Background Information

The Department of Environmental Science was founded in 1991 in the then Faculty of Environmental Studies. In 2004 the faculty was restructured and the Department of Environmental Science and the Department of Environmental Foundations were merged to the current Department of Environmental Sciences. The department currently offers two degree programmes namely Environmental Sciences (ENS) and Environmental Resource Conservation (ERC) at bachelors, masters, and doctoral levels.

Speciality and Branding

The Department of Environmental Sciences offers two unique and interdisciplinary programmes of study: Environmental Sciences (ENS) and Environmental Resource Conservation (ERC). The programmes have been reviewed in the last 2 years to make them academically rigorous and relevant and also competitive in the job market.  Our graduates find employment in a wide range of  organisations in both the private and public sectors. Majority of our graduates are certified and licensed EIA Lead Experts with the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), and many others have made succesful careers as local and global consultants in environmental sciences, resource conservation, climate change, energy, and other related disciplines.

Internal Links

The Department of Environmental Sciences is one of the inaugural departments in the School of Environmental Studies. The school currently has a total of four departments. The Environmental Sciences Department currently offers two degree programmes namely Environmental Sciences (ENS) and  Environmental Resource Conservation (ERC) at bachelors, masters, and doctoral levels. 

External Links

The Department of Environmental Sciences has formal links with the Regional Centre for Mapping Resources for Development (RCMRD), and is in the process of formalising links with the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), and the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI). Collaboration with the University of Glasgow for postgraduate student training is also being developed. The Department also has links with the Nile Basin Initiative, and UNEP.

Research activities

Postgraduate students have conducted research with their supervisors in the areas of: water pollution, air pollution, waste management, agroforestry, aquatic ecology, renewable and non-renewable energy resources, environmental economics, ecotourism, soil fertility, indigenous knowledge systems, hydrology, and dryland agriculture.

Staff members are carrying out research in the following broad areas:
Agrometeorology, hydrology, pollution, waste management, energy systems, environmental impact assessment, agroforestry, soil fertility, aquatic ecology, marine ecosystems, management of arid and semi arid lands, ecotourism.

The emerging environmental issues linked to Kenya’s resource ecology include: loss of biodiversity, forest degradation, desertification, soil erosion, land degradation, water pollution, eutrophication, wetland reclamation, introduction of alien invasive species and climate change. In most of these issues, the root causes are unemployment and poverty which have been described as the twin challenges of Kenya’s sustainable development. In seeking solution to some of the problems, it is important to address their root causes and not just their symptoms. Other issues of special concern related to the conservation of natural resources and human health are growing disease problems, threats of unintended gene transfers and waste disposal.

Apart from the separated issues reviewed here, one significant broad result of the Rio process and Agenda 21 been the growing recognition that all different aspects of sustainable development are interrelated, and only integrated approaches will make it possible to approach sustainability. New evidence since Rio shows that these interrelationships also apply to global environmental problems, such as those for which international conventions have adopted. There are significant interactions between climate change, ozone depletion, desertification and biodiversity loss, for instance, requiring greater attention to synergistic effects between these problems, and integrate approaches to research, assessment and management.

The Department of Environmental Sciences therefore, endeavours to produce highly qualified professionals with knowledge, requisite skills and motivation to participate adequately in environmental development of the nation and beyond.

• Dr. Gichuki  Nathan
• Dr Frida Mugo
• Dr. Gelas Simiyu
• Dr. Isaiah Bosire
• Dr. James_Munga
• Dr. Mbae Muchiri
• Dr. Nicholas.O.Oguge
• Prof. David Mungai
• Prof. Godfrey Ngunjiri
• Prof .Robinson Kinuthia
• Dr. George Godwin Wagah

The Chairman's office is located in the 8.4.4 Building Complex, First Floor Room Number 81
Phone No. 020-8703808/020-8703001/020-8704000

0208703809- Chair
0208703808- Secretary for External
EXT 3809 - Chair
EXT 3808- Secretary for Internal Users

Vision statement
The vision of the Department of Environmental Sciences is to be an active competitive centre of excellence in teaching, learning, consultancy and research in environmental sciences

Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Environmental Sciences is to provide quality teaching, learning, consultancy and research, promote creativity and inculcate moral values necessary for sustainable development of society and the environment.

Identify statement
The Department of Environmental Sciences is a community of scholars committed to the research, development and dissemination of knowledge in environmental sciences.

Philosophy Statement
The philosophy of Department of Environmental Sciences is sensitivity and responsiveness to individual and societal needs and the right of every person to a clean and healthy environment.

Objectives
The Objectives of Department of Environmental Sciences are to:
1. Develop, promote and expand University education in environmental sciences through initiation of new programs and alternative modes of delivery including the use of modern technology.
2. Participation in research, dissemination and presentation of environmental sciences knowledge for both academic and societal development.
3. Nurture excellence and high standards of professionalism in research, teaching, learning and community service in the area of environment.
4. Provide equal opportunities for those qualifies to pursue environmental sciences at university level education.
5. Adopt and apply quality assurance practices in planning, implementation and evaluation of teaching and research in environmental sciences.
6. Ensure the promotion and development of student’s welfare for the attainment of academic excellence in environmental science.
7. Provide and use facilities in collaboration with other approved institutions to enhance access to environmental sciences education at University level.

>>BACHELOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

>>MASTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

>>MASTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (AGROFORESTRY AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT)

>>DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE)

The department has the following programmes:

• B.Sc. in Environmental Education
• Master of Science in Environmental Education
• Master of Environmental Studies (Climate Change & Sustainability)
• Master of Science (Sustainable Urban Development)
• PhD Programmes in the above fields

PhD by thesis only in the following areas:

The department also offers a course in EEN 100 – Introduction to Environmental Education which is mandatory for all students taking a Bachelors degree in education.

Mission of the Programmes

This Environmental Education programme intends to equip learners with knowledge and skills to enhance capacity in communication, education and public awareness for attitude change and participation in environmental sustainability at both formal and non-formal sectors.

Objectives of the Programme

Equip learners with critical understanding of the perspectives of environmental education and sustainability

• Equip learners with skills necessary to develop and research environmental issues using diverse environmental learning methods and strategies.
• To enable learners to understand their roles as facilitators of learning and how to use diverse methods and strategies in environmental practice.
• To build capacity among learners so as to provide leadership on environmental concerns that face societies.

Career
Graduates are employed in a variety of places both in public and private sectors. They are mainly absorbed in the;
• Ministry of Environment, Water and \natural Resources
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure
• Ministry of Energy and Petroleum
• Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries
• Ministry of Mining
• County Governments
• NEMA
• ICRAF, UNEP, UN habitat, IUCN, KWS, PA, KEFRI:
Collaborative research, exchange and sharing of information, student attachments in all the above organization.

Resources
In addition to the highly qualified staff, the Department has two laboratory, where some analyses of chemical and biological parameters can be done. A computer laboratory of the School, with internet access is also available to students. More specialized analyses are conducted in collaborating laboratories.
Doctoral programmes are by thesis only and are normally for a duration of three years of full time study, and five years of part time study.

Certificate

CERTIFICATE IN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT , AUDITING AND MONITORING

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