Engineering

Master of Science in Global Environment and ASAL Engineering

The Master of Science in Global Environment and ASAL Engineering is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in environmental engineering with a focus on arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL). The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in ASAL engineering, environmental management, water resources engineering, and sustainable development in dryland areas.

Core areas include ASAL engineering, environmental engineering, water resources management, dryland hydrology, soil and water conservation, climate adaptation, environmental impact assessment, irrigation engineering, land degradation management, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical ASAL and environmental engineering applications.

The programme is offered by Turkana University College, Kabarak University, and Technical University of Kenya, with JKUAT as a college. JKUAT offers this as a specialisation within its MSc in Civil Engineering through its Department of Civil Engineering. UoN offers related MSc in Environmental and Biosystems Engineering.

Students develop competencies in ASAL engineering, environmental management, water resources, soil conservation, climate adaptation, irrigation design, and research. The programme includes coursework, design projects, field work, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time study mode at JKUAT. JKUAT requires Second Class Lower with 2 years experience or Upper Division. JKUAT fees are KES 362,000 total (~KES 181,000/year). UoN related programme fees are KES 480,000/year tuition.

Graduates pursue careers as ASAL engineers, environmental engineers, water resources engineers, irrigation engineers, climate adaptation specialists, and lecturers in government agencies, water authorities, environmental organisations, NGOs, and universities.

Skills Required

ASAL Engineering and Dryland Management
Environmental Engineering and Management
Water Resources Engineering in Arid Areas
Dryland Hydrology and Water Harvesting
Soil and Water Conservation Engineering
Climate Adaptation and Resilience Engineering
Environmental Impact Assessment
Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Land Degradation Assessment and Management
ASAL Engineering Research Methods

Key Subjects

ASAL Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Water Resources Management
Dryland Hydrology
Soil and Water Conservation
Climate Adaptation
Environmental Impact Assessment
Irrigation Engineering
Land Degradation Management
ASAL Engineering Research Methods

Certifications

IEK Professional Membership
NEMA EIA Lead Expert Certification

Specializations

ASAL Water Resources Engineering

Focuses on water resources engineering in ASAL areas, water harvesting, groundwater management, dryland hydrology, and managing water resources in arid and semi-arid lands.

Dryland Environmental Management

Examines dryland environmental management, land degradation, desertification, environmental conservation, and managing and protecting dryland environments.

Irrigation and Drainage Engineering

Covers irrigation and drainage engineering, irrigation design, water-efficient irrigation, drainage systems, and designing and managing irrigation in ASAL areas.

Climate Adaptation Engineering

Focuses on climate adaptation engineering, climate resilience, drought management, climate risk, and engineering solutions for climate adaptation in drylands.

Soil and Water Conservation

Examines soil and water conservation, erosion control, soil management, conservation structures, and conserving soil and water in ASAL environments.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Covers environmental impact assessment, environmental auditing, environmental monitoring, and assessing and managing environmental impacts of engineering projects in ASAL areas.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 291,000
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

ASAL Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Water Resources Management
Dryland Hydrology
Soil and Water Conservation
Climate Adaptation
Environmental Impact Assessment
Irrigation Engineering
Land Degradation Management
ASAL Engineering Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

ASAL Engineering Principles
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines ASAL engineering principles, dryland characteristics, ASAL challenges, ASAL development, and engineering solutions for arid and semi-arid areas.
Environmental Engineering and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers environmental engineering, environmental systems, environmental management, pollution control, environmental quality, and applying engineering to environmental management.
Water Resources Engineering in ASAL
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines water resources in ASAL, water harvesting, groundwater management, dryland hydrology, water storage, and managing water resources in arid and semi-arid areas.
Soil and Water Conservation Engineering
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers soil and water conservation, erosion control, soil conservation, conservation structures, terracing, check dams, and conserving soil and water in ASAL environments.
Climate Adaptation and Resilience Engineering
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines climate adaptation engineering, climate change impacts, drought management, climate resilience, climate risk, and engineering solutions for climate adaptation in drylands.
Environmental Impact Assessment in ASAL
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers environmental impact assessment, EIA principles, EIA methods, environmental auditing, environmental monitoring, and assessing environmental impacts of ASAL projects.
Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines irrigation and drainage engineering, irrigation principles, irrigation design, water-efficient irrigation, drip irrigation, drainage systems, and designing irrigation in ASAL.
Land Degradation and Desertification Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers land degradation, desertification, land restoration, rehabilitation, land management, and managing and restoring degraded ASAL lands.
Dryland Hydrology and Water Harvesting
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines dryland hydrology, hydrological processes in drylands, water harvesting, runoff management, groundwater recharge, and understanding and managing hydrology in ASAL areas.
ASAL Engineering Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for ASAL engineering, experimental design, field methods, data analysis, and conducting ASAL engineering research, preparing students for their thesis.
Sustainable ASAL Development
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines sustainable ASAL development, sustainable land management, community participation, ASAL livelihoods, and engineering for sustainable development in dryland areas.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a global environment and ASAL engineering topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and ASAL engineering knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

ASAL Water Resources Engineering
Focuses on water resources engineering in ASAL areas, water harvesting, groundwater management, dryland hydrology, and managing water resources in arid and semi-arid lands.
Dryland Environmental Management
Examines dryland environmental management, land degradation, desertification, environmental conservation, and managing and protecting dryland environments.
Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Covers irrigation and drainage engineering, irrigation design, water-efficient irrigation, drainage systems, and designing and managing irrigation in ASAL areas.
Climate Adaptation Engineering
Focuses on climate adaptation engineering, climate resilience, drought management, climate risk, and engineering solutions for climate adaptation in drylands.
Soil and Water Conservation
Examines soil and water conservation, erosion control, soil management, conservation structures, and conserving soil and water in ASAL environments.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Covers environmental impact assessment, environmental auditing, environmental monitoring, and assessing and managing environmental impacts of engineering projects in ASAL areas.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Global Environment and ASAL Engineering programme begins with morning lectures on ASAL engineering, environmental engineering, or water resources. Students engage in theoretical discussions on dryland environments, water scarcity, and climate adaptation. ASAL engineering sessions cover dryland characteristics, ASAL challenges, ASAL engineering principles, dryland development, and engineering solutions for arid and semi-arid areas. Environmental engineering sessions examine environmental systems, environmental management, pollution control, environmental quality, and applying engineering to environmental management. Water resources sessions cover water resources in ASAL, water harvesting, groundwater, dryland hydrology, water storage, and managing water resources in arid areas. Soil and water conservation sessions involve erosion control, soil conservation, conservation structures, terracing, check dams, and conserving soil and water in ASAL. Climate adaptation sessions cover climate change, climate impacts, drought, drought management, climate resilience, and engineering solutions for climate adaptation. Environmental impact assessment sessions examine EIA principles, EIA methods, environmental auditing, environmental monitoring, and assessing environmental impacts of ASAL projects. Irrigation engineering sessions cover irrigation principles, irrigation design, water-efficient irrigation, drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and designing and managing irrigation in ASAL. Land degradation sessions involve land degradation, desertification, land restoration, rehabilitation, and managing and restoring degraded ASAL lands. Design projects provide hands-on experience in designing ASAL engineering solutions, water harvesting systems, irrigation systems, and conservation structures. Field work provides hands-on experience in ASAL areas, site visits, field assessments, and community engagement in dryland environments. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering ASAL engineering research methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from NEMA officials, WRA engineers, NDMA specialists, UNCCD experts, and dryland researchers provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Over 80 per cent of Kenya's land area is classified as arid and semi-arid, making ASAL engineering critical for water security, food security, and sustainable development.
JKUAT offers this as a specialisation within its established MSc in Civil Engineering at KES 362,000 total, providing recognised engineering credentials.
Programme addresses critical national challenges including drought management, water scarcity, land degradation, and climate adaptation in ASAL areas.
Career opportunities with NEMA, WRA, NDMA, water authorities, NGOs, UNCCD, UNEP, and consulting firms working in ASAL development.

Against it

Programme requires engineering or related quantitative background, which may exclude many graduates.
JKUAT programme is full-time only, which may not accommodate working professionals.
Field work in ASAL areas may be challenging due to remote locations, harsh climate, and limited infrastructure.
ASAL engineering is a niche field with limited awareness among prospective students and some employers.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 332 engineering courses

Public151k to 291k

151k at Turkana University College291k at Technical University of Kenya

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

TUK Grp I Eng ~291K/yr(eafinder). TUC ~151K/yr(prospectus). Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. NDMA supports drought management research. UNCCD supports desertification and land degradation research. UNEP supports environmental management capacity building. The programme's ASAL and environmental engineering focus attracts donor and international organisation funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
NDMA Research Funding
UNCCD Research Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate ASAL engineering studies at recognised universities.
NDMA Research Funding
GrantKsh 300,000Kenyan
NDMA supports drought management research and ASAL development, providing funding for research in ASAL areas.
UNCCD Research Grants
GrantKsh 400,000
UNCCD supports desertification and land degradation research, providing funding for research and capacity building in dryland management 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 accepts civil engineering, environmental engineering, agricultural engineering, water resources, geology, environmental science, and related graduates. Two-year full-time programme at JKUAT. JKUAT requires Second Class Upper or Lower with 2 years experience or research evidence. JKUAT fees KES 362,000 total for MSc Civil Engineering with ASAL specialisation.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, design projects, case studies, ASAL engineering analysis, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering ASAL engineering, environmental engineering, water resources, and soil conservation, conducted at end of each semester.
Design Projects and Field Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of design projects, field work, ASAL site assessments, engineering design reports, and practical field reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a global environment and ASAL engineering topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and ASAL engineering knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT offers this as a specialisation within its MSc in Civil Engineering through its Department of Civil Engineering. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate environmental and ASAL engineering training. NEMA regulates environmental management and IEK supports engineering professionals in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT offers this as a specialisation within its MSc in Civil Engineering through its Department of Civil Engineering. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate environmental and ASAL engineering training.
Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK)
Professional accreditation
EBK regulates engineering practice in Kenya. Graduates working as engineering professionals may require EBK registration and professional engineering licensing.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

ASAL Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Designs and implements ASAL engineering solutions, overseeing water harvesting, soil conservation, and infrastructure in arid and semi-arid areas.
Environmental Engineer
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages environmental engineering projects, overseeing environmental management, pollution control, and environmental compliance in organisations.
Water Resources Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages water resources engineering, overseeing water resources, water supply, water management, and ensuring water security in ASAL areas.
Irrigation Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Designs and manages irrigation systems, overseeing irrigation design, water-efficient irrigation, and ensuring effective irrigation in ASAL areas.
Climate Adaptation Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Develops climate adaptation solutions, overseeing climate resilience, drought management, and supporting climate adaptation in dryland communities.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches ASAL and environmental engineering in universities, conducting research and training future ASAL engineering professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as ASAL engineers, environmental engineers, and water resources engineers in government agencies, water authorities, environmental organisations, and NGOs.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

AutoCAD
SoftwarePrimary
Engineering design software for ASAL engineering design, irrigation design, conservation structure design, and civil engineering drawings.
HEC-RAS
SoftwarePrimary
Hydrological engineering software for river analysis, flood modelling, water surface profiling, and hydraulic analysis in ASAL water resources.
ArcGIS
Software
GIS software for ASAL mapping, land degradation mapping, water resources mapping, and spatial analysis for ASAL engineering projects.
SWAT
Software
Soil and Water Assessment Tool for watershed modelling, hydrological modelling, and assessing soil and water in ASAL catchments.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

ASAL engineering is just about building boreholes.
The programme involves complex water resources engineering, environmental management, climate adaptation, soil conservation, irrigation design, and research, far beyond drilling boreholes.
ASAL engineering is not relevant in Kenya.
Over 80 per cent of Kenya's land area is classified as arid and semi-arid, making ASAL engineering critical for water security, food security, and sustainable development.
There is limited demand for ASAL engineers in Kenya.
Kenya's ASAL regions, drought management needs, water scarcity challenges, and climate adaptation requirements create moderate demand for qualified ASAL engineering professionals.
This programme is only for civil engineering graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from civil engineering, environmental engineering, agricultural engineering, water resources, geology, and related engineering and science fields.
ASAL engineering has no career prospects outside government.
ASAL engineers work with NGOs, international organisations like UNCCD and UNEP, water authorities, consulting firms, and research institutions in addition to government.
A master's in ASAL engineering is too specialised.
The programme provides specialised ASAL engineering skills that are increasingly in demand as climate change intensifies dryland challenges and Kenya invests in ASAL development.