment

The courses are usually presented as short courses over 2 weeks. Courses offered might vary from year to year depending on staff availability.

The coursework component for the full-time programme would normally be completed in the first six months of study, with the last six months dedicated to the research project.

Six courses must be completed. At least four of the courses MUST be from those offered by the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences. The other two courses can be chosen from the suite of courses offered as part of the MSc in Environmental Sciences. If the student does not have adequate previous training in statistics, then one of these two courses must be STATS7009A.

The research report is based on investigations extending over the equivalent of six months of full-time work. Each student will be required to confirm selection of the research project and supervisor one month from the date of registration. Each student is required to present a formal project proposal and a final project seminar.

Entry Requirements

Masters by coursework and research report:

  • A Bachelor of Science with Honours from Wits or another university
  • A graduate of this or another university who holds a degree in another faculty whose curriculum has ordinarily extended over not less than four academic years of full-time study.

A BSc Honours or equivalent four year degree with a good understanding of ecology. Acceptance into certain courses may be restricted to applicants with relevant undergraduate course credits.

Applications should include:

  • A letter of motivation stating the reasons why you want to take this course and explaining your field of special interest.
  • A comprehensive CV, including academic transcripts and the names and contact addresses of three referees.

University Application Process

  • Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process.
  • Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

International students, please check this section.

For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.