Environmental Science

Master of Science in Human Ecology

The Master of Science in Human Ecology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in human-environment interactions, ecological sustainability, community resource management, and environmental conservation. The programme combines ecological theory with practical field work, community engagement, and research application.

Core areas include human ecology, environmental studies, community resource management, biodiversity conservation, climate change, sustainable development, environmental impact assessment, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, field work, and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Eldoret as MSc in Environmental Studies (Human Ecology) through the School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management. UoE is a public university offering the programme over two academic years through full-time mode of study.

Students develop competencies in human-environment analysis, ecological sustainability, community resource management, and environmental conservation. The programme includes coursework, examinations, field work, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates to address contemporary human-environment challenges.

The University of Eldoret charges approximately KES 130,000/year (KES 65,000/semester for 4 semesters) plus KES 15,000/year field course fee. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours in a related field from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as human ecologists, environmental scientists, community resource managers, conservation officers, environmental consultants, and lecturers in human ecology across government ministries, NGOs, research institutions, conservation organisations, and universities.

Skills Required

Human-Environment Interaction Analysis
Ecological Sustainability and Conservation
Community Resource Management
Biodiversity Conservation and Management
Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
Environmental Impact Assessment
Sustainable Development Planning
Environmental Policy and Governance
Research Methods in Human Ecology
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Human-Environment Interaction Analysis
Ecological Sustainability and Conservation
Community Resource Management
Biodiversity Conservation and Management
Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
Environmental Impact Assessment
Sustainable Development Planning
Environmental Policy and Governance
Research Methods in Human Ecology
Thesis Research

Certifications

NEMA EIA Lead Expert Certification
IUCN Conservation Certification

Specializations

Environmental Human Ecology

Focuses on human-environment interactions, covering ecology, resources, sustainability, communities, and managing human ecology.

Community Resource Management

Examines community resources, covering assessment, management, development, participation, and managing community resources.

Biodiversity Conservation

Covers biodiversity, covering conservation, species, habitats, protected areas, and managing biodiversity.

Climate Change Adaptation

Focuses on climate change, covering adaptation, mitigation, vulnerability, resilience, and managing climate change.

Sustainable Development

Examines sustainable development, covering planning, policy, indicators, goals, and managing sustainable development.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Covers EIA, covering assessment, methods, reporting, monitoring, and managing environmental impact.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 130,000
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: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Human-Environment Interaction Analysis
Ecological Sustainability and Conservation
Community Resource Management
Biodiversity Conservation and Management
Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
Environmental Impact Assessment
Sustainable Development Planning
Environmental Policy and Governance
Research Methods in Human Ecology
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Foundations of Human Ecology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines human-environment interactions, systems, adaptation, culture, and managing human ecology.
Environmental Studies and Sustainability
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers ecology, resources, pollution, policy, sustainability, and managing environmental studies.
Research Methods in Human Ecology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, human ecology research methods, and conducting research, preparing students for their thesis.
Community Resource Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines assessment, management, development, participation, and managing community resources.
Biodiversity Conservation and Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers conservation, species, habitats, protected areas, and managing biodiversity.
Climate Change and Human Adaptation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines science, impacts, adaptation, mitigation, resilience, and managing climate change.
Sustainable Development Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers planning, policy, indicators, goals, governance, and managing sustainable development.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines assessment, methods, reporting, monitoring, compliance, and managing environmental impact.
Environmental Policy and Governance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers policy, governance, law, institutions, stakeholders, and managing environmental policy.
Human Population and Environment
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines population, demographics, migration, urbanisation, and managing population-environment dynamics.
Ecological Economics and Resource Valuation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers economics, valuation, ecosystem services, natural capital, and managing ecological economics.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a human ecology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and human ecology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Environmental Human Ecology
Focuses on human-environment interactions, covering ecology, resources, sustainability, communities, and managing human ecology.
Community Resource Management
Examines community resources, covering assessment, management, development, participation, and managing community resources.
Biodiversity Conservation
Covers biodiversity, covering conservation, species, habitats, protected areas, and managing biodiversity.
Climate Change Adaptation
Focuses on climate change, covering adaptation, mitigation, vulnerability, resilience, and managing climate change.
Sustainable Development
Examines sustainable development, covering planning, policy, indicators, goals, and managing sustainable development.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Covers EIA, covering assessment, methods, reporting, monitoring, and managing environmental impact.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Human Ecology programme combines lectures, field work, seminars, practical workshops, and independent study. Sessions cover human ecology, environmental studies, community resources, biodiversity, and climate change. Human ecology sessions examine interactions, systems, adaptation, culture, and managing human ecology. Environmental studies sessions cover ecology, resources, pollution, policy, and managing environmental studies. Community resource sessions cover assessment, management, development, participation, and managing community resources. Biodiversity sessions cover conservation, species, habitats, protected areas, and managing biodiversity. Climate change sessions cover science, impacts, adaptation, mitigation, and managing climate change. Sustainable development sessions cover planning, policy, indicators, goals, and managing sustainable development. EIA sessions cover assessment, methods, reporting, monitoring, and managing environmental impact. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Field work provides hands-on experience with ecological surveys, community assessments, and environmental impact studies. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings and debating current issues in human ecology. Guest lectures from experienced ecologists, conservationists, and community workers provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a human ecology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme addresses critical human-environment challenges relevant to Kenya's sustainable development goals.
UoE offers competitive fees at approximately KES 130,000/year plus KES 15,000/year field course fee.
Graduates are eligible for NEMA EIA Lead Expert certification, enhancing career prospects in environmental management.
Programme combines field work with theoretical learning, providing practical experience.

Against it

Only one university (UoE, public) confirmed offering this specific programme.
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Moderate job market demand with competition from broader environmental science graduates.
Programme requires environmental or related background, limiting access for non-related graduates.

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

Public130k to 130k

130k at University of Eldoret130k at University of Eldoret

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

UoE masters fees: 65,000/sem=130,000/yr (uoeld.ac.ke). No private.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UoE may offer scholarships for eligible students. IUCN may offer research grants for conservation research. Some NGOs and government agencies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UoE Scholarship
IUCN Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
UoE Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
University of Eldoret offers scholarships for eligible postgraduate students.
IUCN Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
IUCN provides research grants for conservation and human ecology research.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: University of Eldoret requires at least Second Class Bachelor's degree in a related field from UoE, or a first degree from an accredited university recognised by UoE Academic Committee and ratified by Senate as equivalent. Contact the university for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, field reports, seminar presentations, practical work, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering human ecology, environmental studies, biodiversity, and climate change.
Practical and Field Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through field work, ecological surveys, community assessments, and demonstrating human ecology skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a human ecology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and human ecology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Eldoret (public) offers MSc in Environmental Studies (Human Ecology) through the School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in human ecology and environmental studies. Graduates are eligible for NEMA EIA Lead Expert certification and IUCN conservation certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Eldoret (public) offers MSc in Environmental Studies (Human Ecology) through the School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in human ecology and environmental studies. Graduates are eligible for NEMA EIA Lead Expert certification and IUCN conservation certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Human Ecologist
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts human ecology research, overseeing studies, analysis, publications, and managing human ecology research.
Environmental Scientist
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages environmental programmes, overseeing assessment, monitoring, planning, and managing environmental science.
Community Resource Manager
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Manages community resources, overseeing assessment, planning, development, and managing community resources.
Conservation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Manages conservation programmes, overseeing biodiversity, protected areas, and managing conservation.
Environmental Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Provides environmental consulting, overseeing EIA, advisory, planning, and managing environmental consulting.
Human Ecology Lecturer
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches human ecology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering data, statistics, analysis, and managing human ecology research data.
GIS Software
Software
GIS software for spatial analysis, covering mapping, land use, ecology, and managing spatial data.
R Studio
Software
R Studio for data analysis, covering statistics, modelling, ecology, and managing ecological data.
Google Earth Engine
Software
Google Earth Engine for remote sensing, covering satellite, monitoring, analysis, and managing environmental monitoring.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Human ecology is just about environmentalism.
Human ecology covers comprehensive human-environment interactions, systems, adaptation, culture, and sustainability beyond just environmentalism.
This programme is only for environmentalists.
Human ecology skills are valuable for community workers, planners, conservationists, researchers, and policymakers beyond just environmentalists.
Human ecology is the same as environmental science.
Human ecology focuses specifically on human-environment interactions, while environmental science covers broader environmental processes.
Community resource management is just about charity.
Community resource management covers comprehensive assessment, planning, development, management, and evaluation beyond just charity.
Climate change adaptation is just about reducing emissions.
Climate change adaptation covers comprehensive impacts, vulnerability, resilience, planning, and response beyond just reducing emissions.
This programme has limited career prospects.
Human ecology graduates work in diverse sectors including conservation, government, NGOs, research, consulting, and education.