Environmental Science

Master of Science in Dryland Environment and Natural Resources Management

The Master of Science in Dryland Environment and Natural Resources Management provides advanced training in dryland ecology, natural resource management, arid land systems, and environmental conservation. Students learn dryland environmental processes, natural resource assessment, arid land management, and sustainable resource use in dryland ecosystems. The programme is designed for environmental science and natural resource graduates seeking advanced dryland management qualifications.

Students develop advanced competencies in dryland ecology, natural resource assessment, arid land management, desertification control, water resource management, and environmental monitoring. The curriculum covers dryland environmental processes, natural resource management, arid land ecology, research methods, and a research thesis. Practical skills are developed through field work and research projects.

Dryland management expertise is critical for Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), which cover over 80 per cent of the country's land area. Environmental agencies, county governments, NGOs, and research institutions require trained dryland management professionals. Kenya's desertification challenges, climate change impacts, and resource conflicts in ASALs create demand for dryland expertise. The programme addresses the demand for advanced dryland environmental training.

The programme combines classroom lectures with field work, laboratory sessions, and research. Students study dryland concepts, conduct environmental assessments, monitor natural resources, and perform research. Teaching methods include lectures, field practicals, laboratory sessions, and research supervision. The programme is offered in full-time and part-time modes.

Graduates find employment as environmental managers, natural resource officers, dryland specialists, or conservation officers in government, county governments, NGOs, and research institutions. The master's degree supports careers in dryland environmental management, natural resource management, and ASAL development.

This programme is ideal for environmental science and natural resource graduates seeking advanced dryland management qualifications. The programme provides advanced skills for dryland environmental management, arid land conservation, and sustainable resource use.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 180,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Master

What you study

10 subjects

Dryland Ecology and Environmental Processes
Natural Resource Management
Arid Land Systems
Desertification Control
Water Resource Management in Drylands
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Climate Change in Drylands
Research Methods
Rangeland Management
Thesis Research

Modules

8 in the programme

Dryland Ecology and Environmental Processes
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Dryland ecology covering arid land ecosystems, dryland biodiversity, soil processes in drylands, and environmental processes in arid and semi-arid lands.
Natural Resource Management in Drylands
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Natural resource management covering resource assessment, sustainable use, community-based natural resource management, and resource governance in dryland areas.
Desertification Control and Land Restoration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Desertification control covering causes of desertification, land degradation assessment, restoration techniques, and sustainable land management practices.
Research Methods and Statistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods covering research design, statistical analysis, environmental research methods, and research ethics.
Water Resource Management in Drylands
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Water resource management covering water scarcity, water harvesting, groundwater management, and water resource management in arid and semi-arid lands.
Climate Change and Dryland Environments
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Climate change in drylands covering climate variability, drought cycles, climate adaptation, and the impact of climate change on dryland ecosystems and livelihoods.
Environmental Monitoring and Rangeland Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Environmental monitoring covering monitoring techniques, indicators, and rangeland management covering rangeland ecology, grazing management, and rangeland restoration.
Thesis Research and Defence
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
A research thesis on a dryland environment or natural resources topic, demonstrating research competence and contributing to dryland management knowledge.

Specialisations

Desertification Control
Focus on desertification assessment, land degradation, and restoration techniques for degraded dryland ecosystems.
Water Resource Management
Focus on water scarcity, water harvesting, groundwater management, and water resource planning in dryland areas.
Rangeland Management
Focus on rangeland ecology, grazing management, and rangeland restoration in ASAL areas.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on dryland ecology or natural resource management with afternoon field practicals and laboratory sessions. Students study dryland environmental processes, conduct resource assessments, monitor environmental conditions, and perform research. Field practicals in ASAL environments provide hands-on experience with dryland assessment methods, water resource monitoring, and rangeland assessment. Research projects connect students with real dryland management challenges. The programme emphasises dryland competence, resource management skills, and research capabilities.

The trade offs

In its favour

Dryland management is critical for Kenya, with over 80 per cent of land being arid or semi-arid.
Offered at Garissa University, located in an ASAL region providing excellent field opportunities.
Addresses critical challenges of desertification, climate change, and resource conflicts in drylands.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting accessibility.
Specific fee data is not publicly available; estimate based on comparable programmes.
Field work in remote ASAL areas may be challenging and require significant travel.

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

Public180k to 180k

180k at Garissa University180k at Garissa 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

Garissa doesn't publish masters fees online. Unverified. No private provider.

HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students. ASAL development organisations and NGOs may offer dryland-related scholarships and research grants.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in master's programmes at chartered universities

Getting in

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

What you need

Alternative entry: BSc with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Biology, or related field from a recognised university. Lower Second Class Honours with relevant work experience may be considered.

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework and Examinations
Written examination40% of the mark
Coursework assessments, written examinations, and assignments evaluating understanding of dryland environment and natural resource concepts.
Field Practicals and Laboratory Work
Practical30% of the mark
Field practical assessments, laboratory evaluations, and project assignments evaluating practical dryland management skills.
Thesis Defence
Project30% of the mark
A research thesis demonstrating research competence in dryland environment or natural resources, defended before an examination panel.

Accreditation

Garissa University is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The MSc programme is accredited by CUE.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Garissa University is chartered by CUE. MSc programme accredited by CUE.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Environmental Manager
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages environmental programmes in dryland areas, overseeing conservation, resource management, and environmental compliance in government or NGOs.
Natural Resource Officer
Moderate demand
Manages natural resources in county governments or conservation organisations, overseeing sustainable resource use and conservation in ASAL areas.
Dryland Specialist
Low demand
Provides specialist expertise on dryland environments for research institutions, development organisations, or government agencies.
Conservation Officer
Moderate demand
Manages conservation programmes in dryland ecosystems, implementing biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration in ASAL areas.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as environmental managers, natural resource officers, and dryland specialists in government, county governments, NGOs, and research institutions, with opportunities for ASAL development and environmental conservation.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Dryland environments have no valuable resources to manage.
Drylands contain valuable resources including rangelands, biodiversity, minerals, and water resources that require careful management for sustainability.
Dryland management is only relevant in northern Kenya.
Over 80 per cent of Kenya's land area is arid or semi-arid, making dryland management relevant across most of the country.
Nothing can be done about desertification.
Desertification can be controlled and reversed through sustainable land management, afforestation, water conservation, and community-based natural resource management.
Dryland studies is just about drought.
Dryland studies covers ecology, biodiversity, water resources, rangeland management, climate adaptation, and sustainable livelihoods, not just drought.