Ag. Chairperson
Message from the Chairperson
Thank you for visiting the Department of Earth Sciences which is under the School of Science and Applied Technology. We would like to extend a warm welcome to all visitors and to our students in particular.
In the Department of Earth Sciences, we are committed to being student-centered, creating learning environments that are challenging, collaborative, multidisciplinary, and skill-based (e.g. cartography, remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), spatial statistics, and environmental sampling and surveying).
Our goal is to educate and train our students, both undergraduates and postgraduates, for current and emerging geographical, environmental and natural resource management challenges that are characterized by complexity, uncertainty, interactivity and rapid change across space and time.
Academic Programmes
- PhD in Environmental Science
- Master of Science in Environmental Science
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
- Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management
- Bachelor of Science in Geography
Proposed Degree Courses
- Master of Science in Geography for Sustainable Resource Management (1st intake September 2024)
- Bachelor of Science in Climate-Smart Agriculture ((1st intake September 2025)
- Bachelor of Science in Animal Science
- Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation
Proposed Diploma Courses
- Diploma in Animal Science
- Diploma in General Agriculture
Certificate Courses
- Environmental Impact Assessment and Audits
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Opportunities for Graduates of the Programme
Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science
The Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science is designed for environmental managers, and other professionals who wish to gain a firm theoretical and practical grounding in Environmental Science and explore its relevance to their professional practice. The Programme should be able to develop students’ understanding of the complexity of environmental problems both locally and globally and be able to offer solutions. The Programme should be able to develop students’ understanding of the complexity of environmental problems both locally and globally and be able to offer solutions.
Opportunities for Graduates of the Programme
Master of Science in Environmental Science
Human beings will forever rely on the environment for their day to day survival irrespective of the chosen economic base. As communities endeavor to develop and improve livelihoods the potential hazards (pollution, climate change and species extinction, to name a few) that development can impose on the ecosystems must be understood and dealt with. Finally, environmental career options are increasing as the global population increases their understanding and appreciation of needs for sustainable development.
Opportunities for Graduates of the Programme
Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science
The Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science is designed for environmental managers, and other professionals who wish to gain a firm theoretical and practical grounding in areas of environmental science and explore its relevance to their professional practice. The aims to develop students’ understanding of the complexity of environmental problems both locally and globally and be able to offer solutions. Students will benefit from the wide range of research interests in areas such as climate change, biodiversity, environmental management, pollution and control, population dynamics, ecosystems and urbanization among others thus producing scientists with rigorous, interdisciplinary training.
Academic Staff
- Six (6) regular teaching and research academic staff
- Authors of numerous scientific papers and book chapters
- Registered NEMA lead experts
Collaborations
The Department has established a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Alliance for Biodiversity International and CIAT to boost:
Research activities
Co-designing of Curriculum Development with the Department
Capacity Development of Staff
Outreach programmes to scale up adoption and diffusion of validated Climate Smart Agricultural Technologies
Other Services/Consultancy Work
The members of the Department continue to offer guidance to the University on Environmental Management issues and GIS issues.
Bachelor of Science in Geography
The programme provides Students with knowledge on sustainable resource use and development. It takes cognisance of the fact that resources upon which life depends are delicate and scarce and therefore, can be depleted if not properly managed. In addition, the programme will enable students to recognize and value the applied aspects of a geographic education, especially the acquisition of GIS skills, spatial statistics and geographic communication. Graduates of the BSc in Geography Degree find employment in many fields in both the public and private sectors International Organizations, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Geography Graduates are employed in a variety of jobs that include; Resource Planners, GIS specialist, Hydrologists, Land Management specialists, Monitoring of Climate Change and a variety of environmental related fields.
BSc in Natural Resource Management (Formerly USAL)
Kenya is endowed with a variety of productive natural resources in the form of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Sustainable exploitation of these natural resources is essential for economic, political and social development as well as food security in Kenya. Therefore, this curriculum is intended to impart and produce broad minded graduates equipped with up to date knowledge and skills on sustainable use and conservation of natural resource for Kenya’s prosperity.
Department Contact
Email: earthsciences@laikipia.ac.ke