Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation and Management

Introduction to Wildlife Conservation

Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

Overview of wildlife conservation, conservation principles, and wildlife management.

Wildlife Ecology

Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

Wildlife Ecology: Wildlife ecology, wildlife biology, and ecosystem management. Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.

Conservation Biology

Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

Conservation Biology: Conservation biology principles, species conservation, and population biology. Covers cellular processes, organismal biology, and ecological relationships.

Wildlife Management

Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

Wildlife management principles, population management, and conservation strategies.

Biodiversity Conservation

Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

Biodiversity Conservation: Biodiversity assessment, conservation strategies, and biodiversity management. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

Protected Area Management

Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

Protected Area Management: Protected area management, park planning, and conservation area design. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.

Wildlife Policy and Law

Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

Wildlife Policy and Law: Wildlife policy, legal frameworks, and regulatory compliance. Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.

Wildlife Monitoring

Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

Wildlife Monitoring: Wildlife monitoring techniques, population assessment, and data collection. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

Human-wildlife conflict management, conflict resolution, and mitigation strategies.

Community Conservation

Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore

Community Conservation: Community-based conservation, participatory approaches, and local engagement. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

Ecotourism

Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore

Ecotourism: Ecotourism principles, wildlife tourism, and sustainable tourism. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

Wildlife Conservation and Management Project

Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore

Wildlife Conservation and Management Project: Independent project on wildlife conservation or management topic. Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engag...

Biodiversity Conservation

Focus on biodiversity assessment, conservation strategies, and biodiversity 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.

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Focus on human-wildlife conflict management, conflict resolution, and mitigation strategies. 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.

Protected Area Management

Specialization in protected area management, park planning, and conservation area design. 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.

General Practice

Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. 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.

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan

LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan

Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.

Higher Education Fund (HEF)

Government fundingKenyan

Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.

County Government Bursaries

BursaryKenyan

Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

End of Semester Examinations

Exam70% of the mark

Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.

Continuous Assessment Tests

Cat30% of the mark

Regular tests, assignments, and field reports throughout the semester.

Field Practice Assessments

Practicum100% of the mark

Evaluation of field skills in wildlife monitoring, conservation, and protected area management.

Research Project

Project100% of the mark

Independent research project on wildlife conservation or management topic.

Park Manager

High demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000

Manage protected areas, oversee wildlife operations, and ensure park management.

Wildlife Conservation Officer

High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000

Implement conservation strategies, protect wildlife, and manage protected areas.

Wildlife Researcher

Medium demandKsh 57,000 to Ksh 123,000

Conduct wildlife research, study wildlife populations, and support conservation science.

Conservation Biologist

Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000

Conduct conservation research, develop conservation strategies, and support biodiversity protection.

Ecotourism Manager

Medium demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 122,000

Manage ecotourism operations, develop wildlife tourism, and ensure sustainable tourism.

ChatGPT / Claude

Ai

Google Earth

Gis

Microsoft Excel

SpreadsheetPrimary

PlantVillage Nuru

Agriculture

QGIS

GisPrimary

R

Analytics

Conservation is always pro-poor

While conservation can reduce material poverty, protected areas often impose substantial local costs on wellbeing, especially for the poorest. Conservation and poverty reduction involve trade-offs.

Protected areas are the only way to conserve wildlife

While protected areas are important, most species live outside them. Conservation must also work in human-dominated landscapes. The Yellowstone model doesn't work everywhere.

Species stereotypes accurately represent habitat needs

Stereotypes based on limited research can be misleading. For example, black rhinos eat more grass than assumed, and pandas would use diverse forest types if available.

Separating people from nature protects wildlife

Colonial-era models that exclude local communities often fail. Community-based conservation with secure tenure rights is more effective for both people and wildlife.

Compensation neutralizes conservation costs

Compensation for wildlife damage or opportunity costs is rarely sufficient or commensurate with the costs to wellbeing experienced by local communities.

More protected areas always mean better conservation

Protected areas can isolate species in small, disconnected areas, weakening genetic diversity. Quality and connectivity matter more than just quantity.