Bachelors in Environmental Studies
The Bachelors in Environmental Studies (BES) at NAMI, awarded by Kathmandu University, is a four-year undergraduate programme designed with focus on the social, economic, and ecological dimensions of environmental issues.
Through an interdisciplinary curriculum bridging ecological science, socio-economic dynamics, and governance, students gain a holistic understanding of how living and non-living systems interact and develop sustainable solutions.
Key Facts
- Bachelors in Environmental Studies
- Undergraduate Degree
- 4 years | 8 semesters
- New Baneshwor, Kathmandu
- Kathmandu University
- Full Time
- 127
About the course
The Bachelors in Environmental Studies (BES) at NAMI, awarded by Kathmandu University, is a four-year undergraduate programme designed with focus on the social, economic, and ecological dimensions of environmental issues. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum bridging ecological science, socio-economic dynamics, and governance, students gain a holistic understanding of how living and non-living systems interact and develop sustainable solutions.
Understanding Our Environment: Environment is not only the "surrounding" — it is the sum total of all the living and non-living entities affecting each other including humans. Environment is the ultimate resource for all living beings, but with human need and greed, the status of the environment is undergoing degradation, requiring multi-disciplinary intervention.
A Multi-Disciplinary Curriculum: The environment has become the focus of many disciplines and discourses, encompassing biology, physics, chemistry, geography, sociology, economics, management, laws, governance and policies, ethics, and philosophy. Because environmental issues are now part of every career path and employment, holistic multi-disciplinary knowledge is essential.
Practical & Field-Based Learning: At NAMI, environmental education is deeply immersive. Students participate in comprehensive field trips, in-house laboratory projects, GIS and remote sensing analysis, Environmental Impact Assessments (IEE/EIA), community-based learning, and internships at leading NGOs, INGOs, and research organisations.
Course Highlights & Specialisations: BES is an eight-semester (four-year) programme. Featured courses include Green Entrepreneurship, Conservation and Protected Areas, Environmental Pollution, Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) and Practices, Environmental Arts and Design, Nature-Based Solutions and Innovation, Environmental Tourism, and Final Year Projects.
Courses offered
| Code | Title | Credits | Status | Pre-Requisites | Toggle details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEST 101 | Introduction to Environmental Studies | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 102 | Developmental Practices and Environment | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 103 | Ecosystem of the World and Nepal | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| NEPL 151 | Communication Skills (Nepali) | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 111 | Introduction to Economics | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 142 | Environmental In-house Project | 1 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 104 | Environmental Chemistry and the Major Material Cycle | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 105 | Biodiversity and the Living World | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 106 | Culture and Environment | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| ENG 152 | Communication Skills (English) | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 128 | Statistics I | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 141 | Field Trip | 1 | Compulsory | None |
Focus: Understand ecological systems and scientific fundamentals. Modules span Semester I & Semester II (32 credits total), covering introductory environmental studies, development practices, ecosystems of the world and Nepal, chemistry, biodiversity, economics, Nepali/English communication, and in-house projects.
| Code | Title | Credits | Status | Pre-Requisites | Toggle details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEST 201 | Climate and its Dynamics | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 202 | Environmental Physics | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 203 | Natural Resource Management | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 251 | Environmental Statistics | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| CDEV 214 | Sustainable Development: Principles & Practice | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| SOCL 206 | Gender, Ethnicity and Social Inclusion | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 204 | Environmental Pollution Theory & Practical | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 205 | Environmental Geology | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 231 | Environmental and Occupational Health | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 251 | Energy and Environments | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| CDEV 220 | Working with Organisations | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 241 | Field Trip | 1 | Compulsory | None |
Focus: Deepen scientific analysis and resource governance. Modules span Semester I & Semester II (34 credits total), covering climate dynamics, environmental physics, natural resource management, environmental statistics, sustainable development principles, pollution theory, geology, occupational health, and energy.
| Code | Title | Credits | Status | Pre-Requisites | Toggle details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEST 301 | Conservation and Protected Area | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 302 | Indigenous Knowledge and Environment | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 303 | Pollution Control and Management | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| DEVS 305 | Research Methods | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| DEVS 311 | Disaster Management | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| CDEV 311 | Migration, Mobility and Community Development | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 352 | Environmental Arts, Designs and Engineering | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 304 | Land & Food Security | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 345 | Environmental Sociology | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| DEVS 302 | Society and Conflict Resolution | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 351 | Environmental Conventions, Policies and Laws | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 341 | Field Trip | 1 | Compulsory | None |
Focus: Bridge conservation, social systems, and legal frameworks. Modules span Semester I & Semester II (34 credits total), covering protected areas, indigenous knowledge, pollution control, research methods, disaster management, migration & mobility, environmental arts & design, food security, environmental sociology, conflict resolution, and environmental laws.
| Code | Title | Credits | Status | Pre-Requisites | Toggle details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEVS 401 | Urban Planning and Development | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| ENVT 402 | Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| CDEV 401 | Environmental and Social Impact Assessment | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BECO 413 | Environmental Economics | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 443 | Integrated Watershed Management | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 442 | Mass Media and Environmental Issues | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 442 | Internship at NGOs/INGOs/Research Organizations | 3 | Compulsory | None | |
| BEST 499 | Final Year Project | 6 | Compulsory | None |
Focus: Apply professional assessment and research. Modules span Semester I & Semester II (27 credits total), covering urban planning, GIS and remote sensing, EIA/SIA, environmental economics, watershed management, media & environment, institutional internships, and an independent final year project.
Entry Requirements:
All formal admissions decisions and offer letters are issued in direct alignment with the academic quality frameworks of Kathmandu University.
| Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| +2 / NEB (or Equivalent) | Nepali or non-Nepali nationals with 10+2 or equivalent level education of at least 1.60 CGPA or 40% in aggregate. |
| GCE A Level | Passed in minimum three subjects in A Level and one General Paper in AS Level with minimum 40% PUM in aggregate. |
- Admission is open to interested students from all high school streams including Science, Arts, Law, Management, Computer, etc., with the minimum qualification.
- Nepali and non-Nepali nationals are eligible for admission.
Where Can BES Take You?
Environmental issues are now part of every career path and employment. The Bachelors in Environmental Studies equips graduates with holistic, multi-disciplinary expertise to pursue diverse career paths across public, private, research, and non-governmental organisations.
- Environmental Inspector
- Environmentalist
- Environmental Resource Manager
- Ecologist
- Conservationist
- Monitoring and Evaluation Expert (M&E)
- Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Expert
- Sustainable and Climate Finance Expert
- IEE / EIA Expert
- Environmental Educator
- Environmental Analyst
- Environmental Researcher
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Reporter
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