Graduate and Post-graduate (PG) in Forestry

Graduate and Post-graduate (PG) in Forestry

Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) is the first technical university of Nepal that was established in 2010 by upgrading and merging the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) at Rampur, Chitwan and Institute of Forestry at Hetauda, Makawanpur. Post-graduate (PG) academic programs of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in different disciplines of forestry science was started in Hetauda from 2013.

M. Sc. Program

M.Sc. Forestry

Applicant must have B. Sc. Forestry or equivalent degree.

Minimum 16 years (10+2+4) of education.

M. Sc. Forestry (Biodiversity) / M. Sc. Forestry (Environmental Science)

Applicant with a B. Sc. Forestry or B. Sc. Environmental Science or M. Sc Botany or M. Sc Zoology or B. Sc. Ag. or equivalent degree.

Minimum 16 years (10+2+4) of education.

The M.Sc. program is of four semesters, each of six months duration with final examination at the end of each semester. The Faculty enrolls 40 students in the first semester. Students with B.Sc. Forestry or equivalent degrees with minimum 16 years (10+2+4) of education from recognized universities can apply for admission, which is based on entrance examination (100%). The Faculty has already produced about 00000 M.Sc. forestry graduates. The two-year M.Sc. course encompasses both coursework and research. Every student has to write thesis in the final semester.

Course Outline:

M.Sc. Forestry includes both coursework and research (in the form of term papers, special studies, and thesis). The first and second semesters involve mainly coursework (both theory and practical), basic field work, and review type term paper presentation. The third semester involves a component of statistical analysis and research methodology, computer programming, and dissertation proposal writing and the preliminary research (3) preparation in addition to the special coursework (both theory, and lab and field work). The fourth semester is entirely devoted to thesis work. In the fourth semester, students will have the opportunity to contribute to existing fields of research. The complete course accounts for 45 credit hours.

Semester I(Credit hrs.12)

The courses include:

• Advance Silviculture,
• Sustainable Forest Management,
• Wild Life and Protected Area Management,
• Advance Wood and Non-wood Utilization,
• Advance Watershed Management, and
• Advance Natural Resource Economics
• In addition, a topic on Term paper and Seminar is offered to each student to review literatures in respective subject.

Semester II(Credit hrs 16):
The courses include:

• Community Based Forest Management and Governance,
• World Forestry System,
• Climate Change and Impacts on Natural Resources,
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Agroforestry Systems and Management
• Renewable Energy Resources and Bio-Energy
• Forest Policy, Laws and International Conventions
• Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration
• In addition, a topic on Term paper and Seminar is offered to each student to review literatures in respective subject.

Semester III(Credit hrs 11, Theory + Practical)
Three categories of courses are offered in this semester: compulsory, and special papers. The compulsory course include

• BHS Statistical Analysis and Research Methodology, and
• Research and Thesis (mandatory for each student).

There are three species papers each 3 credit hours. Students have the choice of selecting any two of the special paper out of three:

1. Computer Programming (c++) ;
2. GIS Application in Natural Resources; and
3. Special Study.

Semester IV(Credit hrs 15):
The courses include:

· Research and Thesis, and

• Seminar

PhD Program*:

Degree by Course and Research

An applicant must have M.Sc. degree of Forestry or related subject in first division (percentage basis) or with CGPA 3.25/4.0 (CGPA basis) in the related/relevant field. However, prerequisite courses may be required for eligibility based on M.Sc. degree obtained.

The candidate must have published at least one research article in the referred journal as a first author.

The candidate must have graduated from an institution where undergraduate and postgraduate teaching medium is English. However, in special cases standard language proficiency scores (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE) can be considered and reviewed by the committee.

The applicant must submit confidential letters of recommendation from two referees who would be in a position to judge academic and research capabilities of the candidate to undertake the PhD study successfully. At least one of the letters must be from a university professor of the relevant subject.

The applicant must submit an acceptable research proposal for PhD dissertation.

Applicant must have assured research fund.

Degree by Research

An applicant must have a minimum of 5 years of working experience in academic, research or development after M. Sc. degree passed with second division (percentage basis) or CGPA 2.5/4.0 (CGPA basis) in the related/relevant field. However, prerequisite courses may be required for eligibility based on M. Sc. degree obtained.

The candidate having first division (division basis) or CGPA 3.25/4.0 (CGPA basis) must have published at least two research articles. The candidate with second division or less than 3.25/4.0 CGPA must have published at least three research articles in the referred journal as a first author.

The candidate must have graduated from an institution where undergraduate and postgraduate language of instruction and written examinations are in English. However, in special cases standard language proficiency scores (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE) can be considered and reviewed by the committee.

The applicant must submit confidential letters of recommendation from two referees who would be in a position to judge academic and research capabilities of the candidate. At least one of the letters must be from academic mentor or a university professor of the relevant subject.

The applicant must submit an acceptable concept research proposal for PhD dissertation and must have assured research fund.