MSc in Biodiversity and Environmental Management

M.Sc. in Biodiversity and Environmental Management (BEM) – Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu

M.Sc. in Biodiversity and Environmental Management (BEM) at the Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University (CDBTU), is a two-year, four-semester postgraduate programme that links biodiversity science with environmental management. The course runs at Kirtipur Campus under the Institute of Science and Technology (IOST), Tribhuvan University.

The programme started in 2008 as a regional degree with financial support from Norway under the NOMA programme and academic collaboration with Kunming Institute of Botany (China), Kumaun University, and Jawaharlal Nehru University (India). Since 2014, the Central Department of Botany has continued the programme with revised course structure and its own financial resources.

If you are interested in biodiversity conservation, ecosystems, and environmental management, this course helps you build knowledge and skills rooted in Nepal’s landscapes, while also keeping regional and global perspectives in view.

Highlights

• Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Biodiversity and Environmental Management (BEM)

• Duration: 2 years, 4 semesters under the semester system

• Total credits and marks: 60 credit hours, 1500 total marks

• Academic unit: Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur

• Structure: Course work, field work, research training, and dissertation

• Focus areas: Biodiversity, ecology, conservation, natural resource management, environmental assessment, and data analysis

The programme combines conceptual courses in the early semesters with applied tools, research planning, and dissertation work in the final phase.

Curriculum Details

According to the official course outline, M.Sc. BEM includes both coursework and research in the form of a thesis. The first three semesters focus mainly on core theory, practicals, and basic field work. The fourth semester focuses on dissertation and methods of biological data analysis.

Total course: 60 credits (1500 marks) distributed as:

• Semester I – 17 credits

• Semester II – 17 credits

• Semester III – 14 credits

• Semester IV – 12 credits

Semester I – Conceptual Foundation (17 credits)

Courses listed for the first semester are:

• Diversity and Evolution of Living Organisms

• Population, Community and Ecosystem Ecology

• Biodiversity and Biogeography

• Mountain Ecology

• Term Paper / Seminar I

Students start with the building blocks of biodiversity, population and community ecology, and the geography of species and ecosystems. Mountain ecology gives a direct link to Nepal’s mountain landscapes, which helps you connect theory with the country’s terrain.

Semester II – Conservation and Environmental Management (17 credits)

Second semester courses include:

• Conservation Biology

• Natural Resource Management

• Environmental Change and Management

• Remote Sensing and GIS

• Term Paper / Seminar II

You work with topics such as protected areas, species conservation, community-based resource use, climate and land-use change, and geospatial tools. These subjects are relevant if you plan to work in forest, environment, or conservation-related organisations.

Semester III – Applied and Methodological Focus (14 credits)

Third semester courses include:

• Agro-ecology

• Environmental Biotechnology

• Environmental Assessment and Monitoring

• Microbes and Soil Health

• Research Design and Dissertation Planning

This semester brings you closer to applied work. You are introduced to environmental assessment and monitoring, which links directly to environmental impact assessment (EIA), audits, and project monitoring. The research design and dissertation planning course prepares you for independent research in the final semester.

Semester IV – Data Analysis and Dissertation (12 credits)

Fourth semester courses include:

• Methods of Biological Data Analysis

• Dissertation

You carry out an independent research project under supervision. The data analysis course supports you in handling field and laboratory data, selecting appropriate statistical tools, and presenting results.

Field Excursions

The official outline mentions at least one field excursion for first and second semesters, covering different ecological regions of Nepal. Field excursions are used for learning field methods, studying environmental conditions and conservation efforts in natural settings, and preparing excursion reports that are evaluated during practical examinations.

Objectives

Key objectives of M.Sc. in Biodiversity and Environmental Management at CDBTU include:

• Building strong understanding of biodiversity at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels, with special focus on Nepal and the Himalayan region

• Developing knowledge of ecological processes, environmental change, and resource management

• Training students to carry out independent research on biodiversity and environmental issues

• Preparing human resources who can contribute to conservation, planning, and policy in government agencies, NGOs, INGOs, and academic institutions

These objectives respond to the growing demand for professionals who can link field-based evidence with environment-related decisions.

Scope

The scope of BEM reflects both national and regional needs. Graduates have opportunities in:

• Government departments dealing with forests, environment, protected areas, climate change, and natural resources

• Research organisations and universities involved in biodiversity assessment, ecosystem studies, and environmental monitoring

• NGOs and INGOs working in conservation, community forestry, watershed management, and climate adaptation

• Environmental consultancy firms dealing with EIA, strategic environmental assessment, and ecological monitoring

The course content also matches the skills expected in regional collaboration programmes in biodiversity and environmental management across South Asia and neighbouring regions.

Learning Outcomes

After completing M.Sc. BEM at CDBTU, students are expected to:

• Understand patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem function in mountain and other ecological regions

• Use ecological and biogeographical concepts to interpret species distributions and community patterns

• Apply conservation biology principles in the context of protected areas, threatened species, and community-based management

• Work with tools such as GIS, remote sensing, and environmental monitoring methods

• Plan and implement independent research, from proposal to dissertation, including data analysis and reporting

These outcomes serve students who plan to work in technical, research, or policy roles.

Skill Development Modules

Across four semesters, the course supports development of several skill sets:

• Field skills: biodiversity surveys, vegetation sampling, habitat assessment, and preparation of field reports

• Analytical skills: use of methods for biological data analysis in the final semester, supported by earlier training in research design

• Technical tools: handling GIS and remote sensing software for mapping and spatial analysis

• Laboratory skills: basic environmental biotechnology, soil and microbial analysis related to ecosystem health

• Communication skills: preparation of term papers, seminars, and a full research dissertation

If you are worried about research writing and data analysis, the structured sequence from research design to data analysis and thesis submission provides a clear path.

Teaching Methodology

Teaching and learning activities in BEM at CDBTU combine:

• Classroom lectures and discussions

• Laboratory practicals connected to core subjects

• Field excursions and site-based exercises in different ecological regions

• Term papers and seminar presentations in the first and second semesters

• Research planning, supervision meetings, and dissertation work in the final phase

This mix helps you see how theories of biodiversity and environmental management play out in forests, farmlands, rivers, and urban settings of Nepal.

Admission Requirements

The official BEM programme page states that applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences such as botany, zoology, microbiology, biotechnology, environmental science, forestry, agriculture, natural resource management, or similar fields from a recognised university.

Key points for admission:

• Minimum qualification: bachelor’s degree in the listed biological or environmental disciplines

• Entrance examination: admission based on the entrance system under IOST, Tribhuvan University (entrance model questions and notices are published through CDBTU and IOST)

• Final selection: merit-based list prepared from entrance performance and academic criteria as per current IOST rules

Prospective students should follow recent admission notices from the Central Department of Botany and the Dean’s Office, IOST, for exact eligibility conditions, application deadlines, and fee information.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of M.Sc. in Biodiversity and Environmental Management from CDBTU can work as:

• Biodiversity officers, ecologists, or environmental officers in government agencies

• Researchers in universities, environment-related research centres, or botanical institutions

• Staff in NGOs and INGOs focusing on conservation, climate adaptation, watershed and landscape management

• Environmental consultants in firms that handle impact assessment, ecological surveys, and monitoring

• Educators in colleges and training institutes where biodiversity and environmental management are taught (Collegenp)

Your dissertation and field experience can also support further study at PhD level in Nepal or abroad.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

While the original NOMA-funded regional phase of the programme has ended, the department and university continue to run the course with internal support.

Students seeking financial assistance can:

• Explore scholarship and assistantship schemes under Tribhuvan University and IOST

• Look for support linked to research projects hosted at the Central Department of Botany

• Check external funding calls from national or international agencies working on biodiversity, environment, or climate issues

You should contact the departmental office and follow official notices for the latest information on available support and application steps.

Why Choose M.Sc. in Biodiversity and Environmental Management at CDBTU?

M.Sc. BEM at the Central Department of Botany offers:

• An official, university-run programme focused on biodiversity and environmental management, based in Nepal’s oldest university system

• A curriculum that connects biodiversity science with conservation, resource management, and data analysis

• Exposure to real field settings in different ecological regions of Nepal through excursions and field work

• Access to the research environment of CDBTU, including laboratories, herbarium, botanical garden, and departmental library

For students who want to link plant and ecosystem knowledge with practical environmental work, this course offers a structured and recognised pathway.

Conclusion

M.Sc. in Biodiversity and Environmental Management at the Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, stands as a focused master’s programme that combines biodiversity science, environmental management, and research training. The semester-wise structure, official curriculum, and field-based components help students gain both conceptual and applied understanding of biodiversity and environmental issues in Nepal and beyond.

If you are planning a career in conservation, environmental assessment, research, or policy support, this programme gives a clear academic route grounded in the context of the Himalayas and South Asia.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the duration of M.Sc. BEM at CDBTU?

The programme runs for two years and is divided into four semesters under the IOST semester system.

How many credits does the course carry?

M.Sc. BEM covers 60 credit hours with a total of 1500 marks.

What types of bachelor’s degrees are eligible for admission?

Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in biological or environmental fields such as botany, zoology, microbiology, biotechnology, environmental science, forestry, agriculture, natural resource management, or related disciplines from a recognised university.

Are field excursions compulsory?

The course outline specifies at least one field excursion in the first and second semesters in different ecological regions of Nepal, and students must submit excursion reports as part of their practical evaluation.

What kind of research work is included?

Students plan their research in the third semester through a course on research design and dissertation planning, and carry out full dissertation work with data analysis in the fourth semester under supervision.