" ...promoting care and understanding of our oceans
through science, research, and education"
WHO ARE WE AND WHAT DO WE DO?
The Centre for Coastal Conservation and Education
was established in January 1998 at Bournemouth University in recognition
of the School of Conservation Science's growing reputation and expertise
in coastal conservation, management and education. Under the Directorship
of Dr Carolyn Heeps the Centre provides a focus for a wide range of scientific,
research and educational activities and opportunities:
MSc Coastal Zone Management
This highly successful course taught within the
School of Conservation Sciences, continues to provide truly professional
and vocational training for those wishing to pursue a career in the many
aspects of coastal zone management. The course is a one year full-time
programme comprising a taught element spread over 2 terms followed by a
minimum 10 week supervised work placement and a personal project phase.
Students are awarded the MSc on successful completion of all 3 parts of
the course. The taught units provide students with a scientifically sound
underpinning of knowledge combined with the necessary professional skills
and practical techniques required by coastal practitioners. Placement opportunities
are diverse and include government agencies, environmental organisations,
regulatory bodies, consultancy groups, industry and commerce. Placements
can be carried out overseas too. Employment opportunities after completion
of the programme are encouraging with graduates securing jobs in local
authorities, government agencies, international shipping organisations,
conservation bodies, consultancy groups and academic institutions.
Continuing Professional Development
The Centre for Coastal Conservation is currently
developing accredited courses of direct relevance to coastal managers and
marine industry personnel. The courses are drawing in experts from the
fields of seabed mapping, scientific diving, environmental monitoring and
data collection and GIS in order to give participants up to date information
and the means to transfer cutting-edge research into practical solutions
for coastal management issues and problems.
Public Understanding of Science
Staff within the Centre have a proven track record
of delivering science throughout the community. The School of Conservation
Sciences runs the University's Continuing Education Department which provides
the community with a wide range of learning opportunities from short courses
and conferences to evening lectures and dayschools. In recognition that
1998 is UN International Year of the Ocean a series of public lectures
with a marine theme has been organised covering topics as diverse as wealth
of the oceans, marine conservation initiatives from around the world and
marine archaeology. Staff regularly give talks and presentations to local
interest groups on marine and coastal topics. Staff in the Centre have
received awards for public outreach. Funding from the Committee on the
Public Understanding of Science (COPUS) has been used to develop educational
projects, including producing a CD-ROM on underwater acoustics, organising
a seminar to encourage press and broadcast media to cover more coastal
stories and issues, developing materials to improve understanding of bathing
water quality data, and organising seashore activities days for junior
scientists.
Research and Consultancy
Centre staff have an international research profile.
They regularly publish in professional journals and give presentations
at international and national conferences. Research interests and expertise
include coastal zone management, coastal and seabed geomorphology, marine
and intertidal ecology, water quality, tourism, marine conservation, interpretation
and education. Research carried out in the Centre aims to be highly applicable
to coastal management and consequently staff work closely with practitioners
and interest groups at local and national level. Staff have worked on many
different types of consultancy projects including shoreline management,
tourism and educational initiatives.
To Contact the Centre:
by post:
Centre for Coastal Conservation and Education School of Conservation Sciences Bournemouth University Poole, Dorset UK BH12 5BB
