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

Graduates of this programme are expected to acquire not only a grounding within the field of environmental management (subject-specific skills) but will also gain competency in the following skill areas: critical thinking skills, application skills, and transferable skills. Specific learning outcomes based on these four different skill sets are the foundation of this programme, along with appropriately aligned teaching, learning, and assessment tools.

Subject-Specific Skills: This skill set refers to knowledge and understanding (KU) of the field of environmental management.

KU1.    Discuss the fundamental concepts of environmental management, principles, and theories.

KU2.    Explain the relevance of the discipline in the contemporary discourse of environmental issues.

KU3.    Develop strong analytical skills needed to identify problems, develop a program to address the problem, and communicate the results scientifically.

KU4.    Analyse climate-change related issues such as their causes, impacts, mitigation, and adaptation of climate change tools and technologies.

KU5.    Develop a broad interdisciplinary framework for approaching complex environmental issues facing our world at multiple scales.

Critical Thinking Skills (CS):

CS1.    Think beyond common conventional scientific frameworks for understanding environmental crises and consider alternative ethical, social, and cultural perspectives to address these issues.

CS2.    Propose, design, and conduct relevant research projects in natural settings.

CS3.    Effectively communicate well-reasoned positions on environmental and other issues.

CS4.    Critically analyse the nexus between the development process and environmental degradation.

CS5.    Solve problems using critical and analytical thinking skills.

Application skills (AS): refers to the ability to use environmental knowledge and practices within the real-world settings.

AS1.    Conduct basic field studies in natural settings.

AS2.    Apply the tools and recognize the capabilities of GIS applications for environmental management.

AS3.    Evaluate the means by which impacts of climate change on human well-being and the natural world can be reduced.

AS4.    Evaluate the underlying environmental policy frameworks and implementation in Bhutan.

AS5.    Perform impact assessment studies for new developmental activities.

AS6.    Explore strategies implemented worldwide to manage pollution and issues related to the anthropogenic greenhouse effect, climate change, and global warming.

AS7.    Practice conservation activities appropriate to different settings (e.g., with forests and wildlife).

Transferable Skills (TS): Transferable skills will be integrated within modules whenever appropriate. Students will have the opportunity to practice and receive feedback on these skills both formally, through the use of assessments, and informally, through on-going interactions with tutors within the scope of everyday classroom activities.

TS1.    Become reflective, independent, and life-long learners.

TS2.    Demonstrate effective time management and personal goal setting.

TS3.    Work collaboratively and effectively within a team.

TS4.    Undertake self-evaluation and preparation for employment.

TS5.    Use ICT thoughtfully and effectively.

TS6.    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

There are two slots for the elective modules in this programme - BES301: Bhutanese Society, Culture and Economy/LAN202: Basic Journalism, and ENV403: Environmental Humanities and ENV404 Cultural and Human Geography.

Classification/breakdown of the curriculum into broad component categories