Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Tribhuvan University

Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Tribhuvan University

The Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (CDHM) is an academic department at Kirtipur Campus under the Institute of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University. Established in 1987, CDHM works in higher education and research related to hydrology, meteorology, glaciology, climate science, water resources, weather forecasting, and hydro-meteorological studies.

The department offers MSc and PhD programs in Meteorology and Hydrology and is QAA-accredited by UGC Nepal. Its academic focus is closely connected with Nepal’s needs in agriculture, water resources management, flood forecasting, tourism, aviation, human health, and climate-related study.

Quick Highlights

Institutional Overview

Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology is part of Tribhuvan University’s academic system at Kirtipur Campus. Since 1987, the department has continued graduate and research-level education in meteorology and hydrology through its MSc and PhD programs.

CDHM’s academic identity is shaped by Nepal’s need for trained professionals in atmospheric and hydrospheric sciences. Its teaching and research areas include weather systems, water resources, climate science, hydrological processes, cryospheric studies, hydro-meteorological disasters, numerical modeling, and air pollution.

More than 200 students have graduated from CDHM over three decades. Graduates have worked in the National Hydrological Meteorological Agency, academia, private consultancies, NGOs, and INGOs, with some holding senior positions in their institutions.

Academic Background

CDHM was established in 1987 under the Institute of Science and Technology at Tribhuvan University’s Kirtipur Campus. A related academic base in the field started earlier when BSc in Meteorology began at Trichandra Campus under TU in 1973.

The department has offered MSc and PhD programs in Meteorology and Hydrology for more than three decades. Its academic work combines theoretical learning, laboratory-based study, fieldwork techniques, and research activities.

The department aims to produce skilled manpower and conduct scientific research in Meteorology, Hydrology, Glaciology, and Climate Science. Its curriculum covers hydrology, water resources, weather forecast, cryospheric process, climate change, hydro-meteorological disasters, numerical modeling, air pollution, and related areas.

QAA Accreditation

CDHM is QAA-accredited by UGC Nepal. This accreditation is an important institutional marker for the department within Nepal’s higher education quality assurance system.

Relevance of Hydrology and Meteorology in Nepal

Meteorological and hydrological knowledge has direct value for Nepal because of the country’s agricultural, water resource, climatic, and geographical conditions. Weather forecasting supports agricultural operations by helping with near-term planning and decision-making.

Hydrology and meteorology are also important for water resource projects and flood forecasting. Weather and climate anomalies affect human health, tourism, aviation, and other sectors, with climate change adding further pressure to these areas.

The study of hydrology and meteorology supports national needs in planning, disaster risk understanding, water-related research, and socio-economic development. CDHM’s academic programs address these areas through classroom learning, laboratory work, field-based techniques, and research.

Vision

CDHM’s vision is to be a preeminent institution in the country and region for research, education, and outreach in hydrospheric and atmospheric science.

Mission

The department’s mission focuses on student training, research development, public awareness, and institutional capacity in atmospheric and hydrospheric sciences.

Its mission includes recruiting and training students with strong academic and leadership potential, producing competent human resources, developing CDHM as a national and regional educational and research hub, exploring resource-generating potential for self-sustainability, and building public awareness through outreach programs.

Core Values

CDHM’s core values include:

• Scientific integrity

• Dedication to teaching, research, and service

• Innovation in academics and research

• Collaboration and collegiality

Objectives

CDHM’s objectives focus on scientific manpower development, advanced subject knowledge, research capacity, and water-related collaboration.

The department aims to meet the scientific need for skilled manpower in hydrology and meteorology in the current geographical context. It also aims to provide students with advanced knowledge according to recent trends and developments in the subject.

CDHM supports students in research within their areas of specialization using departmental facilities. It also works on research activities and capacity building with partners in water and water-related sectors.

The department also aims to form a water consortium through partnerships and collaboration with academic institutions, local enterprises, government, and NGOs. Another objective is to build educational programs, conduct research, and develop solutions for global water-related problems.

Goals

CDHM’s goals include strengthening meteorology, atmospheric science, hydrospheric science, and climate science education. The department aims to increase graduate and PhD students to at least 40 students per year.

The department also has goals related to the Center for Weather and Climate Risk, data assimilation and uncertainty quantification, ensemble forecasting and predictability, and partnerships with operational centers.

Another goal is to strengthen HKH Hydrospheric and Atmospheric Science while adding academic value to the college and university and attracting qualified students.

Academic Programs

CDHM offers MSc and PhD programs in Meteorology and Hydrology under Tribhuvan University. These programs are designed around academic knowledge, laboratory learning, field techniques, and research.

The department’s curriculum includes weather forecasting, hydrology, water resources, cryospheric process, climate change, hydro-meteorological disasters, numerical modeling, and air pollution. The courses support subject knowledge and practical skills for academic, government, private, NGO, and INGO-related work.

MSc in Meteorology

The MSc in Meteorology at CDHM is affiliated with Tribhuvan University. The program focuses on meteorological processes and their applications, combining theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and research capacity.

The program includes subjects such as atmospheric dynamics, weather forecasting, climate science, atmospheric physics, remote sensing, and numerical modeling. Students study through classroom learning, laboratory work, and fieldwork.

The MSc program is connected with weather forecasting, climate change analysis, environmental monitoring, disaster management, and research institutions.

PhD in Hydrology and Meteorology

The PhD in Hydrology and Meteorology at CDHM is affiliated with Tribhuvan University. It is a research-oriented program focused on advanced concepts and methodologies in hydrology and meteorology.

The program supports research in water resources, atmospheric processes, climate dynamics, and their interconnections. PhD candidates conduct independent and original research under faculty guidance.

Research areas include hydrological modeling, water resource management, climate change impact assessment, and meteorological phenomena analysis. The program prepares graduates for roles in academia, research institutions, governmental organizations, and international agencies.

MSc Syllabus Overview

The MSc syllabus covers theoretical, practical, field-based, research, and elective components across four semesters.

First Semester

Theory subjects include:

• Synoptic Meteorology

• Physical Climatology

• Dynamical Meteorology

• Cloud Physics and Atmospheric Electricity

• General Hydrology

• Snow Hydrology

Practical component:

• Computer Skills, including Programming, Grads, Surfer, MATLAB, GIS, and RAOB

Second Semester

Theory subjects include:

• Satellite and Radar Meteorology

• Dynamical Modeling and Forecasting

• Micrometeorology

• Glaciology

• Statistical Hydrology

• Hydrometry

• Hydro-meteorological Disasters

Practical component:

• Meteorology, Climatology, and Hydrology

Third Semester

Theory subjects include:

• Atmospheric Chemistry

• Climate Modeling and Climate Change

• Dendro-Climatology

• Isotope Study

• Hydrological Modeling

• Research Methodology

• Case Study and Class Presentation

Elective courses include any one of the following:

• Water Resources

• Environmental Aspect of Hydrometeorology

• Agricultural Meteorology

• Monsoon Meteorology

• Mountain Hydro-Meteorology

Practical component:

• Case Study and Class Presentation

Fourth Semester

Academic components include:

• Internship

• Field Work

• Term Papers and Proposal Defense

• Thesis

Practical component:

• Elective

Admission Criteria and Eligibility

Students with a Bachelor’s Degree in Meteorology, Engineering, Environmental Science, Forestry, Agriculture, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, or an equivalent degree recognized by Tribhuvan University are eligible to apply for admission.

Each batch has 29 fixed seats. Among them, 24 seats are reserved for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in Meteorology, and 5 seats are reserved for candidates from other streams.

Each applicant must appear in and pass the entrance examination conducted by the Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Institute of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University.

Candidates with bachelor’s degrees in other streams must take a basic Hydrology and Meteorology bridge course.

Academic and Research Areas

CDHM’s academic and research areas cover atmospheric and hydrospheric sciences with direct links to Nepal’s climate, water, and environmental conditions. The curriculum includes both foundational and applied topics.

Key academic areas include:

• Hydrology

• Meteorology

• Water resources

• Weather forecast

• Cryospheric process

• Climate change

• Hydro-meteorological disasters

• Numerical modeling

• Air pollution

• Glaciology

• Climate science

These areas support learning in both classroom and field settings. The department’s academic approach combines theory, laboratory-based study, fieldwork techniques, and research practice.

Graduate Pathways

Graduates of CDHM have worked in the National Hydrological Meteorological Agency, academia, private consultancies, NGOs, and INGOs. Some alumni hold senior positions in their institutions.

The department’s academic focus supports pathways related to meteorology, hydrology, climate science, water resources, disaster-related studies, environmental monitoring, academic research, and applied scientific work.

Student Learning Approach

CDHM’s courses include theoretical instruction, laboratory-based learning, fieldwork techniques, and research-oriented academic work. This structure supports subject knowledge as well as practical competence.

Students engage with hydrological and meteorological concepts through lectures, practical learning, field activities, case study work, internships, proposal defense, term papers, and thesis work.

The academic structure is relevant for students preparing for work in weather, water, climate, hazard, and research-related fields.

Why Study Hydrology and Meteorology at CDHM?

CDHM is suited to students interested in atmospheric science, hydrology, climate science, glaciology, water resources, weather forecasting, and hydro-meteorological disaster studies.

The department’s academic setting connects scientific study with Nepal’s development needs in agriculture, water resource management, flood forecasting, aviation, tourism, human health, and climate-related concerns.

Its curriculum includes both theoretical and applied areas, giving students exposure to subject knowledge, laboratory learning, field techniques, and research work.