Environmental Science

Master of Science in Environmental Earth Sciences

The Master of Science in Environmental Earth Sciences is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in earth sciences, environmental processes, and environmental management. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in environmental science, earth science, geological survey, and environmental management.

Core areas include earth science, environmental geology, geochemistry, hydrogeology, environmental geochemistry, climate science, soil science, environmental monitoring, GIS and remote sensing, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical earth and environmental science applications.

The programme is offered by Kirinyaga University, Strathmore University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, with University of Eldoret as a college. University of Eldoret offers the programme at its main campus with broad entry requirements. MMUST offers related MSc in Environmental Science through its School of Natural Sciences.

Students develop competencies in earth science analysis, environmental monitoring, geological assessment, hydrogeological investigation, geochemical analysis, GIS applications, and research. The programme includes coursework, field work, laboratory practicals, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time study mode at University of Eldoret. University of Eldoret requires First Class or Upper Second Class degree in life/health sciences, engineering, physical sciences, law, social sciences, humanities, or allied disciplines. Lower Second Class with postgraduate qualification or published research accepted.

Graduates pursue careers as environmental earth scientists, geological survey specialists, hydrogeologists, environmental consultants, researchers, and lecturers in government agencies, mining companies, environmental organisations, research institutions, and universities.

Skills Required

Earth Science and Geological Analysis
Environmental Geochemistry
Hydrogeology and Water Resources
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Soil Science and Analysis
Climate Science and Environmental Change
GIS and Remote Sensing for Earth Sciences
Environmental Impact Assessment
Geological Survey and Mapping
Environmental Earth Science Research Methods

Key Subjects

Earth Science
Environmental Geology
Geochemistry
Hydrogeology
Climate Science
Soil Science
Environmental Monitoring
GIS and Remote Sensing
Environmental Impact Assessment
Earth Science Research Methods

Certifications

NEMA Professional Certification
IUGS Professional Membership

Specializations

Environmental Geology

Focuses on environmental geology, geological hazards, geological assessment, soil geology, and understanding geological processes and their environmental impacts.

Hydrogeology

Examines hydrogeology, groundwater, aquifer systems, water quality, and understanding and managing groundwater and water resources.

Environmental Geochemistry

Covers environmental geochemistry, chemical processes in earth systems, soil chemistry, water chemistry, and understanding chemical processes in the environment.

Climate Science

Focuses on climate science, climate change, palaeoclimate, atmospheric science, and understanding climate processes and environmental change.

Soil Science

Examines soil science, soil formation, soil classification, soil chemistry, soil fertility, and understanding and managing soils in environmental contexts.

Environmental Monitoring

Covers environmental monitoring, environmental assessment, pollution monitoring, environmental indicators, and monitoring and assessing environmental quality.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 180,000
Private, up to: Ksh 0
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Earth Science
Environmental Geology
Geochemistry
Hydrogeology
Climate Science
Soil Science
Environmental Monitoring
GIS and Remote Sensing
Environmental Impact Assessment
Earth Science Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Earth Science Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines earth science fundamentals, earth systems, earth structure, plate tectonics, earth materials, and understanding earth science principles.
Environmental Geology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers environmental geology, geological hazards, geological assessment, soil geology, and understanding geological processes and their environmental impacts.
Environmental Geochemistry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines environmental geochemistry, chemical processes in earth systems, rock chemistry, water chemistry, soil chemistry, and understanding chemical processes in the environment.
Hydrogeology and Water Resources
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers hydrogeology, groundwater, aquifer systems, groundwater flow, water quality, and understanding and managing groundwater and water resources.
Climate Science and Environmental Change
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines climate science, climate processes, climate change, palaeoclimate, atmospheric science, and understanding climate and environmental change.
Soil Science and Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers soil science, soil formation, soil classification, soil chemistry, soil fertility, and understanding and managing soils in environmental contexts.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines environmental monitoring, environmental assessment, pollution monitoring, environmental indicators, and monitoring and assessing environmental quality.
GIS and Remote Sensing for Earth Sciences
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers GIS and remote sensing, GIS applications, satellite imagery, spatial analysis, and using geospatial tools for earth science and environmental management.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines environmental impact assessment, EIA processes, environmental assessment, and assessing environmental impacts of development projects.
Earth Science Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for earth science, experimental design, field methods, data analysis, and conducting earth science research, preparing students for their thesis.
Geological Resources and Mining
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines geological resources, mineral resources, mining geology, resource assessment, and understanding and managing geological and mineral resources.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an environmental earth sciences topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and earth science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Environmental Geology
Focuses on environmental geology, geological hazards, geological assessment, soil geology, and understanding geological processes and their environmental impacts.
Hydrogeology
Examines hydrogeology, groundwater, aquifer systems, water quality, and understanding and managing groundwater and water resources.
Environmental Geochemistry
Covers environmental geochemistry, chemical processes in earth systems, soil chemistry, water chemistry, and understanding chemical processes in the environment.
Climate Science
Focuses on climate science, climate change, palaeoclimate, atmospheric science, and understanding climate processes and environmental change.
Soil Science
Examines soil science, soil formation, soil classification, soil chemistry, soil fertility, and understanding and managing soils in environmental contexts.
Environmental Monitoring
Covers environmental monitoring, environmental assessment, pollution monitoring, environmental indicators, and monitoring and assessing environmental quality.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Environmental Earth Sciences programme begins with morning lectures on earth science, environmental geology, or hydrogeology. Students engage in theoretical discussions on earth processes, environmental systems, and geological science. Earth science sessions cover earth systems, earth structure, plate tectonics, earth materials, and understanding earth science fundamentals. Environmental geology sessions examine geological hazards, geological assessment, soil geology, environmental impacts, and understanding geological processes and environmental impacts. Geochemistry sessions cover chemical processes, rock chemistry, water chemistry, soil chemistry, and understanding chemical processes in earth systems. Hydrogeology sessions examine groundwater, aquifer systems, groundwater flow, water quality, and understanding and managing groundwater resources. Climate science sessions cover climate processes, climate change, palaeoclimate, atmospheric science, and understanding climate and environmental change. Soil science sessions involve soil formation, soil classification, soil chemistry, soil fertility, and understanding and managing soils. Environmental monitoring sessions cover environmental assessment, pollution monitoring, environmental indicators, and monitoring and assessing environmental quality. GIS and remote sensing sessions examine GIS applications, satellite imagery, spatial analysis, and using geospatial tools for earth science. Environmental impact assessment sessions cover EIA processes, environmental assessment, and assessing environmental impacts of projects. Field work provides hands-on experience in geological survey, soil assessment, water sampling, and environmental monitoring. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with geochemical analysis, soil analysis, water analysis, and microscopic analysis. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering earth science research methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from NEMA officials, geological survey experts, UNEP scientists, and university researchers provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

University of Eldoret accepts graduates from diverse backgrounds including life sciences, engineering, physical sciences, law, social sciences, and humanities.
Kenya's mining sector, water resource management, environmental regulations, and climate challenges create moderate demand for qualified environmental earth science professionals.
UNEP headquartered in Nairobi provides unique opportunities for environmental science professionals in Kenya.
Programme combines earth science with environmental management, providing both geological knowledge and environmental assessment skills.

Against it

Programme is full-time only at University of Eldoret, which may not accommodate working professionals.
Field work in geological and environmental sites may be challenging due to remote locations and field conditions.
Limited number of institutions offering the programme may restrict geographic access for prospective students.
Specific fee structures could not be independently verified from all official websites, making cost planning challenging.

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

Public120k to 180k

120k at Kirinyaga University180k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

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

MMUST ~150,750/yr, Kirinyaga ~149,300/yr (kyu.ac.ke). Both unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. NEMA supports environmental management and capacity building. IUGS provides research funding for geological sciences. UNEP supports environmental science capacity building. The programme's environmental and earth science focus attracts donor and international organisation funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
NEMA Environmental Grants
IUGS Research Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate environmental earth science studies at recognised universities.
NEMA Environmental Grants
GrantKsh 300,000Kenyan
NEMA provides environmental management grants, supporting research and capacity building in environmental science and management.
IUGS Research Funding
GrantKsh 400,000
IUGS supports geological science research, providing funding for research and capacity building in earth sciences globally.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme has broad entry requirements accepting diverse academic backgrounds including life/health sciences, engineering, physical sciences, law, social sciences, humanities, and allied disciplines. Two-year full-time programme at University of Eldoret main campus. Lower Second Class accepted with postgraduate qualification or published research.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, field reports, laboratory reports, geochemical analysis projects, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering earth science, environmental geology, hydrogeology, and geochemistry, conducted at end of each semester.
Field and Laboratory Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of field work, geological survey, laboratory analysis, environmental monitoring, GIS projects, and practical field and lab reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an environmental earth sciences topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and earth science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Eldoret offers MSc in Environmental Earth Sciences at its main campus. MMUST offers related MSc in Environmental Science. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate environmental earth science training. NEMA regulates environmental management in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Eldoret offers MSc in Environmental Earth Sciences at its main campus. MMUST offers related MSc in Environmental Science. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate environmental earth science training.
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
Professional accreditation
NEMA regulates environmental management in Kenya. Graduates working in environmental management may require NEMA compliance and environmental impact assessment certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Environmental Earth Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts environmental and earth science research, studying earth processes, environmental systems, and supporting environmental management decisions.
Hydrogeologist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Investigates groundwater resources, assessing aquifer systems, water quality, and supporting water resource management and development.
Environmental Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 500,000
Consults on environmental projects, providing expert advice on environmental impact assessment, geological assessment, and environmental management.
Geological Survey Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts geological surveys, mapping geological features, assessing mineral resources, and supporting geological survey and mining activities.
Research Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts earth and environmental science research, studying geological processes, environmental change, and contributing to earth science knowledge.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches environmental earth sciences in universities, conducting research and training future earth science professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as environmental earth scientists, hydrogeologists, and environmental consultants in government agencies, mining companies, and environmental organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ArcGIS
SoftwarePrimary
GIS software for geological mapping, spatial analysis, environmental mapping, and geospatial analysis for earth science and environmental management.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for environmental and earth science research data analysis, field experiment analysis, and statistical modelling.
Google Earth Engine
Software
Cloud-based geospatial platform for satellite imagery analysis, land cover mapping, environmental monitoring, and remote sensing for earth science.
R Statistical Computing
Software
Open-source statistical computing for environmental and earth science data analysis, geochemical analysis, and research data analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Environmental earth sciences is just about rocks and soil.
The programme involves complex earth systems, geochemistry, hydrogeology, climate science, GIS, and environmental management, far beyond rocks and soil.
Earth science is not relevant to Kenya's development.
Kenya's mining sector, water resources, geological hazards, environmental management, and climate challenges create demand for earth science professionals.
There is limited demand for environmental earth scientists in Kenya.
Kenya's mining sector, water resource management, environmental regulations, and climate challenges create moderate demand for qualified environmental earth science professionals.
This programme is only for geology graduates.
University of Eldoret accepts graduates from life/health sciences, engineering, physical sciences, law, social sciences, humanities, and allied disciplines.
Environmental earth science is not technology-driven.
Modern earth science involves GIS, remote sensing, geochemical analysis, digital modelling, and advanced analytical instruments.
A master's in environmental earth sciences is redundant after a bachelor's in environmental science.
The master's provides specialised earth science knowledge, research capability, and career progression to senior environmental and geological positions.