MS by Research in Glaciology

• Research-intensive program focused on Himalayan cryosphere science, including glaciers, snow, permafrost, glacial lakes, and mountain hydrology.
• Two-year MS by Research program under Kathmandu University designed to develop advanced competence in glaciology, climate–glacier interaction, hydrology of glacierized basins, and cryospheric hazard assessment.
• Structure: first semester of coursework (15 credits) followed by three semesters of field-based research and dissertation work (21 credits).
• Field training includes glacier expeditions, data collection (mass balance, meteorology, hydrology), and analysis of long-term cryospheric changes affecting Himalayan ecosystems and water resources.

CURRICULAR STRUCTURE (TABLE)

FEATURES
• First-semester teaching: lectures, seminars, hands-on lab work.
• Three semesters dedicated to field research and dissertation.
• Himalayan field expeditions with real glaciological, meteorological, and hydrological datasets.
• Strong interdisciplinary focus: climate, hydrology, geoscience, environmental modeling.
• Training in mass-balance measurement, glacier monitoring, basin hydrology, and GLOF hazard assessments.
• Emphasis on producing graduates capable of working in high-altitude environments.

FEE (TENTATIVE)
• NPR 420,000 total program fee.

ELIGIBILITY
• 4-year bachelor’s degree in Hydrology, Meteorology, Geosciences, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or Civil Engineering.
• Minimum 2.5 CGPA or ≥50% aggregate.
• Preference given to:
– female candidates
– marginalized groups
– applicants with strong physical fitness
– applicants with high-altitude field experience

ADMISSION CRITERIA
• Screening based on academic eligibility.
• Departmental selection processes (merit evaluation).
• Admission score cut-off: 50 (program-specific criterion).

PROSPECT CAREERS
• Glaciologist in research institutes and universities.
• Cryosphere specialist in government agencies (DoHM, WECS, DHM).
• Climate and hydrology researcher for NGOs/INGOs.
• Hazard and GLOF risk analyst.
• Water resources and basin-management consultant.
• Remote sensing and geospatial analyst for cryosphere studies.
• PhD pathway in climate science, hydrology, or earth systems.