Preamble

Profound anthropogenic changes are occurring in the land, water and air around us and education need to respond to these changes. Mankind is also challenged and urgently needs to co-operate to bring forward sustainable solutions to the threats of the pollution of water, soil, and atmosphere, the degradation of land, the exhaustion of non-renewable resources and the loss of biological diversity. This degree programme is designed to emphasise on problem areas in conservation and management of the environment. It emphasises on solving problems concerning human use, control and management of the environment so that students can be knowledgeable on policy initiatives and issues pertaining to environmental management.

Programme Aim

The aim of this degree programme in Environmental Management is to equip students with problem-solving skills in areas of conservation and management of the environment. The role of management in this curriculum emphasises on solving problems concerning human use, control and management of the environment so that students can be knowledgeable on policy initiatives and issues pertaining to environmental protection. Graduates from this programme will be equipped with skills to solve environmental problems and the ability to set up environmental management-related companies which emphasise on environmentally sustainable manufacturing resulting from efficient utilisation of raw materials, less waste generation and use of renewable energy sources. The programme also aims to train innovative graduates who will innovate and set up industries which produce: products from waste; bio-based fertilisers, fuels and pesticides among other products.

Programme Objectives

This programme seeks to equip students with skills to:

• Determine the interaction between atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere
• Carry out scientific and technical research on environmental issues using biological chemical and geospatial knowledge.
• Analyze and assess environmental problems
• Evaluate policies and interpret regulations
• Solve complex environmental problems

Admission Entry Requirements

For admission one should have the following qualifications. For all entry pathways candidates must have at least:

• Five Ordinary Level subjects/ National Foundation Certificates including English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject at grade C or better.
• Normal Entry: A minimum of any 2 A’ Level passes.
• Special Entry: Special entry may be granted to applicants with a Diploma in Environmental Management or any related field from a recognised institution.
• Mature Entry: Should be at least 23 years old AND should have at least 2 years relevant industrial experience.

Duration Of Programme

• The Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Environmental Management shall extend over a period of 4 years on fulltime, block release or weekend classes.
• The academic calendar year shall be arranged in two semesters and may commence in either semester.

Assessment Of Students

• There shall be a set of formal examinations at the end of each semester.
• Coursework shall account for 40% while the formal examination shall account for 60% of the overall assessment.
• Courses for each semester shall be assessed through a 3-hour written examination and continuous assessments.
• Students should attain a minimum of 50% of the course work to be able to sit for the final examination.
• The examiners may, at their discretion, require candidates to present themselves for an oral examination.

Career Opportunities

Graduates can be employed in the private and public sectors in areas such as natural resources management, pollution prevention and control, air and water quality monitoring and management, environmental consultancy for engineering, geography, biology, ecology, political science, sociology, chemistry, hydrology, land use and planning, mining. In addition, students will be equipped with entrepreneurial skill, occupational health and safety, sanitation and disaster management skills.

• Environmental consultant
• Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE)Officer/Manager
• Environmental manager
• Nature conservation officer
• Sustainability consultant
• Waste management officer
• Hydrologist
• Environmental microbiologist
• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Manager
• Water Quality Scientist
• Environmental Toxicologist

Additional Information

• Each student shall proceed to attachment/work related learning during the third year of the degree programme.
• A student already stationed at work stations shall, upon recommendation from the Faculty Board and Approval of Senate apply to concurrently do attachment/work related learning and take Part four courses during the third year.
  • Each student must be assessed twice during the attachment/work related learning period by members of the Faculty.
  • At the end of the attachment/work related learning period, each student is expected to submit an Industrial Attachment, a log book, the academic assessors’ report and the station supervisor’s report.
  • The Research Project shall be undertaken during the final semester of the programme after registration and approval of the proposal. The Faculty shall approve at least one academic member of staff to supervise the student’s dissertation.
  • The written dissertation shall account for 80% and presentations shall constitute 20% of the final mark of the Research Project.
  • The Research Project shall be assessed by two examiners.