[Taxacom] MSc in the Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants

[Louis Ronse de Craene]

MSc/Dipl. Course in the Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants

A one year course organized by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the University of Edinburgh

Running since 1992, this highly acclaimed course benefits from a close connection between the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, one of the leading institutions for the study and conservation of plants, and the University of Edinburgh, one of the top universities in the world.


 *   Students are based at RBGE, with major collections of living and preserved plants, an extensive library, and modern research facilities;
 *   World experts deliver and design the course and students benefit from a supportive and inspiring environment;
 *   Edinburgh is one of four Scottish gardens run by RBGE, encompassing many habitats and an incredible plant collection;
 *   In addition, Edinburgh is a great city to be a student with a thrilling cultural and social life.

Taught part of the course
The course covers following modules:

 *   Evolution and biodiversity of angiosperms
 *   Evolution and biodiversity of cryptogamic plants and fungi
 *   Phylogenetics and Population genetics
 *   Conservation science, statistical analysis and fieldwork techniques
 *   Herbarium taxonomy, collections, and conservation
 *   A tropical field course in Central or South America

Research project
The course includes a three-month scientific research project enabling the student to become part of a research team, benefiting from extensive experience.
The course places great emphasis on fundamental knowledge (identifying plants and their evolution), as well as acquiring practical field- and herbarium techniques, giving a strong basis for botanists, ecologists and other natural scientists embarking on a career in biodiversity. There are excellent prospects for graduates in academia, industry, and conservation.

The course aims to be more than just a degree – it unlocks a better understanding of the world of plants and their importance to humanity’s future. This aspiration becomes increasingly important in our present world, where demographic pressures push the natural world to its limits despite huge areas remaining unexplored.
The course can be spread over two years on request.
To find out more and download the course handbook go to: www.rbge.org.uk/msctaxonomy<http://www.rbge.org.uk/msctaxonomy>

Contact
For more information contact: Vicky Mactaggart (Programme Administrator) -Phone: +44 (0)131 651 7052 - Email: btpmsc at ed.ac.uk<mailto:btpmsc at ed.ac.uk>
or the Course Directors: Dr. Louis Ronse De Craene (l.ronsedecraene at rbge.ac.uk<mailto:l.ronsedecraene at rbge.ac.uk>) and Prof. Andrew Hudson (andrew.hudson at ed.ac.uk<mailto:andrew.hudson at ed.ac.uk>)

To apply: go to
http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/degrees/index.php?r=site/view&id=1<http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/degrees?id=1&cw_xml=details.php> and search under Biological, Biomedical and Life Sciences, where you will find a link to the program.

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The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a charity registered in Scotland (No SC007983)