MRes Primate Biology, Behaviour And Conservation

Gain the skills required to carry out theoretical and field research in primatology to advance in your career or further study. 

Primatology is a discipline that has its roots in anatomy, biology, anthropology and psychology. This programme covers a comprehensive range of topics within primatology and combines theoretical investigation with fieldwork and laboratory sessions. It also offers intensive training in research methods and statistics. 

You will begin the year by studying an in-depth range of topics in primatology, as well as learning the theory and practice of primatological research. Recent examples of topics covered include social behaviour, cognition, endocrinology, ranging and habitat use, social networks, human-wildlife conflict, morphology and brain size evolution. 

After your first semester, the emphasis will be on independent study, where you will be undertaking a substantial piece of original research. You will develop your intellectual, practical and analytical skills to devise a viable project proposal. You will carry out your project and produce a paper suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed scientific journal and a press release to promote your project’s findings. Many of our graduates have subsequently published their work in international journals such as Biology Letters, American Journal of Primatology, Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Animal Behaviour and Biological Conservation. 

Field work lasts for three months, usually from March to May. You will have the support of your supervisor in arranging data collection for your research project. In the laboratory, students have used geographic information systems to explore ranging behaviour, analysed parasites from wild primates and performed non-invasive hormone analysis. 

The University of Roehampton has established networks with leading institutions and field sites around the world and in the UK. You will be taught by leading experts in the field who carry out their own world-leading research. You can also find more details on the course Twitter and Instagram pages.