University College London (UCL)

Ecology, Climate Change and Health MSc

Teaching and learning

Students will learn through a broad suite of learning approaches, including lectures, seminars and tutorials incorporating problem-based learning, group discussions, task-focused workshops, hands-on experience, teamwork, and reflective learning.

Assessment will be both formative and summative and will provide opportunities for exploration of reflective independent learning, peer feedback, problem-based learning, evidence synthesis and presentation as well as written content with a focus on various audiences.

The programme has a strong focus on applied learning but provides the theoretical as well as practical context required to plan, deliver, and manage projects designed to produce improved outcomes for both ecosystem and human health.

Modules support the development of critical skills in experimental/project design and the collection, analysis, and management of data.

The students’ practical skills and theoretical knowledge will be augmented through their own choice to broaden their multidisciplinary learning via an optional module in term one.

Students will be assessed through a variety of means to develop graduate skills as well as to test subject knowledge. Forms of assessment include:

• An individual oral presentation to peers.
• Report writing in styles from across disciplines, including a government-style policy note and scientific writing.
• Problem-based assessments that include the design of a research question and practical implementation of tools and methods in R or Python. These will develop analytical and programming skills.
• Rapid evidence synthesis, to develop skills in literature review and information distillation.
• Writing of a grant proposal and pitching the proposed project. Many careers involve designing projects, applying for funding and promoting a project so these assessments will prepare students for their future career paths.
• Reflective summary to evaluate projects and outcomes.
• A science communication strategy to develop skills in communicating science to a lay audience.
• A final research project developed in collaboration with UCL academics and/or with a programme partner.

This programme offers approximately 300 contact hours with approximately 1200 hours of self-directed learning.

There are approximately 8-12 contact hours a week during term time, 35-50 hours per week total study time (including self-study). The contact time may rise to 30-35 hours per week during full-time project work with the self-study time reducing accordingly.

Modules

Full-time

In term one, students take two core modules: Foundations of Ecology, Climate Change & Health and Computational Methods in Biodiversity Research, and one or two optional modules.

This structure provides flexibility for the development of a broad range of skills across disciplinary boundaries for their options. For example, students from a public health and epidemiology disciplinary background may choose to deepen their skills in ecology and impacts of climate change by choosing 'Foundations of Ecology & Ecological Monitoring’.

Alternatively, students with an ecological background may wish to choose to expand their knowledge of epidemiology and population health by choosing 'Epidemiology’.

In term two, students take three core modules: Data Science for Ecology, Climate Change & Health, Human & Ecosystem Health for a Changing World, and Nature Smart Challenge: One Health.

If only one optional module has been selected for term one, then students can also take an option in term two. These options offer an opportunity to broaden knowledge on both health and climate change aspects of the programme through either the “Climate Change and Health” module, ‘Community Wellbeing, Health Inequalities and the Role of Social Prescribing’ or “The Social Determinants of Global Health”.

In term three, students complete the Nature Smart Challenge module. Students will undertake an independent research project (60 credits). This is a fundamental part of the programme where students will be embedded within a research group at UCL or one of the partners (ZSL or NHM) to undertake an independent research project.

This will enable students to undertake a piece of research from beginning to end, including developing the questions, collecting data, analysing data and presenting their work in the style of a scientific paper. The length of the module allows students to get a real experience of scientific research.

Periodic workshops during this period will support students in the required skills and will enable feedback from staff and peers.

Part-time

Part-time Year one

In term one, students take two core modules: Foundations of Ecology, Climate Change & Health to introduce the concepts of One Health, and Computational Methods for Biodiversity Research to introduce basic data science and statistical programming skills.

In term two of the first year, students will take one core module: Data Science for Ecology, Climate Change & Health. If a term two optional module is selected, then this will take place in year one. Options include “Climate Change & Health” or “Social Determinants of Global Health”.

In term three and over the summer, students can start developing their ideas for the research project to be undertaken in the next year.

Periodic workshops during this period will support students in the required skills and will enable feedback from staff and peers, part-time students can attend these workshops the year before they start their project to aid in the planning and preparation for undertaking the bulk of the research in their second year.

Part-time Year two

In term one of the second year, students take either one or two optional modules depending on whether an option was taken in term two of year one (‘Foundations of Ecology and Ecological Monitoring’, ‘Epidemiology’ or ‘Community Wellbeing, Health Inequalities and the Role of Social Prescribing’).

In term two of the second year, students will undertake two core modules: Human & Ecosystem Health for a Changing World and Nature Smart Challenge: One Health. Nature Smart Challenge will also run into term three.

Completion of the Nature Smart Challenge module will take place in term three. During term three and the summer term, students will undertake an independent research project (60 credits).

Compulsory modules

• Foundations in Ecology, Climate Change and Health
• Computational Methods in Biodiversity Research
• Data Science for Ecology, Climate Change and Health
• Nature Smart Challenge: One Health
• Human and Ecosystem Health in a Changing World
• MSc in Ecology, Climate Change and Health Research Project

Optional modules

• Foundations in Ecology and Ecological Monitoring
• Community Wellbeing, Health Inequalities and the role of Social Prescribing
• Epidemiology
• Climate Change and Health
• The Social Determinants of Global Health

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits in total. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Ecology, Climate Change and Health.

What this course will give you

Climate change and biodiversity loss pose this century’s greatest challenges for health and wellbeing, from food and water security to emerging infectious disease. Tackling them requires integrating ecosystem-based approaches with public health and data science – the One Health approach as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

This new interdisciplinary Ecology, Climate Change and Health MSc will equip you with the conceptual knowledge, skills and expertise to apply cutting-edge tools from ecology, epidemiology and planetary health sciences to develop operational solutions that lead to better health outcomes for people, animals and the environment.

What you can gain from this course:

• Study within UCL Genetics, Evolution and Environment, working with renowned academics from the Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, Institute for Global Health, UCL Arts and Sciences, and experts from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the Natural History Museum (NHM). UCL is ranked 6th in the world for biological sciences (QS rankings 2024).
• Gain a foundational understanding of the intersections between biodiversity, climate change and public health, and practical expertise in applying the most up-to-date analytical and data science tools including spatial analysis, machine learning, AI, genomics and data visualisation.
• Explore and analyse different health nexus issues, such as how land use is impacting the risk of wildlife pathogen spillover into human populations and how climate change is affecting food security.
• Learn in UCL’s purpose-built People and Nature Lab at the new UCL East campus in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London.
• Build the programme around the aspects of the field that most interest you, with optional specialisms in areas like ecological monitoring, epidemiology, health inequalities and social determinants of health.
• Get first-hand insight into globally-significant research underway in this area.
• Develop the science communication skills needed to inform and collaborate with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and policymakers.
• Leave equipped to advance the work of research institutions, health agencies, government agencies, NGOs, and environmental and health consultancies, or to pursue a PhD.

The foundation of your career

Gain the expertise and core capabilities to work collaboratively across ecological and social domains to address this century's emerging challenges to human and environmental health, from a One Health perspective.

You could take these sought-after skills into academic and non-academic research institutions, health agencies, local government, UK government organisations like Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department of Health and Social Care, environmental and health consultancies, or health, environment and climate NGOs. You'll also have the necessary insight and skills to undertake independent research at PhD level.

Employability

Across all industries, there’s a fast-growing need for specialists with this multidisciplinary expertise. This master’s will give you a standout combination of practical, conceptual and project management experience of developing impactful solutions to emergent global human and environmental health challenges – whether through a research, policy or implementation lens.

Networking

You’ll have regular opportunities to connect, collaborate and build professional contacts as part of your master’s.

• Network with students and academics from within and beyond the faculty at divisional, departmental and other research seminars.
• Take part in seminar series at the National History Museum and Zoological Society of London, and join regular social events organised by, and within, the three institutions.
• Work and network with industry professionals involved in the Nature-Smart Challenge module, from public health bodies, local and national government, and stakeholders including the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UK-CEH).
• Take part in careers events through UCL Careers during the academic year, and enhance your CV writing and interview skills.
• Meet alumni to hear about their experiences and how the course has helped them progress in their careers