About the Department

The Department of Earth Sciences (ES) began in July 2022 after the transformation from the Department of Natural Sciences. It is situated in the College of Science and Technical Education (CoSTE) at Mbeya University of Science and Technology Main Campus 10 km outside Mbeya city center and about 3 Km from the Mbeya – Tunduma Highway. The road to CoSTE branches from the highway at the Iyunga – TAZARA area.

 Academic programmes

The Department of Earth Sciences provide fundamental understanding on the functioning of our planed and are essential to identifying long-term solutions to many issues related to natural resources, natural disaster/hazards, energy and the environmental that the societies are facing. The department plays a crucial role in transferring knowledge and practical skills our students in solving problems and establishing policies for resource management, environmental protection, public health, safety, and welfare as well as the community through outreach activities, applied research and consultancy.

The Department of Earth Sciences offers both short and long courses and is involved in outreach programmes in natural resource conservation, environmental science and biodiversity conservation.

Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Conservation

A three years programme that is designed to train competent and reliable conservators who are well equipped with diverse job skills to meet the demand in resource management, research and technology transfer.

Entry qualifications/requirements

Entry 1: Form six holders

Two principal passes of at least “D” grade at Advanced Level in Biology, and Chemistry/Geography/Agriculture/Nutrition; In addition, an applicant must have minimum pass of D grade in Biology and Chemistry/Geography/Agriculture and Nutrition at O-Level.

Skills

1. Ability to educate all sectors of the local community on nature conservation work;
2. Ability to develop and implement policies geared towards sustainable development including environmental impact assessments;
3. Create awareness on nature conservation to local communities i.e. schools, villages, NGOs, Faith based organizations etc through workshops, seminars, media, talks, conferences;
4. Evaluate and monitor features of nature conservation;
5. Ability to prepare conservation reports, management plans, publicity materials and displays;
6. Carry out field work i.e. species survey, wildlife assessment, ecological surveys and scientific observation etc;
7. Carry out law enforcement measures and enquiries from the public and
8. Ability to provide advice to clients, community groups, planners, employers on natural resources.

 Career/employment opportunities

1. Self-employed individuals through entrepreneurship skills related to application of managing natural resource initiatives;
2. Academic institutions such as Secondary schools, Colleges and Universities
3. Government institutions, non-governmental organization, community based organizations, faith based organizations etc;
4. Research organizations, mining industries;

 Master of Science in Biodiversity conservation

A three years programme that is designed to train competent and reliable conservator who have a critical understanding of biodiversity and the socio-economic, political, cultural and institutional settings within which management and policy decisions are made in research and educational sectors.

 Programme Objectives

1. To train and produce sufficient and quality conservationists with mastery of global ecosystems of various animals and plants.
2. Establish a sound foundation of scientific principles applied in the field of biodiversity conservation

• Create awareness and the need for being creative, innovative and self-reliant in tackling environmental problems relating to all living things.

Entry qualifications/requirement

1. General Minimum Entry Requirements for Admission

The entry requirements for the candidates applying for Master of Science in Biodiversity Conservation should possess any Bachelor Degree in Biological Sciences with a GPA of not less than 2.7

OR

Holders of Postgraduate Diploma in Biological Sciences with an average of B or GPA not less than 2.7 Two principal passes of at least “D” grade at Advanced Level in Biology or Chemistry and must have a Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) with a pass in Chemistry or Biology and any other two-science subjects.

1. Programme Specific Entry Requirements for Admission

The entry requirements for the candidates applying for Master of Science in Biodiversity Conservation should possess any Bachelor Degree in Biological Sciences with experiences in Wildlife Management, Forestry, Animal Science, Agriculture General, Zoology, Botany, Biology, Wildlife Science and Conservation, Ecology, Range Management, Environmental sciences, Aquatic sciences and other related.

OR

Holders of Postgraduate Diploma in Biological Sciences with experiences in Wildlife Management, Forestry, Animal Science, Agriculture General, Zoology, Botany, Biology, Wildlife Science 44 and Conservation, Ecology, Range Management, Environmental sciences, Aquatic sciences, and other related

 Skills

1. Ability to provide technical advice and assistance on conducting analyses of wildlife, fisheries, and biodiversity programs;
2. Formulate policies and strategies, and design, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating biodiversity conservation and natural resources management projects;
3. Ability to work with the environmental community (villages, districts, regions, non-governmental organizations, universities, research institutions, private enterprises, and international development agencies) to keep current with the latest technical and policy developments, mobilize support when required, and promote cooperation for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use and management of natural resources;
4. Ability to carry out inquiries on biodiversity conservation, wildlife, sustainable forestry, and related topics;