Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management (BSc. ESM) degree program is an exceptional Undergraduate program developed in the Department of Environment and Natural Resource Management (DENM), Faculty of Agriculture and Environment (FAE), Gulu University. The DENM is one of the six (6) departments in the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment of Gulu University. The Department was founded in response to the growing need of natural resources and environment managers to provide solutions to the challenges of environmental degradation and sustainable development.
The major environmental problems in the country, like elsewhere in the Afro-tropics include amongst others; climate change, forest & wetland encroachment, forest & wetland degradation, deforestation, wetland destruction, poor waste management, water and air pollution, and loss of biodiversity. These problems are expected to escalate with Uganda’s worrying population growth rate of 3.5%, cited as one of the highest in the world.
In response to the country’s deteriorating environment, the government established the National Environment Policy for Uganda 1994, which mandates higher institutions of learning to provide comprehensive training in environmental management. Such training should cover areas not handled by the traditional biophysical science subjects. These include, amongst others; Environmental Resource Economics, Environmental Planning, Environmental Law and Policy, Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Information Systems, Environmental Engineering, Land Use Planning and Plantation Silviculture. By starting this course, Gulu University is fulfilling its mandate as provided for in that policy.
Programme Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Programme, the graduate should be able to:
1. Work with communities to manage environmental projects
2. Carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment
3. Undertake research on environmental issues to inform policy.
Overview
| Code | GEM |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Study time | Weekday |
| Intake | August |
Entry Requirements
Principal passes in any two of the following: Chemistry, Biology, Agriculture, Foods and Nutrition, Physics and Mathematics obtained at the same sitting.
Direct Entry
Candidates through this avenue must have:
Obtained a principal pass in any two of the following; Chemistry, Biology, or Geography at Advanced Level obtained at the same sitting.
The Advanced level subjects shall be weighted according to whether they are Essential, Relevant or Desirable. For purposes of computing entry points, the Advanced level subjects shall be weighted and grouped as below:-
| Essential | 3.0 | Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Physics |
| Relevant | 2.0 | Mathematics, Agriculture, Food & Nutrition, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Physics |
| Desirable | 1.0 | General Paper & Sub-mathematics or Sub-Computer |
Mature Age Entry Scheme
Admission may be granted under the mature age entry scheme after passing the appropriate Mature Age Entry Examination.
Diploma Entry Scheme
Admission may be granted if a candidate possesses a Diploma or its equivalent of at least a Second Class standing or equivalent in forestry, agriculture, animal husbandry, crop husbandry, veterinary, beekeeping, Foods & Nutrition, Environmental Health, fisheries or other related disciplines, from recognized institutions.
Fees Structure
| Tuition Fees per Semester (East African) | Tuition Fees per Semester (Non East Africans) |
|---|---|
| 1,050,000 | 2,625,000 |
Programme Structure
- LH Lecture Hours
- CH Contact Hours
- TH Tutorial Hours
- CU Credit Units
A programme is a set of prescribed courses (core, elective, pre-requisite) and skills training which are offered for the award of Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science & Natural Resources Management Degree.
Programme duration
The degree programme shall normally extend over a period of three years. Each year consists of two semesters of 17 weeks each, comprising fifteen (15) weeks of classes and two weeks (2) of examinations. There shall be one recess terms of 10 weeks for each of the first two years.
Load
a) Semester load shall be the total number of credit units for courses offered in a particular academic programme in a semester.
b) The maximum semester load shall be 21 credit units. Courses to be retaken shall not be part of the maximum semester load.
Graduation requirement
To qualify for the award of a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science & Natural Resources Management, a candidate is required to obtain a total of 146 Cumulative Credit Units, obtain a CGPA of not less than 2.0, pass all the prescribed practical skills training, conduct and present satisfactory field attachment, enterprise development and special project reports.
A candidate, who has covered 75% of the prescribed requirements and cannot complete the programme for reasons approved by senate, may be offered an Aegrotat Degree of Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science & Natural Resources Management of Gulu University.
Assessment and Grading
Course work assessment
Each course is assessed in two parts:
a) Continuous assessment
Continuous assessment examines practical work, take home assignments, tests or quizzes. It contributes 40% of the total.
b) End of Semester Examinations
Final examination of a course contributes 60% of the total.
Recess term course assessment
Recess term courses include practical skills training, field attachment, agri-business development, and special project.
i) Practical Skills: assessment shall be by viva voce and practical examination. The composition will be 60% for viva voce and 40% for written practical examination
ii) Special Project: the report shall be marked out of 100% and 50% shall be the pass mark.
iii) Agribusiness skills development: Business plan shall be marked out of 50% while participation in implementation of selected business plan shall take 50%. The pass mark shall be 50%.
iv) Field attachment: students’ performance shall be assessed according to the field supervisors’ reports and written reports submitted by students. These shall, respectively, account for 40% and 60% of the final marks and a total mark of 50% shall be the pass mark.