MASTER OF SCIENCE IN GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Overview

This programme was developed in order to address the emerging interest  prudent in the environmental  after the world realized the planet resources are finite and were getting depleted at very high rate hence the need for sustainable development that takes care of the present and future generations. After the Rio Summit on Environment and Development which proposed the Agenda 21 (Agenda for the 21st Century) each country promised to implement projects and land use activities that protects and preserves environmental integrity. Such projects require highly trained personnel hence the need for our country to start advanced training on the management of environment and natural resources. The Subject Benchmarks under this programme, within the UNESCO International Standard Classification of Education, include 031 (environmental sciences); 0522 (Natural environments and wildlife), 0532 (Earth sciences, especially Geography), 0712 (environmental protection) and 1022(occupational health and safety)

his programme intends on promoting environmentally sound development strategies within the framework of national development planning and to suggest realistic options. It trains students to be good managers and planners of the environment and conservation of natural resources so that they can participate in management and research in natural resources which are the resource base of life support systems and our economy. Our students acquire knowledge to be lead consultants in matters environment and development.

GOAL OF THE PROGRAMME

The goal of this progamme is to train students to be leaders in environmental planning and management. They will acquire critical knowledge required for conservation and management of the natural resources required both at the international and national levels. The programme has been developed based on need analysis from key government specialized institutions and taking note to key major international environmental issues.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE PROGRAMME

At the end of the programme the learner should be able to:

  1. Develop skills necessary in identifying and analyzing environmental issues and offering remedial measures to such environmental problems.
  2. Be equipped with knowledge for incorporating environmental considerations in development, planning and decision making.
  3. c)Analyze environmental planning and management aspects as well as appraise environmental assessment and audit processes
  4. d) Apply scientific skills for research, planning, mapping and communicating geographic and environmental information.

e) Demonstrate the ability to think critically on the inter-relationships between the bio-physical and human environments.

MINIMUM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The common regulations for admission requirements for Masters Degree in the University of Nairobi shall apply. In addition, the applicant must have the following minimum qualifications:

  1. Bachelor of Arts or Science degree, of at least Upper Second Class Honors in geography or relevant discipline.
  2. Bachelor of Arts or Science degree, of Lower Second Class Honors in geography or relevant discipline and a postgraduate Diploma.
  3. Bachelor of Arts or Science degree, of Lower Second Class Honors in geography or relevant discipline and minimum of 2 years work experience in a relevant field.
  4. Bachelor of Arts or Science Pass Degree in geography or relevant discipline and Postgraduate Diploma.
  5. Bachelor of Arts or Science Pass Degree in geography or relevant discipline and 3 years work experience in a relevant field.

REGULATIONS FOR CREDIT TRANSFERS

The common regulations for credit transfer and exemptions of the University of Nairobi shall apply.

  1. A student shall be allowed to seek credit transfer or exemptions for up to one-third of the total taught course units provided that they are equivalent to those offered by the University of Nairobi and were taken at equivalent level of study from an institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate.
  2. A student seeking credit transfer or exemptions shall send a formal application to the Director, Graduate School through the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Chairperson of Department, justifying the request, and attaching relevant supporting documents.
  3. Grades for transferred course units shall be entered in the candidate’s transcript while the exempted course units shall be entered as ‘exempt’.
  4. Credit transfers in case of exchange students shall be applicable only to specific Memoranda of Understanding or Agreements signed in advance between the University of Nairobi and the collaborating universities/institutions for joint programmes.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

STUDENTS OBLIGATIONS

The student shall be required to attend all the scheduled lectures and tutorials for the registered course units.

LECTURER OBLIGATION

The course lecturer shall be required to deliver the curriculum to the learners as per the teaching timetable, apply problem-based learning approaches, align the curriculum to learning needs and outcomes, be available for consultation by students, and assess learners based on the curriculum and aligned learning outcomes.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES           
  YEAR 1   YEAR 2   TOTALS
  Semester 1  Semester 2 Semester 1 Semester 2   
TUITION 156,000 156,000 156,000 156,000 624,000
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) 5,000   5,000   10,000
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) 7,000   7,000   14,000
ID CARD ( PER YEAR) 1,000   1,000   2,000
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) 2,000   2,000   4,000
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) 2,250 2,250 2,250 2,250 9,000
LIBRARY (PER YEAR) 5,000   5,000   10,000
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) 6,500 6,500     13,000
CAUTION - (ONCE) 5,000       5,000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) 1,000   1,000   2,000
THESIS EXAMINATION 0     30,000 30,000
TOTALS 190,750 164,750 179,250 188,250 723,000