M.Sc. / Post Graduate Diploma in Forestry and Environmental Management
Candidates must fulfil one of the following criteria to be eligible to follow the course.
Sc Degree in Forestry or Environmental Science, Biological Science or Physical Science, Environmental Science, Geography or Geology, Agriculture, Civil or Chemical Engineering.
Four year degree in Management, Social Science, Economics, with at least 5 years’ experience in the field of Natural Resources and Environmental Management.
Any other special qualification equivalent to a degree recognized by the University Grant Commission or considered appropriate by the University Senate, with at least 7 years of experience in the field of Natural Resources and Environmental Management.
Objectives
The objective of M.Sc. program in Forestry and Environmental Management is to produce professionals with outstanding scientific knowledge, transferrable skills in the field and practical scenarios, technical skills and strong stewardship and ethics needed to sustainably manage forests and natural resources. In addition to these key objectives, the program also focuses on equipping the graduates with sound methodological and interdisciplinary competences to meet the future demands in the field of forestry and environmental science.
Intended Learning Outcomes
The course has been designed to produce skilled professionals by providing hands on experience through a combination of classroom-based activities, field excursions, laboratory sessions, individual and group works, assignments and a series of seminars presentations. After the successful completion of this course, students will be able to,
- Perform forest and biodiversity conservation assessments to understand the structure, function and to predict future changes of ecosystems.
- Manage forest resource for commercial aspects in sustainable manner.
- Manage to protect and restore watersheds from damages caused by deforestation, erosion, floods, sediment and sand and gem mining.
- Plan to conserve riverine and coastal ecosystems, land resources and solve related problems on watershed basis.
- Conduct satellite image analysis and GIS based mapping to assess and interpret complex environmental problems.
- Communicate the impacts of various projects on bio-geophysical environment through Environmental Impact Assessment and provide alternatives to minimize the impacts.
- Undertake assessments and identify legal, social, economic, and technological measures, which help in managing the environmental pollution through sustainable solid waste management, wastewater treatment and air pollution control.
- Explain the concepts and the key elements of industrial ecology, material and energy flow analysis, cleaner production and application of green technologies to maintain the sustainability of industrial processes.
- Conduct cost benefit analysis and economic valuation for the management of forests and natural resources.
- Identify local and international tools, frameworks, policies and conventions on mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
- Formulate, implement, test and analyse environmental models to describe complex environmental systems and to provide solutions through a systematic assessment, for the prevailing environmental issues.
Careers and Employability
M.Sc. Graduates in Forestry and Environmental Management secure employment in relevant public and private sector organisations, NGOs and academic institutions. Some of the common career avenues are; positions in the United Nations agencies such as UNEP, UNESCO, UNFCC and other environment related secretariats and agencies, sustainability sector in multinational and international enterprises, forestry and environment related units in State Ministries, Central Environmental Authority, Urban Development Authority and other related institutions/ organizations etc.. The M.Sc. program is also train the students who wish to continue higher studies by post-graduate research, in the fields of ecology, forestry, environmental sciences and natural resource management.