MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (MBSD)

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

To develop knowledge, skills and competencies in the field of Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable development relevant to various employment capabilities and careers in the world of work and society. To prepare students for further studies and lifelong learning Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable development. To cultivate an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit in graduates of the programme.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

For all entry pathways candidates must have at least five Ordinary Level subjects including English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject at grade C or better.

Normal Entry: Normally a BSc Honours degree in Biological Sciences or Environmental Science or any related field with at least a 2.2 degree class.

Special Entry: Applicants with a degree class of 3 but have considerable experience in a related industry will be considered

Mature Entry: No provision for mature entry.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION

Employability: Conservationists and Ecologists with Conservation organisations, Environmental Managers, Curators at natural history museums, Lecturers in Technical colleges and universities, and Entrepreneurs in fisheries and related industries. 

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Code Description       Credits

Level 1 Semester 1

MBSD 731 Research Methods in Biodiversity Conservation 20

MBSD 732 Current Issues in Biodiversity Conservation 20

MBSD 733 Sustainable Development and Conservation 20

MBSD 734 Conservation Biology 20

MBSD 735 GIS and Remote Sensing in Biodiversity Conservation 20

Level 1 Semester 2

MBSD 736 Systematics and Biodiversity 20

MBSD 737 Molecular Methods in Biodiversity 20

Choose TWO from the following electives:

MBSD 738 Climate Change Impact and Mitigation 20

MBSD 739 Aquatic Pollution and Ecotoxicology 20

SYNOPSES

MBSD 731 Research Methods in Biodiversity Conservation

Analytical and writing skills essential for careers in Ecology, Conservation and Environmental Management ranging from sampling & experimental design; exploratory data analysis; statistical inferences in regression analysis & univariate statistical analysis; multivariate techniques; estimating abundance in animal & plant populations; estimating community parameters; estimation of survival rates; database management, and scientific communication skills.

MBSD 732 Current Issues in Biodiversity Conservation 

Introduction: definition of biodiversity. Current issues: Poverty, Limited attention to the management of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and Invasive Alien Species (IAS), Human-Wildlife conflict, exponential human population growth, habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, knowledge gap, Inadequate research and development approaches for biodiversity initiatives,  Limited and unsustainable funding for implementing biodiversity programmes, Corruption, Lack of political will, Blockage of migratory corridors, Climate change, Civil wars, Overexploitation of wildlife due to poaching and unregulated legal hunting, Habitat degradation and loss and associated risks of species extinction, Wildfires, Weak institutional and legal frameworks for carrying out biodiversity initiatives. Wildlife Diseases.

MBSD 733 Sustainable Development and Conservation

Introduction: meaning of Sustainable Development, history. Pillars of SD: environment, economy, and society. Principles of SD: conservation of ecosystem and biodiversity, production systems, population control, human resource management, conservation of progressive culture and people’s participation. The sustainable development goals (SDGs). Key players: the United Nations, governments, private sector, and civil society organisations.

MBSD 734 Conservation Biology

Types of Biodiversity: genetic, species, ecosystem; alpha, beta, gama; Biodiversity of southern Africa. Importance of Biodiversity- Productive value, Consumptive value, Social value, Aesthetic value, Ethical value, Ecological value, Economic value, Uses of Biodiversity. Application of biological techniques to the specific problems of biodiversity, species preservation, ecological sustainability, and habitat fragmentation in the face of advancing human, social, economic, and industrial pressures. Social science dimensions of conservation and sustainable development, social economic, and political considerations in managing natural resources, policy-level aspects to project implementation. Strategies of Biodiversity conservation. Conservation methods: in situ vs ex-situ conservation.

MBSD 735 GIS and Remote Sensing in Biodiversity Conservation 

This module focuses on the application of GIS and remote sensing in Biodiversity Conservation. Instruments, e.g. satellite sensors, provide data which can be used for studying individual organisms, species assemblages or ecological communities on the ground. The image processing and GIS techniques developed to derive information from the captured satellite data are reviewed. Use of GIS and remote sensing techniques for mapping, monitoring and modelling organisms and their habitats.

MBSD 736 Systematics and Biodiversity

History of taxonomy and uses of classifications and phylogenies; Sources and handling of taxonomic data; Theory and practice of biodiversity assessment. Conceptual issues of biodiversity, analysis and practical application; Within country monitoring of biodiversity and conservation programmes; Analytical methods include diversity indices, species abundance models, species accumulation curves, comparative species richness and abundance.

MBSD 737 Molecular Methods in Analyses of Biodiversity

Principles of molecular genetics and their implications for molecular measurement of genetic diversity: DNA structure and organization, nuclear and cytoplasmic DNA, transcription and translation, protein structure, gene organization and its implication for sequence divergence, mutational mechanisms and mutation rate variation in different organisms and molecular markers and its implications in population genetic diversity, genetic diversity analyses of diploid and haploid genomes. Laboratory methods for DNA analyses: theoretical background for DNA isolation, detection methods, enzymatic reaction, restriction, ligation and DNA amplification: conditions, parameters of PCR, different PCR conventional strategies PCR and variation to conventional PCR, Polymerase errors and consequences, Primer design, Primer labelling, Southern and Northern blots, DNA Sequencing methods. Laboratory methods to detect genetic variation: a historical perspective from electrophoretic analysis of proteins to genomic analysis, the use of different marker systems using restriction enzymes: AFLPs and RFLPs, construction of microsatellite libraries; Mutation rates and evolutionary models of microsatellites, genotyping and applications; Development and genotyping of SNPs. The use of SNPs arrays, data analysis; Distinction between dominant and codominant markers. New developments in next generation sequencing and its potential use for evolutionary biology research: conceptual background of whole genome sequencing, laboratory workflow, Analysis principle, detection principle for different platforms, and potential applications for molecular evolutionary biology related studies using different genome downsizing strategies. RNA molecule based method: RNA extraction: methods and problems related to it; uses of RNA: gene characterization; gene expression analyses (microarray, qRT-PCR) RNA-seq (transcriptomics); fields of application of the above-mentioned techniques.

MBSD 738 Climate Change and Mitigation

The module addresses the main drivers of climate change and the challenges encountered in climate mitigation. The course addresses following issues: The greenhouse effect, global warming and the response of the climate system to anthropogenic emissions or land use changes. Possible consequences of climate change including on biodiversity, adaptation and associated costs. Biogeochemical cycles of carbon and other important greenhouse gases and biophysical properties of land-climate interactions. Analysis of the dynamics of emissions using scenario models (SSPs, RCPs) and quantification of climate change impacts and mitigation benefits (radiative forcing, temperature, CO2-equivalents). Technological strategies to reduce emissions (renewable energy, changes in lifestyle, negative emission technologies and solar radiation management) and land management strategies for climate change mitigation, their characteristics, costs, co-benefits and barriers. Climate mitigation status and experience in selected sectors, such as industry, transport, energy and households. Climate policy instruments and framework conditions (Paris Agreements).

MBSD 739 Aquatic Pollution and Ecotoxicology

Introduction to ecotoxicology. Environmental contaminants. Contaminant fate and flow:

bioavailability bioaccumulation and trophic transfer. Metabolism and excretion. Lethal effects- toxicity testing. Sublethal effects: biochemical, physiological, behavioural, reproductive. In situ biomonitoring. Effects on Populations. Ecological risk assessment. Case studies.

MBSD 740 Conservation Genetics 

Application of principles from evolutionary and ecological genetics to conservation biology, fishery management, wildlife management, and aquaculture. Includes an overview of classical, molecular, population and quantitative genetics leading to an understanding of how managers can conserve genetic diversity and the evolutionary potential of natural and captive populations.

MBSD 741 Wildlife Parasitology

Fish parasites – protozoans, monogeneans, cestodes and nematodes, treatment procedures against fish parasites; water–borne diseases caused by protozoans and helminths; the relationship of adverse environmental factors and diseases caused by fish parasites; relationship between the severity of pollution in natural waters and parasitic diseases; fish health management in re-circulating aquaculture systems. Wildlife parasitology- diversity and complexity of host-parasite relationship in our Indigenous wildlife.

MBSD 742 Environmental Law and Policy 

Sources of international law, General Principles of International Environmental Law. Principles and legislation governing, and techniques used in Environmental Management. The module content includes Definitions; Social Impact Assessment; Environmental management Policy (ISO 14000); Environmental Auditing; Product Life cycle assessment; Environmental Risk Management; and Environmental legislation in Zimbabwe.

MBSD 831 Research project

Each student will complete a one-semester research project in one of the following areas: Biodiversity Conservation, Environmental Management, Aquatic Ecology, Aquatic Toxicology, Fisheries Management, Environmental Biotechnology, Wildlife Parasitology, and Fisheries and Aquaculture. The research project involves an experimental or observational investigation of a fundamental or practical problem in Biodiversity Conservation, or bio-product development. With guidance from an academic supervisor, each student should choose and propose his/her own project theme. Each student is required to submit a proposal, carry out an independent research project or develop a product; submit a final written report, and deliver an oral presentation.