BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Admission Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation and Natural Resource Management
a) Candidates must have obtained the minimum University and School admission requirements.
b) The following shall be eligible for registration for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation and Natural Resource in the Department of Biological sciences:
i) An aggregate of C+ grade which is the minimum University of Embu admission requirement and must have obtained at Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) the following grades:
Biological Sciences C+
Chemistry C (Plain)
Mathematics C
English/Kiswahili /Geography C
OR
ii) Two principal passes in Biology and one subsidiary pass in Mathematics, Physics or Geography, OR
iii) An aggregate of C (plain) at KCSE and a Diploma (or Higher National Diploma) in Biology and related sciences with at least a Credit Pass.
c) Any other qualification equivalent to the above subject to Senate’s approval.
Duration of Study
Four (4) academic years
Expected learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program students will be able to:
(a) Describe the focus of environmental conservation and natural resource management.
(b) Explain the main principles of sustainable utilization of natural resources.
(c) Describe the ecological and environmental issues affecting natural resources.
(d) Show proficiency in environmental research and data analysis.
Career prospects
Graduate of the programme can pursue careers in conservation, natural resources and environmental management.
Course requirements.
i. A learner is required to attend at least two thirds of the total number of lectures in a unit in order to be allowed to sit for the end of semester examination in a given unit of the programme.
ii. The lecturer shall ensure the programme course(s) are delivered in a manner that learning takes place and in line with the University requirements for teaching, assessment and evaluation of a unit.
iii. Any student who fails to attain the pass mark in:
a) Less than 40% of the units taken in an academic year shall be required to retake the failed units when next offered.
b) Between 40% and 75% of the units taken in an academic year shall be required to repeat the year.
c) More than 75% of the units taken in an academic year shall be discontinued.
iv. A student who fails to attain a pass mark in a retake examination, shall on recommendation of the school board and approval by Senate be allowed to retake the failed unit only once. Grading of retake Examinations shall be similar to that of ordinary Examinations as specified in respective programmes.
v. A student will not be allowed to proceed to the subsequent year of study without clearing retakes in the previous year. For instance, a second year student with retakes in the first year will not be allowed to proceed to the third year of study.
vi. A student who fails after the second retake will be required to repeat the year and shall not be allowed to register for the next year of study until they have passed in all the pending retake units.
vii. A student shall be allowed to repeat a year of study ONLY ONCE.
viii. A repeating student in any academic year who fails to attain the pass mark in any of the failed courses shall on recommendation of the School Board and approval by Senate, be discontinued from the degree programme.
ix. The lecturer is obliged to interpret and implement the curriculum and check student class attendance.
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation and Natural Resource Management Courses/Unit Distribution Table
First Year: Three common/ University Courses/Units
|
S/No |
Unit code |
Course Title |
Theory Hours |
Practical Hours |
Status |
|
1 |
CCS 001 |
Communication Skills |
45 |
0 |
Senate approved |
|
2 |
CCS 010 |
HIV and AIDS |
45 |
0 |
Senate approved |
|
3 |
CCS 009 |
Elements of Economics |
45 |
0 |
Senate approved |
First Year: 12 Courses/Unit
|
S/No |
Unit code |
Course Title |
Theory Hours |
Practical Hours |
Status |
|
4 |
SBT 101 |
Plant Diversity |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
5 |
SBT 102 |
Introductory Biochemistry |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
6 |
SCH 102 |
Organic Chemistry 1 |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
7 |
SCH 103 |
Physical Chemistry 1 |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
8 |
SGP 111 |
The Natural Environment |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
9 |
SGP 114 |
Fundamentals of Natural Resources Management |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
10 |
SZL 101 |
Invertebrate Zoology |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
11 |
SZL 102 |
Vertebrate Zoology |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
12 |
SZL 103 |
Fundamentals of Ecology |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
13 |
SBE 101 |
Introduction to Environmental Science |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
14 |
SCH 101 |
Inorganic Chemistry |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
15 |
SBC 106 |
Information Technology |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
Second Year: 14 Courses/Units
|
S/No |
Unit code |
Course Title |
Theory Hours |
Practical Hours |
Status |
|
1 |
SBE 201 |
Principles of Microbiology |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
2 |
SBE 202 |
Introduction to Climatology |
30 |
15 |
|
|
3 |
SBE 203 |
Ecological Laboratory Techniques |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
4 |
SBT 201 |
Gymnosperm & Angiosperm Taxonomy |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
5 |
SBT 203 |
Plant Ecology |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
6 |
SBT 204 |
Plant Structure and Function |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
7 |
SBT 207 |
Principles of Plant Pathology |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
8 |
SBT 208 |
Plant - Microbe Interactions |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
9 |
SGP 215 |
Environment & Development in Africa |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
10 |
SGP 220 |
Sociology and Development |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
11 |
SGP 233 |
Principles of Landscape Ecology |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
12 |
SGP 234 |
Principles of Resources Development and Conservation |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
13 |
SZE 203 |
Animal Ecology and Animal Behaviour |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
14 |
SZL 203 |
Fundamentals of Aquatic Ecology |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
Third Year: 12 Courses/Units + Field training/ attachment
|
S/No |
Unit code |
Course Title |
Theory Hours |
Practical Hours |
Status |
|
1 |
SBE 301 |
Vegetation Inventory and Analysis |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
2 |
SBE 302 |
East African Rangelands and Management |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
3 |
SBE 303 |
Soil Science for Conservation Biology |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
4 |
SBE 304 |
Population Ecology |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
5 |
SBE 305 |
Community Ecology |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
6 |
SGP 328 |
Integrated Water Resources Management |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
7 |
SGP 334 |
Principles of Environmental Planning |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
8 |
SZE 301 |
Principles and Practices of Biological Conservation |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
9 |
SZE 302 |
Environmental Health and Ecotoxicology |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
10 |
SZE 303 |
Modeling of Biological Systems |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
11 |
SZE 304 |
Research Methodology |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
12 |
SZL 303 |
Biostatistics |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
Mandatory non-examinable field course
|
S/No |
Unit code |
Course Title |
Theory Hours |
Practical Hours |
Status |
|
13 |
SBT 329 |
Field Training / Attachment / Internship |
180 |
0 |
Senate approved |
Fourth Year: 10 Courses/Units + two elective courses
|
S/No |
Unit code |
Course Title |
Theory Hours |
Practical Hours |
Status |
|
1 |
SBE 401 |
Agroecosystems and Agroecology |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
2 |
SBT 413 |
Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
3 |
SGP 421 |
Environmental Pollution |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
4 |
SGP 424 |
GIS and RS Applications In Environmental Management |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
5 |
SGP 431 |
Ecotourism and Environmental Management |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
6 |
SZE 401 |
Environmental Impact Assessment and Monitoring |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
7 |
SZE 402 |
Environmental Law and Policy |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
8 |
SZE 404 |
Environmental Auditing & Economics |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
9 |
SZE 405 |
Ecosystem Approach to Natural Resource Management |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
10 |
SZE 406 |
Wildlife Management and Fisheries |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
Fourth Year: Elective courses
|
S/No |
Unit code |
Course Title |
Theory Hours |
Practical Hours |
Status |
|
11 |
SBE 403 |
Field Research Project (Equivalent to Two Units) |
|
90 |
Senate approved |
|
12 |
SBE 402 |
Hydrology & Watershed Management |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
13 |
SBE 404 |
Forestry Resources and Community Management |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
14 |
SGP 435 |
Transboundary Natural Resources Management (TBNRM) |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
|
15 |
SZE 403 |
Conservation in International Trade and Development |
30 |
15 |
Senate approved |
Requirements for graduation
a) The curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation and Natural Resource Management shall take a minimum of four academic years consisting of two semesters each.
b) In each year a candidate is required to take all the thirteen (13) course units or equivalent offered.
c) Candidates are expected to attend the courses registered for in entirety to the satisfaction of the Department and School Board of Examiners.
Award of Degree
a) The degree award and classification shall be based on the average score of all units taken in programme.
b) The degree award shall be Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation and Natural Resource Management.
Classification of Degrees
A candidate who qualifies for Award of the Degree in Biology shall be placed in one of the classes as follows:
i. First Class Honours 70% - 100%
ii. Second Class Honours (Upper Division) 60% - 69%
iii. Second Class Honours (Lower Division) 50% - 59%
iv. Pass 40% - 49%