MSc Computational Methods in Ecology and Evolution
Overview
In this unique course we teach quantitative methods and biological concepts together, through application of the methods to cutting-edge biological research problems.
The focus is on current topics in modern quantitative biology, such as interactions between ecological and evolutionary dynamics, and the effects of climate change on ecological communities.
You will also have the chance to develop your knowledge in mathematical, statistical, and computing tools through their application to important research problems.
Over the past 10–20 years, biology has become increasingly quantitative, and mathematical sciences have in turn been increasingly influenced by biology.
It has been said that “mathematics is biology's next microscope, only better” (Cohen, Plos Biology, 2004) because mathematical, statistical, and computational sciences will continue to reveal unsuspected and entirely new worlds within biology, just as the microscope revealed previously unseen worlds following its invention.
It has also been said that “biology is mathematics' next physics, only better” (Cohen, Plos Biology) because biology will in turn continue to spur major new developments in computation, mathematics and statistics, just as physics has done in past centuries.
This course is suitable for:
- Life scientists wishing to expand their quantitative skills in light of the increasingly quantitative nature of modern biology
- Physical scientists (mathematicians, physicists, statisticians, computer scientists) with a strong interest in biology
Study programme
You take approximately half of your core modules in the Autumn term before completing the remainder in the Spring term.
You begin your research project in the Summer term which accounts for half of your MSc grade.
Careers
The course serves as ideal preparation for either PhD studies or employment in fields of applied quantitative biology, such as resource management and conservation.
Silwood Park open day
Our courses in ecology, evolution and conservation biology are taught at Silwood Park campus.
An open day will be held on Wednesday 17 July 2019 and is an opportunity for you to:
- find out more about Master's courses and PhD opportunities
- tour the campus and on-site accommodation
Structure
Modules shown are for the current academic year and are subject to change depending on your year of entry.
Please note that the curriculum of this course is currently being reviewed as part of a College-wide process to introduce a standardised modular structure. As a result, the content and assessment structures of this course may change for your year of entry. We therefore recommend that you check this course page before finalising your application and after submitting it as we will aim to update this page as soon as any changes are ratified by the College.
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about changes we have made.
You study a combination of taught modules and complete a research project.
Structure
Taught modules
You take all of the core modules below.
- Bayesian Statistics
- Biological Computing in Python
- Biological Computing in R
- Biological Data Structures and C
- Ecological Modelling
- Evolutionary Modelling
- Foundations of Biological Computing
- Generalised Linear Modelling
- Genomics and Bioinformatics
- High Performance Computing (HPC)
- HPC Long Practical
- Maths for Biology
- Maximum Likelihood
- Miniproject
- Population Genetics
- Research Project
- Spatial Analyses and GIS
- Statistics in R
Research project
You will take a research project in the Summer term, lasting about six months. The project can be supervised by staff members from Imperial or a number of outside institutes with which we have collaborative links (including Kew Botanical Gardens, the Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, and the Institute of Zoology).
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
- Computer-based work with cloud-based version control
- Individual research project and dissertation (5 months; can include placements)
- Lectures
- Mini projects
- Online lecture and assessment materials
- Online seminar recordings
- Primers
- Seminars
Assessment methods
- Computing coursework
- Mini-project
- HPC Long Practical
- Seminar Diary
- Exams
- Oral presentations
- Final Project Report + Presentation
- Viva
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Admissions
Minimum academic requirement
Our minimum requirement is a 2.1 degree in life sciences or physical sciences.
A suitable grounding in mathematics is required, for example: A-level Mathematics grade A or B.
International qualifications
We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications.
The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a UK qualification.
For guidance see our Country Index though please note that the standards listed here are the minimum for entry to the College, and not specifically this Department.
If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team.
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.
How to apply
Making an application
All applicants must apply online.
For full details on the online application process, please visit the admissions website.
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can usually choose up to two courses.
ATAS certificate
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Tuition fees and funding
The level of tuition fees you pay is based on your fee status, which we assess based on UK government legislation.
For more information on the funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Fees and Funding website.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees (Home and EU students)
| 2020 entry |
|---|
| £12,200 per year |
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2020 will apply to fees for the academic year 2020–2021.
Tuition fees (Overseas and Islands students)
| 2020 entry |
|---|
| £24,250 per year |
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2020 will apply to fees for the academic year 2020–2021.
Postgraduate Master's loan
If you are a Home or EU student who meets certain criteria, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government.
For 2019-20 entry, the maximum amount was of £10,906. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students to support you through your studies. Try our scholarships search tool to see what you might be eligible for.
There are a number of external organisations also offer awards for Imperial students, find out more about non-Imperial scholarships.
Accommodation and living costs
Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.
You can compare costs across our different accommodation options on our Accommodation website.
A rough guide to what you might expect to spend to live in reasonable comfort in London is available on our Fees and Funding website.
Further information
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