MSc Environmental Science

Two-year, four-semester MSc Environmental Science under Tribhuvan University focused on scientific, technical, and policy dimensions of environmental issues, preparing graduates for conservation, research, policy, and environmental management roles.

Program delivers interdisciplinary training in ecology, earth systems, pollution and monitoring, conservation and management, impact assessment, energy–environment linkages, environmental economics, law and policy, modeling, remote sensing, and GIS. Emphasis is on understanding environmental processes, human–environment interactions, and tools for mitigation, planning, and sustainable development. Students combine compulsory core courses with thematic electives, plus fieldwork, community work, internship, and a dissertation.

Curricular structure

First Semester (Compulsory)

Second Semester (Compulsory)

Second Semester (Elective – ANY ONE)

Third Semester (Compulsory)

Third Semester (Group A Elective – ANY ONE)

Third Semester (Group B Elective – ANY ONE)

Fourth Semester (Compulsory)

Total credits: 64 over four semesters.

Features

• Two-year, four-semester, credit-based program
• Strong natural science core plus policy, law, and economics
• Multiple elective pathways (mountain, wildlife, freshwater, sustainable development, DRM, climate, urban environment, etc.)
• Integrated practicals, case studies, fieldwork, community work, and internship
• Dissertation in final semester with substantial research component
• Entrance via TU IOST MSc entrance exam

Eligibility

• B.Sc. with major in Environmental Science in second division (or equivalent) from TU or a TU-recognized university
• Other B.Sc. backgrounds as approved by TU-IOST Faculty Board (per current regulations)

Admission criteria

• Mandatory MSc Entrance Exam (TU IOST / department or campus) – 2 hours
• Minimum entrance pass mark: 35%
• Merit-based admission using:
  • 20% – Bachelor’s (B.Sc.) marks
  • 80% – Entrance exam score
• In TU central and constituent campuses:
  • 80% seats – open competition
  • 20% seats – reserved (inclusive) category, with SLC and campus-type conditions as specified
• Vacant reserved seats are filled from open merit list

Fee

• Approx. total: NRs. 84,200 for full course at central department pattern
  • First year: NRs. 42,100
  • Second year: NRs. 42,100
• Scholarships for 4 students based on first-year academic merit (central department scheme)

Job prospects

• Environmental Officer / Environmental Inspector (ministries, departments)
• Consultancy in IEE, EIA, environmental and compliance monitoring (roads, hydropower, irrigation, hospitals, river conservation, infrastructure)
• Environmental Monitoring Officer (air, water, noise; lab and field roles)
• Conservation and natural resource management (conservation officer, wildlife expert, resource manager)
• Climate change and global-environment roles (climate change officer, CDM and related projects)
• Teaching at school, +2, and higher levels (with additional requirements as applicable)
• Laboratory expert in environmental measurement and analysis
• Positions in zoos, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, security forces (environment-related roles)
• Roles in national and international agencies: UNEP, UNDP, FAO, WWF, WHO, UNICEF, World Bank, ADB, and others
• Higher study (MS, PhD, direct PhD in some cases), research assistant, and academic research careers