Environmental Science

Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Natural Resource Management

The Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Natural Resource Management is a four-year degree programme that combines geographical science with natural resource management and IT skills.

The curriculum covers introduction to geography, map interpretation, physical geography, spatial organisation, earth science systems, climatology, remote sensing, cartography, geomorphology, agricultural geography, forestry and forest management, economics of natural resources, hydrology, population geography, water resources management, biogeography, GIS, environmental conservation, environmental policy, environmental impact assessment, disaster.

Students develop competencies in spatial analysis, GIS and remote sensing, natural resource assessment, environmental impact assessment, field research, data analysis, and IT applications in resource management. The programme integrates IT skills throughout, including database management, multimedia, and information security.

Graduates pursue careers as natural resource managers, GIS analysts, environmental officers, conservation officers, researchers, and consultancy officers. They find employment in government ministries, NEMA, KFS, county governments, NGOs, research institutions, and private consultancies.

The programme is offered at Maseno University and Tom Mboya University. Maseno University charges KSH 224,000 per year (KUCCPS programme code 1229692).

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with C+ in Geography and C in Mathematics, following KUCCPS cluster requirements for geography-related programmes.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 224,400
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Introduction to Geography
Physical Geography
Climatology
Remote Sensing
Cartography
Geomorphology
Natural Resources Management
Geographic Information Systems
Environmental Impact Assessment
Geoinformatics

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Geography
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts and principles of geography, including spatial analysis and human-environment interactions.
Introduction to Environmental Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Environmental Studies: Introduction to environmental systems, issues, and management principles. Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management pra...
Fundamentals of Physical Geography
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of Earth's physical systems including lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
Climatology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of climate systems, weather patterns, and climate change, with emphasis on tropical climates.
Remote Sensing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and applications of satellite and aerial remote sensing for environmental monitoring and resource mapping.
Geomorphology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of landforms and the processes that shape them, including weathering, erosion, and deposition.
Economics of Natural Resources Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Economic principles applied to natural resource management, including resource valuation and sustainability.
Spatial Analysis Using GIS
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Application of GIS technology for spatial data analysis in natural resource management contexts.
Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 36 creditsCore
Practical attachment in an organisation requiring geographical and natural resource management skills.
Environmental Impact Assessment and SEA
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Methods and procedures for environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment of development projects.
Integrated Natural Resources Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Integrated approaches to managing natural resources, balancing ecological, economic, and social objectives.
Geoinformatics Applied to Natural Resources Management
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced application of geoinformatics technologies for natural resource mapping, monitoring, and management.

Specialisations

Physical Geography
Study of natural Earth systems including geomorphology, climatology, hydrology, and biogeography. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Natural Resource Management
Sustainable management of natural resources including water, forests, minerals, wildlife, and land. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
GIS and Geoinformatics
Application of GIS, remote sensing, and geoinformatics for spatial data analysis and resource mapping.
Environmental Management
Environmental conservation, policy, impact assessment, and disaster management. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
IT for Resource Management
Application of information technology, database management, and multimedia for natural resource data management.

A day as a student

A typical day combines geographical science with natural resource management and IT skills. Morning sessions cover physical geography, climatology, or natural resource economics, while afternoons focus on GIS labs, remote sensing practicals, or fieldwork. Students use GIS software, analyse satellite imagery, conduct field surveys, and develop resource management plans. The programme includes field trips to study landforms, environmental issues, and resource management practices across Kenya.

The trade offs

In its favour

IT integration throughout the programme enhances graduates' competitiveness in technology-driven resource management fields.
Comprehensive curriculum covering physical geography, environmental management, and natural resource economics.
Industrial attachment provides practical experience in real organisations.
Maseno University's location near Lake Victoria Basin provides unique field study opportunities.

Against it

Programme is offered at only two universities, limiting institutional choice.
Higher fees compared to plain BA Geography programmes at other universities.
Heavy workload combining geography, natural resources, and IT may be challenging for some students.
Fieldwork can be physically demanding and may require travel to remote areas.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 181 environmental science courses

Public224k to 224k

224k at Maseno University224k at Maseno University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Maseno BSc 224,400/yr (KUCCPS). KU/UoN don't offer this as BA. Private unverified. Src: educationnewshub

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS. HELB loans are available for eligible students. Some environmental organisations offer internship stipends.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
University Internal Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) Training Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Students in geospatial sciences, GIS and remote sensing
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points.
University Internal Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: Credit pass at Ordinary Diploma in Environmental Science or related courses from a recognised institution; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the Maseno University Senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, practical assignments, GIS lab exercises, and field reports during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering geographical theory, natural resource management, and IT applications.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of attachment performance in a natural resource management organisation, including supervisor evaluation and report.
Fieldwork Project
Project100% of the mark
Field-based research project involving data collection, spatial analysis, and a written report.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Natural Resource Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Manages natural resources including water, land, forests, and minerals for government agencies or conservation organisations.
GIS Analyst
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 120,000
Creates and analyses spatial data using GIS software for environmental and resource management applications.
Environmental Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Monitors and manages environmental issues, conducts impact assessments, and ensures regulatory compliance.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 75,000
Conducts geographical and natural resource research for academic institutions, NGOs, or research organisations.
Conservation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 85,000
Works on conservation projects, managing protected areas and biodiversity for government or NGOs.
Environmental Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 150,000
Provides environmental consulting services, including impact assessments and compliance audits, for private firms.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as natural resource managers, GIS analysts, environmental officers, and conservation officers. Demand is moderate with growing opportunities in environmental regulation and sustainable resource management.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ArcGIS
Gis softwarePrimary
Industry-standard GIS software for spatial analysis, mapping, and natural resource data management.
QGIS
Gis softwarePrimary
Open-source GIS software for spatial analysis and environmental mapping.
Google Earth Engine
Remote sensing
Cloud-based platform for satellite imagery analysis and environmental monitoring.
Microsoft Excel
Data analysis
Spreadsheet software for data management and statistical analysis.
SPSS
Statistical analysis
Statistical analysis software for geographical and environmental research data.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Geography and Natural Resource Management is just about studying maps.
The programme involves advanced geospatial technologies, environmental science, resource economics, and IT skills for comprehensive resource management.
The IT component is just basic computer literacy.
The programme includes database management, multimedia systems, information security, and e-commerce alongside GIS and geoinformatics.
Natural resource management graduates can only work for conservation organisations.
Graduates find employment in government, county governments, private consultancies, research institutions, and international organisations.
The programme is less rigorous than pure environmental science.
Students complete full modules in geology, hydrology, biogeography, and environmental impact assessment alongside IT and GIS components.