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).
The interdisciplinary MSc in Ecology, Climate Change and Health focuses on translating One Health ideas into practice: from fundamental concepts, to generating evidence through cutting-edge data science, to developing and testing interventions. You will gain the expertise to apply innovative concepts and tools from ecology, epidemiology, food systems, climate change and planetary health sciences, and gain first-hand experience in designing solutions to improve the health of people, animals and ecosystems.
Based in UCL Genetics, Evolution and Environment, the MSc draws on expertise from across UCL and partner organisations including the Zoological Society of London and the Natural History Museum. You’ll learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, data science practicals and collaborative project work, and conduct original research with close mentorship from leading academics and industry experts. During our unique Nature-Smart Challenge module, you’ll work directly with partners from industry, government, NGOs and community groups to develop solutions to real-world problems.
Across all industries, there’s a fast-growing need for specialists with this multidisciplinary expertise. This MSc course will give you a standout combination of conceptual knowledge and practical skills in data science, research project management and co-development of solutions to human and environmental health challenges. These skills will equip you for the next stage in your career, whether in research, implementation or policy.
This MSc will equip you with the knowledge, experience and core capabilities to practically apply the One Health perspective to address key challenges for human and environmental health. You could take these sought-after skills into academic and non-academic research institutions, health agencies, local government, UK government organisations like the 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.