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Department of Ecology & Environmental Studies

The Institute of Ecology and Environmental studies is as an autonomous unit for postgraduate studies and research in Environmental Control and Management in Nigeria. In July, 1982 the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, established the then Institute of Ecology and later renamed Institute of Ecology and Environmental studies in 1994 to reflect the general concern about environmental protection, which has received greater attention in Nigeria and all over the world. The initiative was the first of its kind in Nigeria with the primary aim of tackling ecological problems and sustaining environmental development in the country.

The Institute is multi-disciplinary in nature. The training component, which started in 1995/1996 academic session, involves the programmes leading to the award of Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) and Master of Science degree (M.Sc.) in Environmental Control and management. Recently, the award of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree and Executive Master (MEM) programmes in Environmental Control and management was approved by the University Senate and the programmes actively commenced in Rain Semester, 2008/2009 session. The Executive Master programme is particularly vital because it is aimed at training professionals and executive officers on the jobs as it runs only on weekends and does not require full-time residence in the University. The Institute also offers short-time capacity building services in the form of workshops including the Annual Conference on environment.

The specific objectives of the Institute are to:

  1. carry out integrated studies to evaluate functioning of different ecosystems and their desired land-use systems that exist throughout Nigeria and to suggest the direction in which improvement is required to maintain sustained productivity of these ecosystems.
  2. become a national centre of competence for providing policy options, information and data on renewable natural resources of the country to the Nation’s planners and decision makers (for formulating national economic development plans for Nigeria) and to the Nation’s farmers herdsmen and fishermen through close cooperation with extension agencies.
  3. provide training facilities including those for post-graduate and doctoral studies in various fields of ecology.

NB Please note that the Executive Master in Environmental Control and Management (MEM) is run under the Centre for Distance Learning (CDL) platform.

  1. Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Control & Management

    With increasing urbanization and continuing growth of the industrial, agricultural and mining sectors of the Nigerian economy of Nigeria in particular and African countries in general, it has become important to ensure that Environmental Control and Management, which is a vital component of development, is taught and imbibed by African citizens so that physical development can take place without negative consequence(s) on the environment. Achieving this requires specialized training which rests on applied ecological principles. Hence the introduction of programmes of studies leading to the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Control and Management is considered very timely. The Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Control and Management is of Minimum duration of two semesters, consisting of course work, examination and the writing of a long essay. It is hoped that African countries will avail themselves of the opportunities offered by the programme to train manpower in environmental management and to create awareness on environmental issues among their populace.

    1. Admission Requirements

      An applicant for admission to the Postgraduate Diploma course shall be:

      1. A graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University
      2. graduate of any other approved university or
      3. A person who holds a recognized qualification approved by the University.

      The applicant shall possess a University degree not lower than a third class degree in Environmental, Natural and Medical Sciences, Agriculture, Engineering, Education (Science), and the Social Sciences to be eligible for admission into the programme. Other entry requirements will be in accordance with the regulation of the Postgraduate College of Obafemi Awolowo University.

    2. Course Requirements

      Candidates are expected to take at least 22 units for the Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programme in order to be eligible for the award of the PGD in Environmental Control and Management. These comprise of 14 units of core courses and 8 units of elective courses. The core courses include 10 units of course work, 1 unit of Seminar and 3 units of long essay. The elective courses taken will depend on the candidate’s chosen field of specialization.

  2. Executive Master of Environmental Management (MEM)

    The recent global emphasis on rational use of natural resources has raised the need for increased environmental education and capacity building in the area. Of particular importance is the fact that the impact of various human activities on the environment may remain unnoticed until it becomes a threat to human and animal existence. Like many other nations, Nigeria has taken positive steps to protect her environment and to create awareness among its citizens. These include:

    1. Establishment of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) in 1990 to regulate environmental activities in Nigeria; and now the Ministry of Environment.
    2. Active participation in the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992, and the international conferences, workshops and meetings.
    3. Ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity in August 1994 and
    4. Integration of Environmental Education into the curriculum of Integrated Science at both the Primary and Secondary School levels.

    As laudable as these efforts are, an effective policy or programme for sound environmental management is largely dependent on availability of trained personnel both in the private and public sectors. It was in this regard that the Obafemi Awolowo University established the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies to undertake training and research in Environmental Control and Management. The Institute was established in 1982 and has been designated by UNEP as the regional Coordination Unit for Environmental Education and Training Network (ETNET). In pursuant of the founding objectives and the national as well as international aspiration for sustainable development, the institute in collaboration with the Department of Zoology, Obafemi Awolowo University in 1995 introduced programmes for Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) and M.Sc. degree in Environmental Control and Management. However, it is realised that by scope, many professionals may not have the time required to complete these research programmes. This is why the Institute is introducing a professional Master degree in Environmental Management. This is a non-research oriented degree, designed to equip target groups such as career civil servants, company employees, personnel in government parastatals and NGOs with the requisite knowledge and skills on environmental management for sustainable development. It is hoped that this will further provide postgraduate training opportunity for people who may not be interested in full time research M.Sc. programme and thus increase environmental awareness among the populace.

    Objectives

    The main objective of the professional Master’s degree is the provision of a sound, effective and practical-oriented advanced training in applied ecology and environmental science. The specific Objectives are to:

    1. provide opportunities for practicing environmental managers to acquire management education while they are working
    2. equip students with the techniques and tools of management and thereby improve their competence and ability to perform.
    3. improve the national economic growth and development by promoting manpower development in environmental management.

    The training programme is in furtherance of the role of the Institute to help produce high-level manpower with competence for tackling environmental issues in all their ramifications.

    Admission Requirements

    An applicant for admission to the Master degree programme shall be a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University; or any other approved university; with a honours degree in Natural Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, relevant Social Science disciplines, Education (Science), Technology/Engineering, Medicine or Environmental Design and Management.

    Duration of Programme

    The Masters degree in Environmental Management is for a duration of three semesters (xx contact hours), consisting of course work, examination and writing of a long essay. The programme is designed as a combination of periodic (weekends) contacts and use of electronic materials at O. A. U. Campus.

    Requirements for the Award of Degree

    To fulfill the requirements for the award of the Master in Environmental Management degree (MEM), candidate shall have satisfactorily completed a course of instruction totaling 30 units made up of 12 units of core courses, 6 units of restricted elective courses and 8 units of free elective courses. In addition, candidates must satisfy all other requirements stipulated in the regulations of the postgraduate College.

    Structure of Course Programme

    The programme of study consists of five sets of specialties (Electives) from which a candidate will choose one, based on his or her special area of interest. The elective courses are in the following five optional areas:-

    1. management of municipal, industrial and mining activities;
    2. agricultural and land resources management;
    3. water resources management;
    4. energy and the environment; and
    5. human health and ecology.

  3. Master of Science Degree Programme in Environmental Control & Managment

    With increasing urbanization, industrialization and development of new technologies at various sectors of the economy in most countries of the world, there has been a worldwide concern about the concomitant exploitation and depletion of natural resources, the quality of the environment and many other ecological problems.

    Nigeria and many other African countries are now being gripped by these concerns and it has become crucial to incorporate environmental control and management as a vital component of development in these countries to ensure rational exploitation, ecosystems balance and environmental quality. Achieving this requires sound scientific understanding and specialized training which rest on applied ecological principles. Hence, the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies, has introduced programmes of studies leading to the award of the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Control and Management in pursuant of its founding roles as a national and international centre of excellence in postgraduate training and manpower development.

    The Master of Science degree in Environmental Control and Management is of minimum duration of three semesters, consisting of course work, examination and the writing of a thesis. The programme provides for in-depth specialization in five different environmental science interest areas. It is hoped that African countries will avail themselves of the opportunities offered by the programme to train manpower in environmental management and thus increase environmental awareness among their populace.

    Objective

    The main objective of the Master degree programme is the provision of sound, specialized, effective and practical-oriented advanced training (course work and research) in various areas of applied Ecology and other environmental sciences. The training programmes are in furtherance of the role of the Institute to help produce high level manpower with both academic and professional competence for tackling environmental issues in all their ramifications.

    Admission Requirements

    An applicant for admission to the Master’s degree programme shall be:

    1. a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University; or
    2. a graduate of any other approved university; or
    3. a person who holds a recognized qualification approved by the University;
      1. Applicants shall possess not lower than a Second Class Lower Division Honours degree in the Natural Sciences, Agricultural Science, Social Science, Education (Science) Technology/Engineering, Medicine and Environmental Design and Management.
      2. A holder of the PGD of the Institute or any other related PGD any other related PGD with a minimum weighted average score of 60 B+

    Course Requirements

    Each candidate for the Master degree is expected to complete at least 24 units of course work and 6 units of thesis. The course work consists of 12 units of core courses, 6 units of restricted elective courses and 6 units of free elective courses. The programme of study consists of five sets of specialties (Electives) from which a candidate will choose one based on his or her special area of interest. The elective courses are in the following five optional areas:-

    1. management of municipal, industrial and mining activities;
    2. agricultural and land resources management;
    3. water resources management;
    4. energy and the environment; and
    5. human health and ecology.

    Candidates are also expected to take an undergraduate introductory computer course as a compulsory elective which will not go into computation but which candidates must pass in order to be eligible for the award of the degree.

  4. Doctor of Philosophy Degree Ecology & Environmental Science

    Established in 1982 as the Institute of Ecology; the name was changed to the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies in 1994, with the mandate to provide postgraduate training facilities up to the PhD level, in various fields of Ecology and Environmental science (Senate Minute 46961). Since then, over 70 M.Sc. graduates of diverse nationalities have been produced, and some of these apart from those from other disciplines have expressed interest in pursuing PhD programmes in the Institute.

    It is on record that the Institute was the first institution for ecology and environmental research and training in Nigeria and the West Africa sub region. It preceded even the establishment of the defunct Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) or Federal/State Ministries of Environment, and has played leading roles in the formulation of environmental policies and actions in Nigeria.

    Objectives

    The doctoral programme being proposed is predicated on three major objectives:

    1. To provide avenue for conducting advanced research on ecological and environmental sciences;
    2. To foster collaborative and interdisciplinary research amongst scientists from various disciplines; and
    3. To produce academically sound and competent ecologists and environmentalists for man-power needs of the nation, especially in higher Institutions, Ministries of Environment at State and Federal levels, the State Environmental Protection Agencies and many other stakeholders in the environment.

    Justification

    During the last few decades, ecological and environmental problems have increasingly evoked serious global concerns for sustainable human development. This has been much articulated in the United Nations Document on The Environment and the Millennium Development Goals. Building on our well established Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) and Master of Science (M.Sc.) programmes, a Doctor of Philosophy programme in Ecology and Environmental Science in the University will therefore provide a unique opportunity for advanced training in research skills to our graduates and others. The PhD programme is therefore designed to develop broad-based knowledge, analytical powers, and technical skills required for research and leadership positions in ecology and environmental science activities. Thus the focus on various specialized areas of environmental science and the multidisciplinary approach distinguish the Ph.D. training in Ecology and Environmental Science from conventional disciplinary department.

    Eligibility

    A general requirement for admission is Master’s degree in Environmental Control and Management of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (or an acceptable equivalent from an approved University) or Master of Science (M.Sc) degree with research thesis in Agriculture, Economics, Psychology, Geography, Sociology, Environmental Design and Management, Engineering, Pharmacy and Sciences as well as MPH in Medicine with at least 60% (B+) weighted average in the Masters coursework.

    Minimum Requirements for the Award

    All candidates apart from those who hold M.Sc. Environmental Control and Management or its equivalent must register for and pass all the core courses in the Institute. In addition, each candidate is expected to register for and pass a minimum of 9 units of restricted electives in his/her area of specialization.

    Examinations

    1. Written papers on courses
    2. Qualifying examination
    3. Ph.D thesis and oral examination

    Examinations

    The thesis may be interdisciplinary or may focus on one sub-discipline of ecology or environmental science. Candidates shall select their research projects from any of the following areas of specialization in the Institute:

    1. Human Health and Ecology
    2. Resources Utilization and Management
    3. Environmental Assessment and Space Applications
    4. Biodiversity /Forestry Management
    5. Pollution and Eco-Toxicology
    6. Other areas as may be approved by the Senate.