MSc. Environmental Science, Policy and Management

Concerns for the environment have gained ascendancy in the light of its speed of deterioration and the concomitant adverse effect on the social, health, and economic dimensions of society. All over the world, environmental problems have manifested in the pollution and degradation of natural habitats, and in the disposal of waste generated by human activities. Although science and management techniques to mitigate these environmental problems and the concomitant policy frameworks and legal regimes have evolved to the point where there is increased capacity to deal with the problems, such technical knowledge, policy frameworks and legal regimes are not equally accessible. There is a dearth of such technical, policy ands legal capacity in developing countries leading to a situation of lax environmental standards and destructive social practices. Hitherto, obtaining such capacity could only be gained in developed countries, a situation that glossed over critical local contextual issues. Given the critical role of environmental managers and policy makers in the sustainable management of nature and in the mitigation of human activities that adversely impact the environment, there is the need to build such capacity locally. The Masters programme in Environmental Science, Policy and Management is a two-year post-graduate course designed as a response to these concerns.

The programme is designed to prepare students to identify, develop and implement effective solutions to environmental challenges, with particular emphasis on developing country contexts. The programme aims to generate understanding of the scientific principles underlying environmental changes and stimulate the requisite social, economic, legal and policy capacity for practicing and potential decision-makers in central and local government, as well as corporate businesses, and other non-state organizations.

It offers a comprehensive and multidisciplinary curriculum in environmental studies that challenge students' ability to integrate theory and practice for systematic analysis, holistic understanding, and management of key environmental issues in various social contexts.

Above all the programme would ensure that institutions which who are involved in teaching environmental courses would have enough specialist in the field.

 With these dimensions in view, our syllabus and combination of subjects are devised to produce the technocrats to the service the nation and the general public.

 6.0       Aims and Objectives

The objectives of the programme are to

• Empower students with skills for translating environmental knowledge into policy frameworks and management strategies.
• Strengthen the capacity of students through the development of appropriate research, communication and other professional skills,
• Systematically elaborate a participatory instructional approach by which lecturers and students will interact for effective learning and cross-learning
• Equip students to improve their analytical thinking in the assessment of environmental impacts of human activities
• Develop the students’ professional attitudes, the interpersonal and entrepreneurial skills required by practitioners in the environmental management industry