Modules

Full-time

In term one, you will take three core modules that cover (i) the impacts of building and infrastructure design and construction on nature; (ii) the fundamental aspects of ecological theory, survey design and sampling, sensing and sensor technology and their ecological applications; (iii) experimental design, field techniques, data collection, visualisation, management, and analysis. 

In term two, you will develop and integrate applied skills across a range of activities delivered through two core modules. The first provides both theoretical and experiential explorations and develops practical insights on the design and build of projects that work with nature to improve biodiversity outcomes and support healthy ecosystem function. The second module - Urban Engineering: Nature-Smart Challenge - spans two terms, and you will work in teams to deliver a solution to an urban design/construction problem posed by an external client (a programme partner from industry, an NGO, or local community). To succeed, you will apply your learning, insight, skills, and experience within a team dynamic to answer a real-world urban design question in need of a pro-nature solution. 

You will further develop your interdisciplinary skills in terms one and two via optional modules you choose, selected from People and Nature Lab (BIOS0031 Technology for Nature; BIOS0032 AI for the Environment; BIOS0035 Foundations of Citizen Science) or other available UCL East electives (e.g., COMP0153 Inclusive Design and Environments).

As well as finalising the Urban Engineering Nature Smart Challenge, term three will also see the start of your individual research project. With academic support from experts in the field, you will develop an original question with UCL academics and/or in collaboration with industry partners, which in order to answer, you will draw upon and apply your learning and experience from terms one, two, and three.

Depending on the project, it may be possible to develop your research question directly from the work you complete on the ‘Nature-Smart Challenge’ module. Weekly tutor-facilitated, student-led workshops will provide the platform for you to discuss the central themes in conducting research in urban design and engineering in an ecological context, and support you in exploring and resolving challenges you may face in your own research-project work, in collaboration with your peers. 

If your research project is supervised by a member of academic staff based at Bloomsbury, you will need to spend time at this campus.

Part-time

Year One:
In term one, you will take two core modules that cover (i) the impacts of building and infrastructure design and construction on nature; (ii) the fundamental aspects of ecological theory, survey design and sampling, sensing and sensor technology and their ecological applications; (iii) experimental design, field techniques, data collection, visualisation, management, and analysis.

In term two, you will develop and integrate applied skills across a range of activities delivered through a core module which provides both theoretical and experiential explorations and develops practical insights on the design and build of projects that work with nature to improve biodiversity outcomes and support healthy ecosystem function. 

You will further develop your interdisciplinary skills in terms one and two via optional modules you choose, selected from People and Nature Lab (BIOS0031 Technology for Nature; BIOS0032 AI for the Environment; BIOS0035 Foundations of Citizen Science) or other available UCL East electives (e.g., COMP0153 Inclusive Design and Environments).

Year Two:
In term one, you will take one core module that covers experimental design, field techniques, data collection, visualisation, management, and analysis. 

In term two, you will continue to develop and integrate applied skills across a range of activities delivered through Nature-Smart Challenge: Urban Engineering. This spans two terms, and you will work in teams to deliver a solution to an urban design/construction problem posed by an external client (a programme partner from industry, an NGO, or local community). To succeed, you will apply your learning, insight, skills, and experience within a team dynamic to answer a real-world urban design question in need of a pro-nature solution. 

As well as finalising the Urban Engineering Nature Smart Challenge, term three will also see the start of your individual research project. With academic support from experts in the field, you will develop an original question with UCL academics and/or in collaboration with industry partners, which in order to answer, you will draw upon and apply your learning and experience from terms one, two, and three.

Depending on the project, it may be possible to develop your research question directly from the work you complete on the ‘Nature-Smart Challenge’ module. Weekly tutor-facilitated, student-led workshops will provide the platform for you to discuss the central themes in conducting research in urban design and engineering in an ecological context, and support you in exploring and resolving challenges you may face in your own research-project work, in collaboration with your peers. 

If your research project is supervised by a member of academic staff based at Bloomsbury, you will need to spend time at this campus.

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. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

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 and Urban Engineering.