M. Sc. in Biodiversity and Environmental Management - Tribhuvan University

M. Sc. in Biodiversity and Environmental Management (BEM) program is running at Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University from 2008.

The objective of M.Sc Biodiversity and Environmental Management course is to provide opportunities to students from Nepal, India and China, to make them competent to undertake independent research on biodiversity and environmental issues, for pursing Ph. D. degree.

The degree introduces student a four semesters (to be completed in two years) dynamic combination of new courses research, training, lectures and field research undertaken by expert from T. U., Government and non-governmental organizations in Nepal as well as international experts including University of Bergen and the region (China and India), and thesis writing for up scaling academic competency and professional career.

The programme is supported by the Norwegian center for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU) Under the Norad's Programme for Master Studies (NOMA). The degree will be awarded by Tribhuvan University, Nepal after completing 120 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).

M.Sc in BEM program is designed to ensure long-term sustainability of biodiversity conservation and environment management by: (a) linking the course contents with national, regional and global priority and management perspectives, (b) designing of Himalayan resource mobilization strategies including sustainable use from livelihood options, and (c) training of students in leadership and management skills.

The objectives of the M.Sc. in Biodiversity and Environmental Management are to:

• Develop candidates with the ability to understand conservation and development theory, and develop an advanced knowledge of biodiversity, development policy and management.
• Provide philosophical foundation for advance research and training to undertake interdisciplinary research, analyze data and communicate effectively in an international context
• Provide an advanced critical understanding of the legislative statutory policy and
• political context in which biological resource management and development operates.
• Develop candidates with the ability to synthesize and mediate issues relating to biodiversity and environmental changes at local, regional and global scales
• Develop candidates with the ability to achieve a critical understanding of the science underpinning environment and biodiversity issues in the context of development

1. Students must attend and pass the entrance examination.
2. Pass mark for the entrance examination is 35%.
3. Students will be enrolled on the basis of merit. Merit list is published on the basis of both marks obtained in Bachelor level and entrance examination.
   Merit list: = 20% (marks obtained in B.Sc) + 80 % (marks secured in entrance examination)

In Central department and constituent campuses of Tribhuvan University; out of total available seats 80% seats will be filled from free competition and 20% from reserved (inclusive) category.

Students who want to compete from proportional representation category must fulfilled following criteria.

• Passed SLC from community schools
• Students who are permanent resident of backward region must have passed SLC from the same region
• Students must have passed Bachelor level from constitutent campus of Tribhuvan University or Community campuses.

Documents needed:

If any seats remain vacant in the inclusive/reserved category; remaining seats will be fulfilled from the merit list of free competition.

Faculties and experts

Central Department of Botany has trained faculties with international exposures. Experts from outside the department, including those from government and non-government organizations within Nepal and experts from regional collaborating institutions will also be invited as regular faculty or to deliver guest lectures.

Student intake

Fifteen students are admitted annually, including marginalized groups and females. The prospective students will include those who have passed three years B.Sc. in natural sciences: botany, zoology, environmental science, forestry and agriculture.

Examination

There will be internal assessments (including evaluation of seminar presentation, term papers, etc) and a final university examination at the end of the first three semesters. In the last semester, students will be examined by evaluating their thesis proposal, interim field reports and final thesis. There will be an oral presentation of student thesis.

Candidates holding a two to three years Bachelors degree plus M. Sc. Degree or four years Bachelors degree in Biological Science (Botany or Zoology or Microbiology or Genetic Engineering or Environmental Science or Forestry ) from an accredited university are eligible to apply.

M.Sc. in Biodiversity and Environmental Management course is taught in four semesters with a total 63 credits. There will be theory lectures, lab work, field work, term-paper and seminar presentation, and dissertation. The distribution of credits is as follows:

Theory lectures: 41 credits

Practical work, pilot field project and term paper presentation: 12 credits

Dissertation: 10 credits

The theory lectures cover both the core and optional courses of 2-3 credits. In the first semester only the fundamental core courses are offered. The second and third semesters comprise core and optional courses of specialized in nature and many of which have practical implications. The fourth semester mainly comprises dissertation work. It also covers fundamental aspects of research design and methods of analyzing biological data. Students will start conceptualizing their dissertation work right at the beginning of third semester and will complete at the end of fourth semester.