Environmental Science

Bachelor of Environmental Science (Resource Conservation)

The Bachelor of Environmental Science (Resource Conservation) is a four-year programme that prepares students for environmental management and natural resource conservation. Students study environmental science, ecology, conservation biology, natural resource management and environmental policy. The programme focuses on sustainable resource use and conservation strategies.

Students develop competencies in environmental assessment, resource management, conservation planning, ecological monitoring, environmental impact assessment and sustainability practices. They learn to assess environmental impacts, develop conservation plans, manage natural resources and implement sustainability programmes. The programme covers ecology, environmental chemistry, conservation biology, resource economics and environmental law.

In Kenya, environmental conservation is critical due to challenges of deforestation, biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution. Kenya's commitment to environmental protection through NEMA and KWS creates demand. The Constitution of Kenya 2010 emphasises environmental rights. Graduates find roles in NEMA, KWS, KFS, NGOs, consulting firms and county governments.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, fieldwork, laboratory sessions, environmental assessments, industrial attachment and research projects. Students conduct environmental surveys, analyse samples, assess impacts and develop conservation plans. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as environmental scientists, conservation officers, environmental impact assessors, resource managers and sustainability officers. Some work for NEMA, KWS or KFS. Others join environmental NGOs, consulting firms or county governments.

This programme is ideal for individuals with passion for the environment, scientific aptitude and interest in conservation and sustainability.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 324,000
Private, up to: Ksh 184,150
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: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Environmental Science and Ecology
Conservation Biology and Biodiversity
Natural Resource Management
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Chemistry and Pollution
Climate Change and Adaptation
Environmental Law and Policy
Geographic Information Systems for Environment
Waste Management and Pollution Control
Research Methods and Environmental Statistics

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Environmental Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of environmental science, ecosystems and human-environment interactions
Ecology and Biodiversity
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Ecosystem ecology, population dynamics, biodiversity and conservation principles
Environmental Chemistry
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Environmental Chemistry: Chemical processes in the environment, pollution and environmental chemistry Covers theoretical principles, laboratory techniques, and industrial applications.
Conservation Biology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Biodiversity conservation, threatened species, habitat management and conservation strategies
Natural Resource Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Natural Resource Management: Management of water, forests, wildlife, minerals and other natural resources Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Environmental Impact Assessment: EIA principles, methodologies, legislation and impact assessment processes Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Climate Change and Adaptation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Climate Change and Adaptation: Climate science, impacts, mitigation and adaptation strategies Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Environmental Law and Policy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Environmental legislation, international conventions and environmental governance
Waste Management and Pollution Control
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Waste management systems, pollution control technologies and environmental quality
GIS for Environmental Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
GIS for Environmental Management: GIS applications in environmental analysis, mapping and resource management Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Resource Economics
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Economic valuation of natural resources, cost-benefit analysis and sustainable economics
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final Year Research Project: Independent research on environmental science or resource conservation Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.

Specialisations

Biodiversity Conservation
Specialization in Biodiversity Conservation, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Waste Management
Specialization in Waste Management, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Climate Change Adaptation
Specialization in Climate Change Adaptation, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Water Resource Management
Specialization in Water Resource Management, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Forest Conservation
Specialization in Forest Conservation, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Specialization in Environmental Impact Assessment, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on ecology or environmental science with afternoon laboratory sessions, fieldwork or environmental assessments. Students may conduct field surveys, analyse water or soil samples, use GIS software or develop conservation plans.

The trade offs

In its favour

Relevant to Kenya's environmental challenges and conservation priorities
Diverse career paths in government, NGOs and consulting
Opportunity to contribute to environmental protection
Growing demand for EIA and sustainability professionals

Against it

Fieldwork can be physically demanding
Some positions may require additional certifications
Funding for environmental programmes can be limited
Some roles may require working in 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

Public245k to 324k

245k at Kenyatta University324k at University of Nairobi

Private121k to 184k

121k at Mount Kenya University184k at Kabarak 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

KU 244.8K/yr (ku.ac.ke). UoN 324K/yr (Schedule II). MKU 121.2K/yr, Kabarak 184K/yr.

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some environmental NGOs and conservation organisations offer internship stipends.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Mathematics A/B or any Group II
C+
Biology or Chemistry or Physics
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+
Geography or any Group III
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework20% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Laboratory Practicals and Fieldwork
Coursework20% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Sustainability Officer
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Implements sustainability programmes in organisations
Environmental Impact Assessor
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Conducts environmental impact assessments for development projects
Conservation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages conservation programmes and protected areas
Environmental Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Conducts environmental research and monitoring
Resource Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages natural resources including water, forests and wildlife

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as environmental scientists, conservation officers, environmental impact assessors, resource managers and sustainability officers in NEMA, KWS, KFS, environmental NGOs, consulting firms and county governments.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R
Analytics
Python
Code
Google Earth Engine
Cloud
AutoCAD
Design
ArcGIS
Gis

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Environmental science is just about planting trees
Environmental science covers conservation, pollution control, climate change, policy and resource management.
There are no jobs in environmental science
NEMA, KWS, KFS, NGOs and consulting firms create demand for environmental professionals.
Environmental science is not a real science
Environmental science integrates biology, chemistry, physics and earth science with policy and management.
Conservation is only about wildlife
Conservation includes forests, water, soil, biodiversity and ecosystem services.