Bachelor in Environmental Resource Conservation

Philosophy of the Programme

To promote a people-based approach to addressing environmental challenges

Rationale of the Programme

It has increasingly become evident that unsustainable use of environmental resources is causing a massive and, in many cases, irrevocable environmental degradation worldwide. This phenomenon is mainly accounted for by high demand for environmental resources without due regard for their sustainable use. In view of this, an understanding of the interaction between human population and these resources can certainly set the stage for the environmental resource conservation. Knowledge on environmental resources conservation can assist stakeholders to scan the relevant environment for opportunities and threats, formulate strategic responses, and adjust the systems appropriately. There is therefore an urgent need to produce well-rounded experts who can be responsive to the current emerging challenges in environmental resources management. The Programme on Environmental Resource Conservation is therefore designed to train students who will be at the cutting edge of knowledge to address these environmental resource issues.

Goal of the Programme

The goal of the programme of Environment Resource Management is to equip students with intellectual and scientific knowledge and analytical skills to be able not only to understand fully the challenges of environmental resource conservation but also to offer solutions in order to have sustainable environmental/natural resource management.

Expected Learning Outcomes of the programme

By the end of the programme it is expected that the graduate will be able to:

Utilise the knowledge and skills acquired to manage environmental resources and analyse relevant policies

Utilise methods of environmental information and monitoring that are essential in addressing current and future environmental resources management challenges and opportunities

Understand their roles as facilitators within the communities in environmental resources management

Have developed skills and attitudes required to participate in environmental decision making for sustainability

Advance research and development in various aspects of environmental resource conservation

Mode of Delivery of the Programme

The mode of delivery includes face to face, open learning, and distance learning.

Academic Regulations for the Proposed Programme

Admission Requirements for the Proposed Programme

In addition to satisfying the University entry requirements, for admission into the Bachelor in Environmental Resource Conservation degree programme, candidates must have attained at least C+ (Plus) or its equivalent in KCSE and at least C (Plain) in any three of the following: Mathematics, Geography, Biology or Biological Sciences, Physics or Physical Sciences or Chemistry, and Agriculture. 

To gain admission into the Programme diploma holders: -

Must have passed KCSE or its equivalent with a minimum of C (Plain) mean grade or Division 3.

Must have successfully completed an ordinary diploma course in environmental related disciplines from recognised colleges and attained a minimum Credit grade.

Mean grade of C- (Minus) at KCSE and progressed from certificate to Diploma from a recognized/accredited institution

Regulations on Credit Transfer in a programme

a)      Credit Accumulation

As a candidate successfully complete semester units for the Bachelor in Environmental Resource Conservation course he/she will accumulate credit. This is a formal acknowledgement of the achievement at certain levels of credit that are required to complete the award for the degree of Bachelor in Environmental Resource Conservation.

b)     Credit Transfer

Candidates for the Bachelor in Environmental Resource Conservation must satisfy the minimum university requirements and School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences regulations. For those with Diploma in related field, credit waiver will be given for specific units as determined and recommended by the departmental undergraduate board.

Course Requirements

a) To qualify for the award of the degree, a student will be required to:

Attend 70% of the classes in all the courses offered

To complete an internship of three (3) months. The student will be supervised on a day to day basis by an institutional supervisor. A university supervisor will supervise the student twice during the practicum period

To undertake a research project with the guidance of a university supervisor within a period of one academic year.

Student Assessment Policy/Criteria

The Common University Regulations on Examinations shall apply. Students will be assessed through Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs) and a written examination in each course unit. Each course unit will be marked out of 100%. Continuous Assessment Tests, practicals, term papers will contribute 30%, and the final written examination 70%, except for Field Internship Course. For the field internship, the course will involve supervision by the external (field) supervisor as per the report template; supervision by the internal (university) supervisor as per the report template and submission of the completed field internship report. The research projects will be guided by an appointed lecturer for the entire group but also on an individual basis, each student will be supervised and mentored by one internal supervisor.

Grading System

The Common University Regulations on Examination grading shall apply where:

                           A – 70-100%

                           B – 60-69%

                           C – 50-59%

                           D – 40-49%

                           E – 0-39%

The pass mark for each course unit shall be 40%

Graduation Requirements

For a student to graduate they will be required to pass (with 40% and above) in all the fifty-four (54) units offered in the four years.

A student who intends to graduate should apply to the Registrar (Academic)

A student may be allowed to graduate with one failed required (elective) unit without doing retake provided the student requests for approval formally by writing to the Registrar (Academic) through the Chairman of Department and the Dean of the School

Classification of Degrees

The final classification of the degree will be based on all the required units (core and electives) taken during the degree programme. The total number of units required for degree classification will be fifty-four (54)

The total score will be based on cumulative score average to arrive at the following final classification:

70-100%                      First Class Honours

60-69%                        Second Class Honours (Upper Division)

50-59%                        Second Class (Lower Division)

40-49%                        Pass

0-39%                          Fail

Courses /Units Offered for the Programme

All the students registered in this Programme will take 10 programme core units in the Level 100, and all 13 core units in the Level 200. Students will take 12 core units and 2 elective in Levels 300 and all 12 core units and 2 electives in level 400. In addition, students will take a total of 3 University Common Units (UCU) in Level 100.

Students will take a total of 54 units to graduate in the degree of Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Resource Conservation). The units will comprise 13 units in Level 100 and level 200 and 14 units in level 300 and level 400. The courses/units offered are presented in Table 1.

Table 1: Courses /Units Offered for the Programme

Total credit hours, lecture hours, contact hours and course units required for graduation

The student will be expected to complete a total of fifty-four (54) units to graduate. These will comprise:

Level 100: Three (3) University core units, seven (7) Programme Core units and 3 core units from sister Programmes/Departments

Level 200: Eleven (11) Programme Core units and two (2) Core units from sister Programmes/Departments

Level 300: Eleven (12) Programme Core units; two (2) Elective units

Level 400: Eleven (12) Programme Core units and two (2) Elective units

Duration and Structure of the Programme

The Bachelor of Environmental Resource Conservation degree programme is by coursework and examination. The programme will take four years and to graduate in the programme the Student is expected to pass at least 54 units. Each course unit shall have a minimum of Thirty-Five (35) contact hours and shall be covered within one semester. In the fourth year, the student will be expected to carry out field research and ultimately submit a research project report for examination.