An elephant in the wild An elephant in the wild

Course Summary

From newts to bats, gorillas to cats, there’s always more to learn about the mechanisms underlying behaviour. On this course, you will get to grips with cutting-edge techniques used by top scientists to uncover the secrets of the natural world.

You will explore how our most recent findings can be applied to solve real-world problems, such as enhancing captive animal management or mitigating the effects of climate change. You will gain an understanding of key ethical dilemmas in the field, improve your research skills, and explore a topic of specific interest to you in a personal dissertation project.

At Chester, you will learn directly from leaders in the field of animal behavioural research. Our School is a friendly, welcoming community, where students from a range of backgrounds will experience thought-provoking research seminars and approachable, supportive staff. From hormone assays to genetic analysis, we have the facilities you will need to develop key laboratory skills. Chester is also well placed to enable you to hone your field-based skills as nature reserves, zoos, and national parks are closely located.

You can expect a diverse range of dissertation opportunities and the chance to directly participate in ground-breaking research as you get involved with long-term research projects led by our staff, both in the UK and abroad. Our teaching team has strong links to industry, and your dissertation project could provide you with valuable networking opportunities, such as experience in a specialist fields like wildlife monitoring or animal management. We have close links with zoos, aquaria, charities, and NGOs. These connections will be invaluable for you to take advantage of as you start your future career path.

Practical application is a key focus in this course. Authentic coursework will target your problem-solving skills and you will have the opportunity to build an online careers portfolio with help from a designated tutor. The assessments we set, which evidence your ability to communicate information with a variety of audiences, using a range of media, are both engaging and highly applicable to a range of employment opportunities. No exams are included in this degree.

Why you'll Love it


What you'llStudy

Six taught modules use a lively seminar and discussion group format to support deep learning and skills acquisition. Students have the choice of two modules focusing on laboratory skill development, allowing personalisation of the course according to your interests and needs. Taught modules are complemented by an intensive research project, for which you are supported by one-to-one meetings with your dissertation supervisor. Compulsory modules include: Research Dissertation; Biodiversity Informatics; Contemporary Issues in Animal Behaviour; Behavioural Ecology in a Changing World; Human-Animal Interactions and Animal Welfare; and Animal Welfare and Ethics. You then have a choice of laboratory-focused modules, which include: Conservation Genetics and Conservation Physiology.

Module content:

1) Genetics as a tool for conservation

2) Genetic markers

3) The use of non-invasive genetic techniques

4) Population-level genetic processes

5) Phylogenetic Comparative Methods

6) Interpreting genetic data to inform management


Module aims:

This module aims to provide an introduction to cutting-edge genetic and genomic techniques that are used to inform conservation actions. During the course, learners will be introduced, both theoretically and practically, to the genetic approaches that are currently implemented to inform conservation management actions for species in the wild. The module explores the importance of genetic processes to species survival and how genetic techniques can be used as a tool to answered questions of conservation concern.

Module content:

1. Introduction to module; 2. Project planning; 3. Literature searching, evaluation and referencing; 4. Identification of ethical issues and application for approval; 5. Quantitative research design; 6. Statistical methods; 7. Preparation for scientific dissemination: Preparing journal articles, scientific posters and oral presentations.


Module aims:

  1. To provide the student with an opportunity to investigate systematically, and in depth, a topic of direct relevance to the programme of study and his/her personal interests.
  2. To enable the student to draw on and contribute to the development of the growing body of knowledge relevant to the programme of study and his/her personal interests.
  3. To present the outcomes of personal research in the form of a) scientific paper, in the form of a journal article, b) scientific poster and c) oral presentation.

Module content:


Module aims:

Module content:

Expected topics to be covered include:

Welfare assessment advances and their practical applications from the perspectives of various stakeholders

Legal aspects and public perceptions of various animal groups and their welfare needs and status 

Human-animal relationships and their impact on various groups of animals 

Critical discussions on definitions of welfare and well-being

Current global threats to animal welfare including disease transmission


Module aims:

This module will:

  1. Advance student understanding of the impact that human knowledge, experience and behaviour have on the welfare of the animals they interact with
  2. Explore how different stakeholder groups view the same animal groups
  3. Expand knowledge of welfare threats faced by key animal groups 
  4. Develop student communication and argument skills in the field of animal welfare 

Module content:

The module will provide a forum for engagement with and critical discussion of issues at the forefront of the field of Animal Behaviour. Current research areas will be examined in depth enabling evaluation of their roots, progression, current application and likely future development. Indicative advanced research fields are: Mate Choice; Communication; Primatology; Animal Social Networks.  


Module aims:

1) To engage with areas of research at the forefront of animal behaviour, understand how these have arisen, their current significance and likely future development.

2) To enable critical evaluation (individually and via group discussion) of the literature and expert-led seminar material.

3) To provide assessment opportunities to enable students to develop subject specific and employer valued skills, particularly in critical, creative thinking and highly developed verbal and written communication.

Module content:

This module will focus on our understanding of wild animal behaviour in a natural environment. This includes the various biotic and abiotic factors influencing behaviour, and in particular how human impacts and climate change are currently driving behavioural changes in wild populations.

Teaching will be research-informed and will cover key areas such as: behavioural plasticity, social learning, epigenetics, social dynamics, conservation behaviour and phylogenetic comparative analyses. The specialist skills of science communication and writing grant applications will also be taught within specific workshops during this module.


Module aims:

  1. To critically discuss how behavioural ecological principles can be used to solve real-life problems within the fields of conservation and wildlife management.
  2. To develop students' understanding of modern research methods and approaches that can be used to effectively study animal behaviour in wild habitats.
  3. To appreciate how human impacts/climate change can affect wild animal behaviour and how these effects can be mitigated by appropriate strategies.
  4. To develop key communication skills targeting both academic and non-academic audiences.

Module content:

This module draws together current scientific knowledge on animal sentience, capacities and ability to suffer and reflects on potential implications for the use and ethical treatment of animals in modern society. Expected topics to be covered include:

  • Extending the concept of consciousness and sentience to non-human animals
  • Cultural variations in the moral status of animals and ethical treatment
  • Animal learning, cognitive abilities and ethical considerations: intra and inter-species variations
  • Psychological states and welfare
  • Pain perception, sentience and ability to suffer
  • Quality of life assessments and palliative care
  • Ethics in animal research
  • Euthanasia, humane killing and eating animals
  • Incorporating animal ethics into policy writing
  • Future directions for bioethics

Module aims:

This module will advance students' understanding on:

1-The breadth of animal characteristics and plasticity of animal traits that are potentially morally relevant, and that merit consideration for the humane and effective management of different species reared for human purposes.

2-Critical assessment of current ethical issues in the field of animal welfare science, essential for decision making and ethical treatment of animals.

3-Communication and articulation of concepts, arguments and scientific reasoning within the field of animal welfare science and ethics. 

4-Ethical considerations in the development of quality-of-life assessments for different animal species.

Module content:

Critically assess conservation physiology and the key methodologies employed (across the taxa) with a focus on stress endocrinology, immune function and disease function using in depth knowledge of the primary literature.

Understand the key elements of stress endocrinology, immune function and disease and how these are impacted.

Understand the theoretical and practical underpinnings of enzyme-immunoassays. Carry out an EIA in the laboratory and critically analyse the assay performance and endocrine data yielded.

Discuss the ethical considerations relevant to conservation physiology.


Module aims:

The aim of the module is to give students a critical appreciation of the practice, ethics and underlying science of Conservation Physiology - an newly emerging field. The module will focus on two prominent aspects of this field: endocrinology and immunology.

 

MSc Animal Behaviour

MSc Animal Behaviour

Who you'll Learn from

Dr Christina Stanley

University Innovation Fellow, Senior Lecturer in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Programme Leader for MSc Animal Behaviour & MSc Animal Welfare
Dr Christina Stanley

Dr Kelly Gouveia

Lecturer in Bioveterinary Sciences, Programme leader BSc Animal Welfare
Dr Kelly Gouveia

Dr Lottie Hosie

Senior Lecturer
Dr Lottie Hosie

Kate Peters

Lecturer
A dark grey silhouette on a light grey background

Dr Alison Fletcher

Reader Biological Sciences
Dr Alison Fletcher

How you'll Learn

Teaching

Teaching is usually delivered in small groups via seminars, workshops, and discussion groups. There might also be laboratory practicals and field trips on some modules. Sessions for taught modules are usually delivered over three set days each week, between October and April, with your dissertation project being completed on a flexible basis between April and September.

Assessment

Assessment methods are varied and are targeted towards future employment. These could include science communication, funding applications, synthetic reviews, laboratory reports, and conference-format poster presentations

Entry Requirements

2:1 honours degree

Applicants should normally possess an honours degree (minimum 2:1) in a biological/behavioural/ecological science (e.g. animal behaviour, conservation biology, zoology) including components of experimental design and statistical analysis. 

Students with a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree in an unrelated area must demonstrate on application that they have equivalent experience in a related field, e.g. wildlife conservation, captive animal management. They must also demonstrate on application evidence of experimental design and basic statistical analysis skills, perhaps gained during completion of a research dissertation or by carrying out an additional course.

We recommend that all applicants:

  • Nominate two academic referees as part of their application who can provide letters of recommendation which highlight the applicant’s academic achievements, work commitment and relevant experience.
  • Include in their personal statement and CV details of any relevant extracurricular training, volunteering and/or relevant work experience they have obtained. This could include working with a local wildlife trust, animal rescue centre or zoo, for example.
  • Submit a transcript of marks with the application.

Applicants may be interviewed.

2:1 honours degree

Applicants should normally possess an honours degree (minimum 2:1) in a biological/behavioural/ecological science (e.g. animal behaviour, conservation biology, zoology) including components of experimental design and statistical analysis. Applicants will also have relevant animal-related experience.

Students with a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree in an unrelated area must demonstrate on application that they have equivalent experience in a related field, e.g. wildlife conservation, captive animal management. They must also demonstrate on application evidence of experimental design and basic statistical analysis skills, perhaps gained during completion of a research dissertation or by carrying out an additional course.

We recommend that all applicants:

  • Nominate two academic referees as part of their application who can provide letters of recommendation which highlight the applicant’s academic achievements, work commitment and relevant experience.
  • Include in their personal statement and CV details of any relevant extracurricular training, volunteering and/or relevant work experience they have obtained. This could include working with a local wildlife trust, animal rescue centre or zoo, for example.
  • Submit a transcript of marks with the application.

Applicants may be interviewed.

English Language Requirements

For those who do not have IELTS or an acceptable in-country English language qualification, the University of Chester has developed its own online English language test which applicants can take for just £50.

For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

Where you'll Study Exton Park, Chester

Fees and Funding

£9,360 per year (2024/25)

Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses in the academic year 2024/25 are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page.

£14,750 per year (2024/25)

The tuition fees for international students studying Postgraduate programmes in 2024/25 are £14,750.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. 

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees & Finance section of our website.

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

Our course is specifically targeted at giving you the skills you need to pursue a successful career. Whether this is in a behaviour-related field (perhaps managing wild or captive animals, providing behavioural consultancy services, or in academic research) or in a broader career (journalism, teaching or policy-making perhaps), we will help you stand out from the crowd in your applications.

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.