MSc Mountain Environment and Development Studies

Two-year TU Institute of Forestry graduate program designed to develop interdisciplinary specialists capable of understanding, managing, and advancing mountain environments and mountain-based development systems.
Program integrates ecological, social, economic, and institutional dimensions of mountain environments. Structure emphasizes mountain physical systems, climate change, watershed dynamics, governance, rural livelihoods, ecotourism, enterprise development, GIS/remote sensing, and disaster risk management. Field exposure is embedded throughout. Graduates are prepared for roles in mountain development, resource management, policy, research, and project leadership across government, non-government, and international sectors.

Semester I

Semester II

Semester III

Semester IV

Extra Elective Courses

Salient features

• Field-based, practical learning through excursions, field visits, field exercises, case studies, laboratory analysis, and assignments.
• RAC-evaluated thesis with English-medium instruction.
• Internal assessment + practical evaluation + final examination requirement.
• Structured coordination through faculty/visiting faculty course coordinators.
• Interdisciplinary integration of ecological, social, and developmental perspectives

Eligibility

• 4-year bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% aggregate in: B.Sc. Forestry, B.Sc. General Science (Physics/Chemistry/Botany/Zoology/Geology/Meteorology), B.Sc. Agriculture, B.Sc. Environmental Science, B.Sc. Environmental Management, or B.E. Civil/Agricultural/Environmental Engineering from TU or a TU-recognized institution.
• Foreign applicants eligible if prior studies were in English medium.
• Staff seat reserved for permanent IOF staff with required bachelor background.

Admission process

• Submit academic transcript, migration/equivalence (if non-TU), character certificate, citizenship, photographs.
• IOF staff applicants provide No-Objection Certificate.
• Foreign applicants provide financial support affidavit.
• Attend entrance exam: 300 marks (general knowledge, forestry, subject-specific).
• Minimum pass: 40% (120 marks).
• Merit ranking: 80% entrance exam + 20% bachelor marks.
• Foreign applicants selected through bachelor-level results.
• Vacant staff/foreign seats shift to full-fee category.

Job prospects

• Mountain development specialist
• Watershed and climate-resilience planner
• Protected-area and wildlife management officer
• Disaster risk management practitioner
• Ecotourism planner
• Rural development and livelihood specialist
• Resource governance analyst
• Consultant for government, NGOs, INGOs, bilateral/multilateral agencies
• Research roles in mountain and climate-related fields