Bachelors in Environmental Studies (BES)
Introduction:
Environment is not only the bio-physical “surrounding” but also includes the human’s social and economic aspects in it. It is the sum total of all the living, non-living and socio-economic entities, interacting and affecting each other including humans. Nature or the environment is the ultimate resource for all living beings, and humans are no exception. However, our need and greed, and mismanagement has resulted in the degradation of the quality of the environment. Accordingly, the environment has become the focus of many disciplines and discourses, and encompasses almost all branches of natural and social sciences. Environmental issues are now part of every talk, debate, career path and employment. Therefore, a holistic knowledge and understanding of different disciplines is essential to understand the environment and its dynamics. The Bachelors in Environmental Studies (BES) is specially designed in this plan with focus on social, economic, and ecological dimensions of environmental issues.
This Bachelor Program is an interdisciplinary program between three schools – Science, Arts and Management of Kathmandu University. The School of Science is the first signatory school of Kathmandu University and has been QAA Accredited by UGC Nepal. This school has proven expertise in the various disciplines of the natural science and in interdisciplinary programs. The School of Arts too has a long history of establishment, and it not only imparts education in the fields of humanities and social sciences, but also in some contemporary programs such as mass communication, music and arts and design. Similarly, the School of Management with an established brand name ‘KUSOM’ has been a premium business school of the country with international repute. Together with the cooperation between these three schools, various interdisciplinary programs with high potential of success could be envisioned. And Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) is one such program, which has a high value at present and in future and is destined to be a successful program.
The Degree:
The University offers two degrees, BA and BS for the Bachelor in Environmental Studies program depending upon the prequalification of the students enrolled, courses taken, and the project work done.
Eligibility criteria:
Nepali or non-Nepali nationals with 10 + 2 or equivalent level education of at least 1.60 CGPA or 40% in aggregate, and GCE Advanced Level students passed in minimum three subjects in A Level and one general paper in AS Level with minimum 40% PUM in aggregate are eligible for the admission. The admission is open to the interested students of all the streams of High Schools such as Science, Arts, Management, Computer etc. with the minimum qualifications.
Career profiles:
Environmental inspector, Environmentalist, Environmental resource manager, Ecologist, Conservationist, Monitoring and evaluation officer (M&E), Gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) officer, Sustainable and climate finance officer, IEE/EIA team member, Environmental educator, Environmental analyst, Environmental researcher, Environmental consultant, Environmental reporter and many more in natural resource, climate change, development, sustainability related works.
Course highlights:
BES is a four years (eight semesters) program. Some of the courses and components are:
- Ecology
- Green entrepreneurship
- Conservation and protected area
- Environmental pollution
- ITK and practices
- Environmental arts and design
- Climate change
- Earth and minerals
- Water, land and forest management
- Biological resources and food security
- Sustainability
- Nature based solutions and innovation
- Environmental economics
- Community based learning
- Environmental Ethics and philosophy
- Environmental sociology
- Field trips, internships and environmental projects
Fees and scholarships:
The total fee for the program is about Rs. 6,15000 for 4 years or 8 Semesters of the study. Fee waivers for entrance topper, semester topper, merit and need based scholarship, endowment fund scholarship, research project-based scholarship, and employment opportunity for meritorious graduates are available.
Classes:
Most of the Classes of this program will be run in Kathmandu University, School of Management, Balkumari, Lalitpur, with a few, specially the practical in school of science at Dhulikhel. Classes will be run in daytime from September/October 2024 session. Senior faculty and visiting experts will be involved in the classes and practical.
Other Highlights:
The enrolled students will also have participation in skill enhancing activities such as Practical; Field trips; Interns; Projects; Conferences; Workshops etc.
Admission opens till 15 September 2024
Admission form is available online from KU website