Master of Science in Land and Water Management

    Overview
    1. The degree program shall consist of coursework, examinations, and thesis.
    2. Each candidate will be required to take and pass all courses.
    3. Each candidate will be required to undertake a research project leading to an examinable thesis and at least one paper publishable in a peer-reviewed journal. The choice of the thesis research topic shall be made in consultation with the department and the academic supervisor.
    • A candidate shall carry out supervised thesis research, for a minimum period of one academic year, and a maximum of two academic years, culminating in a Master’s thesis

    ​​​​​​Minimum admission requirements

    The common regulations governing Master's Degrees in all faculties of the University of Nairobi shall apply.

    1. Holders of a Bachelor of Science degree with at least an Upper Second-Class Honors in Agriculture, Agroecosystems and Environmental Management, Agricultural Engineering, Range Management, Wildlife Management, Forestry, Environmental Science, Animal Science, Biological and Natural Sciences or equivalent qualification from an institution recognized by the Senate.
    2. Holders of a Bachelor of Science degree with Lower Second-Class Honors in any of the areas specified in (3.1.1) above, but with at least two years’ relevant research work experience evidenced by publications, or a postgraduate diploma in any of the areas listed in (3.1.1) above or an equivalent qualification from an institution recognized by Senate.
    3. Holders of a relevant Bachelor of Science degree with a pass plus a post-graduate diploma in any field related to land and water management may be considered

    Credit transfer and exemptions

    1. A candidate shall be allowed to apply for transfer of credits or may be exempted to a maximum of one-third (⅓) of taught courses provided these are from accredited institutions recognized by the Senate of the University of Nairobi, subject to the following conditions.
    2. A candidate may be exempted from taking some course units and be allowed to transfer credits of the same up to a maximum of one-third (⅓) of the taught units provided that these are from institutions recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate.
    3. A candidate seeking transfer of credit shall send a formal application to the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, justifying and supporting the request. The supporting documents shall include an official transcript indicating courses that may be equivalent and descriptions and syllabi/ outlines of the courses in which the applicant is seeking transfers of credit or an exemption.
    4. Transfer of credits shall be processed only after payment of the prescribed non-refundable fees.

    The programme will produce professionals equipped with knowledge and skills to sustainably manage land, soil, and water resources for the benefit of society in agricultural and natural ecosystems.

     

    MASTER OF SCIENCE IN LAND AND WATER MANAGEMENT - ARL 61      
       Year 1   Year 2   Totals 
    TUITION                    384,000.00                  384,000.00                       768,000.00
    EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)                      10,000.00                                    -                           10,000.00
    ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)                        7,000.00                       7,000.00                         14,000.00
    THESIS EXAMINATION                                     -                      30,000.00                         30,000.00
    REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)                        4,500.00                       4,500.00                           9,000.00
    ID CARD ( PER YEAR)                        1,000.00                       1,000.00                           2,000.00
    CAUTION - (ONCE)                        5,000.00                                    -                             5,000.00
    MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)                        6,500.00                       6,500.00                         13,000.00
    LIBRARY (PER YEAR)                        5,000.00                       5,000.00                         10,000.00
    ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)                        2,000.00                       2,000.00                           4,000.00
    STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)                        1,000.00                       1,000.00  
    Grand totals        426,000.00      441,000.00          865,000.00
     
     
    Philosophy, Rationale

    Philosophy 

    Increasing population pressure has led to migration to the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) in the East African drylands, leading to the introduction of non-sustainable farming practices, infrastructure development, quarrying, and mining leading to massive environmental degradation, characterized by declining soil fertility, widespread land degradation, loss of biomass and biodiversity. Crop and pasture production is low and insufficient to meet the food and livestock demands of the ever-increasing population. Food insecurity, therefore, becomes a major threat to the livelihoods of the resource-poor smallholder subsistence farmers in these areas. Since the area under cultivation has limited possibilities of increasing, there is a need to harness land and water technologies as a solution to meeting the demand for food and surplus for sale by the ever-rapidly increasing population. This will only be achieved through land-use intensification and the development of land and water technological innovations that are simple, effective, and sustainable such as integrated soil fertility, erosion control, water harvesting technologies and management. This curriculum is therefore tailored to equip the learners with the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable management of land and water in other agroecosystems apart from arid and semi-arid lands to reduce pressure on these lands and at the same time mitigate food insecurity. It will also play a role in delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), key among them zero hunger, clean water, sanitation, and energy.

     

     


     

     

     

    Mode of Delivery

    Face-to-face mode
    The programme will adopt a face-to-face mode of delivery based on various techniques that include lectures, seminars, case-based learning and tutorials.

    Open and distance learning mode
    The programme will be offered using a multi-media approach that includes self-instructional print and electronic study materials. The ODeL mode of delivery shall apply to the taught course units, except the Graduate Seminars.

    Blended learning mode
    The blended learning mode of delivery will be through e-Learning that combines minimal face-to-face and online learning approaches. Online lectures will be conducted both synchronously and asynchronously.

    Contacts of support persons

    Prof. George Karuku 

    gmoe@uonbi.ac.ke

    or Contact Chairman, LARMAT at: larmat@uonbi.ac.ke

    Phone: 020 491 6004

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    NOTABLE ALUMNI 

    1. Dr Patrick T. Gicheru-Head, Kenya Soil Survey

      Centre Director, NARL

    2. Prof. Jude J. Odhiambo-Dean Faculty Of Agric

      University of Venda-South Africa

    3. Dr. Esther Wakiuru Gikonyo-Centre Director NARL-KARLO

    4. Dr.Jane Kapkiyai- Chairman, Dept. Soil Science-Kisii University

    5. Simon Bunyasi-Manager Research & production, Delmonte Ltd