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Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants

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MSc Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants - 1 Year (Full-time)
Fees
PgDip Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants - 9 Months (Full-time)
Fees

Information on fees & costs

Individual programme fees are linked above. For detailed information on fee status, policies, payment and funding opportunities see:

On acceptance of our unconditional offer a non-refundable deposit of £300 will be required, within one month, to ensure your place on the Programme.

This is not an additional cost, and will be refunded to you after you have made your fees payment in full.

Your place on the programme can only be guaranteed if you provide the deposit. Details for making a payment will be sent to you.

Students may incur additional costs when studying. For example this may be for field trips, course equipment, or specialist fees.

Research project bench fees of £1000, plus compulsory field course costs of £1000.

Contact information
Carolyn Wilson (MSc Administrator)
Phone: +44 (0)131 650 8651
Email: btpmsc@ed.ac.uk
Dr Andrew Hudson/Dr Louis Ronse de Craene (Programme Director)
Phone: +44 (0)131 651 3383
Email: btpmsc@ed.ac.uk
Address: Biology Teaching Organisation
School of Biological Sciences
G5, Darwin Building
Edinburgh
EH9 3JR

The understanding of plant diversity and resources has never been more important. As we face the unprecedented challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, effective environmental surveillance and conservation depend upon detailed knowledge of plants and their habitats.

This programme aims to equip biologists, conservationists and ecologists with high level skills in pure and applied plant taxonomy. It bridges traditional and modern approaches and provides in-depth knowledge of plant biodiversity and the methods of its investigation.

A key aspect of the programme is the development of research skills and communication through the dissertation and preparation of research reports and presentations.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for applicants is a UK 2:1 degree, or its international equivalent, in biological or environmental science. Relevant work experience is desirable.

Please note: a closing date has been set for the submission of applications for September 2013. You must submit your application by 31 May 2013.

International students

All applicants must meet our general entry and language requirements. Detailed advice for international students is available here:

Programme description

This programme is run jointly by the University and the world-renowned Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE).

The RBGE is home to one of the world’s best living collections of plants (15,000 species across four sites, amounting to five per cent of known world species), a herbarium of three million preserved specimens and one of the UK’s most comprehensive botanical libraries.

RBGE offers collections-based biodiversity research opportunities across a wide spectrum of organisms and geographical regions. This diversity, coupled with the RBGE’s world-leading research in different continents, provides an unrivalled masters programme in plant biodiversity.

Programme structure

This programme is full-time and consists of two terms of lectures, practicals, workshops and investigations, followed by a four-month research project. The programme includes a two-week field course in a tropical country (recently Belize).

The programme is delivered mainly at RBGE but also at the University’s King’s Buildings campus. There are no optional elements to the programme – all courses are compulsory.

Courses

Your research project will be chosen in consultation with your supervisor, and will link directly with active research programmes at RBGE or other research institutions.

The field trip, together with training and a short practical exam, qualifies you for the RBGE Certificate in Practical Field Botany.

Career Opportunities

The programme gives you a good preparation for roles in taxonomy, while many graduates have also continued to PhD studies. Past students have entered a wide variety of jobs at research institutions, conservation agencies and elsewhere.

Funding

Please see Scholarships and Student Funding Services for information about funding opportunities:

Closing Date

The closing date for submission of applications to this programme for entry in September 2013 is 31 May 2013.

Further Information

This article was published on Apr 25, 2013


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