Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management (4 yr)

The BSc in Environmental Management (EM) programme aims to provide theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the field of environmental management that every individual, including policy makers and planners, will need in order to help create and maintain sustainable societies in Bhutan and beyond. Some of the critical issues policy makers and planners and also concerned citizens, in general, are required to address include: the management of scarce natural resources, pollution and waste management, climate change, and population growth. These aspects constitute the core subject matters of the present programme. While the hardcore environmental discipline inclines more toward scientific investigation, this programme takes a holistic approach including socio-political approach to address environmental issues. In this way, this programme stands slightly different from the environmental programmes offered in other university colleges in the country.

EM students will gain a core foundation in natural sciences and social sciences disciplines approach to environmental issues and work individually or collectively towards the conservation of natural resources, protection of habitats, and solutions to current problems in the field of environmental management. The programme will instill in students the notion that integrative and interdisciplinary approaches are vital for environmental management and sustainable socio-economic development. It will also provide the necessary knowledge and skills to address the current environmental challenges in their individual capacity irrespective of their positions.

The programme graduates will be able to conduct and coordinate cross-disciplinary communication to integrate ideas from various fields of study engaging multiple stakeholders. As environmental managers are at the centre of global efforts to minimise human impacts on the environment and use resources sustainably, the programme graduates will be exposed to various initiatives and strategies including policy measures taken at different levels by different institutions, organisations, and nations. They will be able to internalise environmental values and participate actively as concerned citizens in the building of sustainable societies.

Learning Outcomes of the Programme

Subject-Specific Skills

Discuss the fundamental concepts of environmental management, principles, and theories.
Explain the relevance of the discipline in the contemporary discourse of environmental issues.
Develop strong analytical skills needed to identify problems, develop a program to address the problem, and communicate the results scientifically.
Analyse climate-change related issues such as their causes, impacts, mitigation, and adaptation of climate change tools and technologies.
Develop a broad interdisciplinary framework for approaching complex environmental issues facing our world at multiple scales.

Critical Thinking Skills

Think beyond common conventional scientific frameworks for understanding environmental crises and consider alternative ethical, social, and cultural perspectives to address these issues.
Propose, design, and conduct relevant research projects in natural settings.
Effectively communicate well-reasoned positions on environmental and other issues.
Critically analyse the nexus between the development process and environmental degradation.
Solve problems using critical and analytical thinking skills.

Application Skills

Conduct basic field studies in natural settings.
Apply the tools and recognize the capabilities of GIS applications for environmental management.
Evaluate the means by which impacts of climate change on human well-being and the natural world can be reduced.
Evaluate the underlying environmental policy frameworks and implementation in Bhutan.
Perform impact assessment studies for new developmental activities.
Explore strategies implemented worldwide to manage pollution and issues related to the anthropogenic greenhouse effect, climate change, and global warming.
Practice conservation activities appropriate to different settings (e.g., with forests and wildlife).

Transferable Skills

Become reflective, independent, and life-long learners.
Demonstrate effective time management and personal goal setting.
Work collaboratively and effectively within a team.
Undertake self-evaluation and preparation for employment.
Use ICT thoughtfully and effectively.
Adapt to, assimilate, and use new information and tools as part of a continuous learning process.

Curriculum Structure

All modules shown are 12-credit modules except UGR304 Undergraduate Research Project worth 24 credits

Yr	Sem	Modules
1	I	ENV101 Introduction to the Environment	ECL101 Principles of Ecology	ENV102 Population, Development, and Environment	IPS101 IT and Basic Problem Solving	EAP101 Intermediate English for Academic Purposes
1	II	CLM101 Climate Change	STS101 Introduction to Statistics	ENM101 Energy Resources Management	AFD102 Biological Anthropology	EAP102 Upper-Intermediate English for Academic Purposes
2	III	BDC201 Fundamentals of Biodiversity	ETH201 Environmental Ethics	ENM202 Water Resources Management	GSE101 Analytical Skills	DZG101 Dzongkha Communication
2	IV	BDC202 Biodiversity Conservation and Management	ENM203 Soil Conservation for Sustainable Agriculture	BDC303 Introduction to Plant Taxonomy	GIS201 Fundamentals of Geographic Information Sciences	CET101 Introductory Microeconomics
3	V	BDC304 Forest Management	ENM204 Watershed Management	ENM305 Ecotourism	GIS302 Spatial Analysis in Geographic Information Sciences	AEC201 Environmental Economics
3	VI	ENM306 Urban Environmental Management	Elective: BES301 Bhutanese Society, Culture and Economy / LAN202 Basic Journalism	UGR301 Research Methodology	ENM307 Environmental Pollution Management	DEV201 Development Problems & Policies
4	VII	ENM408 Waste Management	ENM409 Environmental Impact Assessment	ENM410 Environmental Conflict Management	Elective: ENV403 Environmental Humanities / ENV404 Cultural and Human Geography	UGR304 Undergraduate Research Project
4	VIII	ENM411 Natural Hazards and Disaster Management	ENM412 Frontiers in Sustainable Development	ENM413 Environmental Management Systems and Auditing	ECL402 Restoration Ecology

Classification/breakdown of the curriculum into broad component categories

Category	Modules	% of curriculum
Core environment subject modules	ENV101, ECL101, ENV102, CLM101, ENM101, BDC201, ENM202, ETH201, BDC202, ENM203, BDC203, BDC304, ENM204, ENM305, AEC201, ENM306, ENM307, ENV403-ENV404, ENM408, ENM409, ENM410, ENM411, ECL402, ENM412, ENM413	25/40 = 62.5
Technical and research skills development related to the environment	STS101, GIS201, GIS302, UGR201, UGR304 (x2)	6/40 = 15.00
Core competencies	EAP101, EAP102, IPS101, DZG101, and GSE101	5/40 = 12.50
Breadth Subjects	AFD102, CET101, DEV201, BES301-LAN202	4/40 = 10
Total		100%