Overview
MSc. IN GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
The world is experiencing a number of emerging environmental and sustainability challenges that need to be addressed. Furthermore, the planet's resources are finite and are getting depleted at a very high rate hence the need for sustainable development, as well as sustainable management of the environment and natural resources that takes into account the present and future generations. Geography and environmental studies apply a multidisciplinary approach to understand and analyse sustainability dynamics of the complex interactions between bio-physical and human environments in space and time (location and spatial-temporal analysis).
The goal of the programme is to train and produce competent professionals and human resource who can contribute towards sustainable development planning and management and to provide an un-rivalled environment in which to study human-environment interactions, natural resources management, urban development and sustainability.The areas and fields of specialization under the Master of Science Degree Programme in the Geography and Environmental Studies include:
- Hydrology and Water Resources Management
- Sustainable Urban Development
Philosophy of the programme
The philosophy of the programme is to bridge the social sciences, humanities and natural sciences and to offer innovative postgraduate training and research in diverse fields of environmental, water resource management and sustainability studies for sustainable development and in response to public and private sector professional needs. The science and knowledge in environmental and sustainability studies is geared towards contributing to the achievement of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), African Union Agenda 2063 and various national development goals and agenda.
The programme is intended to equip the learner with desired values, attitudes, knowledge, skills and competencies to analyse the complex and dynamic development, environmental, natural resource use and sustainability challenges; provide innovative, creative and sustainable solutions; and build a resilient and just world. The learner can gain a better understanding and knowledge of environmentally sound development strategies within the framework of global, regional, national and local development and to suggest realistic sustainability options. In addition, the learner will better understand and analyse the ever-changing bio-physical environment, human-environment interactions, and the complex realities of the earth to make informed and critical decisions for a resilient and just world. As such, knowledge, skills and competencies in geography and environmental studies is relevant in a wide range of career opportunities and sectors of the economy.
Objective of the program
The objective of the programme is to train and produce competent professionals and human resource who can contribute towards sustainable development planning and management and to provide an unrivalled environment in which to study human-environment interactions, natural resources management, urban development and sustainability.
Mode of delivery
The program will be offered on the following modes
a) Face-to-Face Mode
This will be offered through didactic lectures, case studies, tutorials, seminars, class discussions and presentations, and fieldwork.
b) Open Distance and e-Learning Mode
This will be offered using a multi-media approach that includes self-instructional print and electronic study materials. This will include interactive study materials and both synchronous and asynchronous modes of learning. Online teaching and learning shall be offered through the Learning Management Systems (LMS) of the University of Nairobi.
c)Blended Learning Mode
This will combine both face-to-face and online learning approaches.
Schedule of intakes
The programmes will be admitting applicants once per year during September intake as per the faculty of Arts and Social Sciences guidelines
Detailed application information is provided in the university of Nairobi website.
Contact Information
The Chairman, Geography Population & Environmental Studies
P.O. BOX 30197 – 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254-020-4918222
E-mail: geopopes@uonbi.ac.ke
Structure
Exams Regulations
a) Course work
(i) Each course shall be examined by a 1 x 3 hour written examination.
(ii) End of semester examination shall constitute 70% while continuous
assessment shall constitute 30% (of the marks in each course).
(iii) Continuous assessment shall be evaluated in each course on the basis of
seminar papers, tutorials, essays, practical exercises and assignments.
(iv) The pass mark shall be 50% in each paper.
(v) Candidates who fail to satisfy the examiners in any course may on the recommendation of the Institute Board of Examiners and approval by Senate be allowed to take up to two resit examinations during the next ordinary examination time within the stipulated study period.
(vi) A pass obtained in the resit examination shall be recorded as 50% in the candidates' academic record.
(vii) Candidates who fail to satisfy the examiners in the resit examination in any course or fails to complete their study within the stipulated period shall on recommendation of the Institute Board of Examiners and approval by Senate to discontinue.
b) Research Project
(a) The supervisors should help students to identify possible areas of research during the second semester of the study.
(b) The actual research projects should commence at the beginning of the fourth semester of the study.
(c) The students will be required to present before staff and other fellow students their prepared/complete research proposals during the third semester of the study but not later than the beginning of the third semester examinations.
(d) The entire fourth semester will be devoted to the project work.
(e) The students will at the end of the fourth semester be required to submit with approval of their supervisors a duly approved completed research project.
c) Examination of the Project
- The supervisor and an internal examiner will examine the entire project
report. This will account for 70 per cent of the total marks. - The candidate will give a 30-minute seminar to be assessed by two internal
examiners. This will account for 30 percent of the total marks.
Admission Requirements
(i) The common Regulations for the Masters degree in all Faculties shall be applicable.
(ii) The following shall be eligible:
(a) holders of a Bachelor's degree of the University of Nairobi with at least an upper Second Class Honours, or other candidates with equivalent qualifications recognised by senate.
(b) holders of Lower Second Class honours degrees or equivalent and a diploma in population studies or at least 2 years work experience in population-related field.
(c) holders of a pass degree and a post-graduate diploma in population studies with at least three years of work experience in a population related field.
(d) holders of a pass degree with a distinction pass in post-graduate certificate in population and at least five years of work experience in population related field.
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.
Application Information
Applications for admission are open throughout the year through the online platform. The requirements for submitting your application are detailed in the link provided https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/
Careers
Career prospects
Our graduates apply their skills and competencies in a wide range of public and private sectors, both nationally and globally. They have been employed in government ministries, departments and agencies; local and international organizations; civil society organizations; and community and non-governmental organizations
The program will produce experts in the following;
Hydrologists
Urban planners and practitioners
GIS and remote sensing experts
Land and Water resource management experts
Food security experts
Researchers
Attachment Opportunities
Attachment opportunities are available at government institutions such as Kenya water Institute, Ministry of water and Environment, Ministry of Lands housing and Urban Development, County Governments among others. At international level attachments are available at UNEP Kenya, Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development(RCMRD), NGOs dealing with environment and conservation
Notable Alumni
1.Grace Githiri Associate Programme Management Officer Policy, Legislation and Governance section UN-Habitat
2. Prof. Johnstone Kitheka, Associate professor of Hydrology, SEKU School of Environment, Water and natural resources
3.Michael Otieno, Senior consultant in Energy sector
Fees and Funding
|
ITEM |
YEAR 1 |
YEAR 2 |
|||
|
Semester 1 (5 Units) |
Semester 2 (5 Units) |
Semester 3 (5 Units) |
Semester 4 (5 Units) |
TOTAL |
|
|
Tuition (@31,200/= per unit) |
156,000/= |
156,000/= |
156,000/= |
156,000/= |
624,000/= |
|
Examination (@1,000/= per unit) |
5,000/= |
5,000/= |
5,000/= |
5,000/= |
20,000/= |
|
Medical Fee (per year) |
6,500/= |
6,500/= |
13,000/= |
||
|
ICT Services (per year) |
7,000/= |
7,000/= |
14,000/= |
||
|
Caution (Once) |
5,000/= |
5,000/= |
|||
|
Library (per year) |
5,000/- |
5,000/= |
10,000/= |
||
|
Activity (per year) |
2,000/- |
2,000/= |
4,000/= |
||
|
Registration (@2,250/= per semester) |
2,250/= |
2,250/= |
2,250/= |
2,250/= |
9,000/= |
|
ID Card (per year) |
1,000/= |
1,000/= |
2,000/= |
||
|
Student Organisation (per year) |
1,000/= |
1,000/= |
2,000/= |
||
|
Project/Thesis Examination |
30,000/= |
30,000/= |
|||
|
TOTAL |
190,750/= |
163,250/= |
185,750/= |
193,250/= |
733,000/= |