MSc Mountain Environment and Development Studies

Evaluation and Examiantion System

The evaluation system is based oninternal assessment, practical examand final examination. In order to complete the course of study, students should secure at least 40% in the theory, practical and internal assessment separately. The thesis of the student will be evaluated by the Research Assessment Committee (RAC) in grade basis.

Practical will be based on the field exercise, laboratory analysis and desk work. After the completion of each practical work, student will submit the practical report in the standard format provided. The practical will be evaluated based on student’s attendance, submitted reports and viva. Field excursions (half to one day), field visit (at least one night halt), group work/assignment and presentation, case studies, individual assignments and term paper will be considered as the part of the internal assessment andwill be evaluated by the responsible faculty. The responsible faculty will, in advance, notify the students the criteria of evaluation.

Students must appear in the final written examination scheduled at the end of the semester.Student cannot attend the final examinations without passing the internal assessment. After successful completion of the course, student's performance will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Description Percentile

• Distinction 80% and above
• First Division 65 % to less than 80 %
• Second Division 50 % to less than 65 %
• Pass 40 % to less than 50 %
• Fail Less than 40%

Medium and Methods of Instruction

The medium of instruction will be English in all M.Sc.programs offered by Institute of Forestry. A faculty member or a visiting faculty will coordinate each course in a given semester. The Course Coordinator will have full responsibility for conduction of the particular course. The methods of instruction will comprise of lectures, tutorials, laboratory works, field work, group discussions, group and individual assignments as applicable.

An applicant for admission in M.Sc. Mountain Environment and Development Studies must have a 4-years B.Sc. Forestry or B.Sc. in General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Geology, Meteorology) or B.Sc. Agriculture or B.Sc. Environmental Science or B.Sc. Environmental Management or B.E. (Civil EngineeringorAgriculture Engineering or Environmental Engineering) from Tribhuvan University or any university recognized by Tribhuvan University with a minimum of 50 percent marks in aggregate.

Applicants from foreign countries whohave studied undergraduate courses in English mediumas mentioned for each program will be eligible for admission in these programs. Staff seat will be reserved only for permanent staff of Institute of Forestry who has B.Sc. degree in 5 one of the above subjects as mentioned. Senior staffmember will get priority.All applicants must pass the entrance examination administered by Institute of Forestryto be eligible for admission in these programs.

Required Documents and Credentials

Academic transcript of B.Sc. degree in respective fields. In case an applicant is a graduate of a university other than Tribhuvan University, he/she has to submit a certificate of migration and a certificate of recognition and equivalence of his/her educational qualification from Curriculum Development Centre, TU.

1. Character Certificate
2. Citizenship certificate for Nepalese candidates
3. Three recent passport sized photographs
4. Candidates for the IOF staff seat must submit a no objection certificate from his/her Campus Chief and must be officially nominated by the IOF.
5. Candidates from other countries must have a financial support affidavit.

Entrance Examination

The Institute of Forestry requires all Nepalese applicants to take the admission examination. Entrance examination questions will be objective in nature. The entrance test will comprise questions from general knowledge, forestry and subject specific matters. Full marks for the examination are 300 and an applicant must secure a minimum of 40% (120 marks) marks to pass the test. The final merit list of applicants will be prepared by adding 20% marks of the B.Sc. Degree to 80% of the marks obtained by the candidates in the entrance examination.

The merit list of applicants will be prepared based on their entrance examination scores. Foreign applicants will be selected based on their Bachelor level grades.

In case staff seats and foreign student seats remain vacant, these seats will be added to full fee paying category.

Semester-wise Breakdown of the Course

First Semester

Course Title	Course Code	Credit Hours
Mountain Physical Dimension	WME 717	3
Human and Institutional Dimensions in Mountains	SFM 718	3
Wildlife and Protected Area Management	PWM 703	3
Climate Change: Science, Impact and Adaptation	WME 709	3
Watershed Hydrology	WME 708	3

Second Semester

Course Title	Course Code	Credit Hours
Forest Governance and Community Forestry	SFM 751	3
Ecotourism Planning and Management	PWM 752	3
Natural Resource Economics	SFM 753	3
Mountain Farming and Rural Development	WME 761	3
Statistical Analysis and Data Management	SFM 755	3

Third Semester

Course Title	Course Title	Credit Hours
Forest and Wildlife Product Enterprise Development	FPE 807	3
Watershed Management	WME 805	3
Research Methodology and Scientific Writing	SFM 803	3
Remote Sensing and GIS Application in NRM*	WME 804	3
Project Management*	SFM 808	3
Disaster Risk Management*	WME 809	3
Rangeland Management*	WME 814	3

Fourth Semester

Course Title		Course Title	Credit Hours
Thesis Proposal Seminar		R&T 851	1
Thesis		R&T 852	13
Thesis Defense Seminar		R&T 853	1

Extra Elective

Course Title	Course Title	Credit Hours
Forest Ecology and Management**	SFB 710	3
Agroforestry**	SFB 705	3

*Elective Courses

**Optional Courses