School of Environmental Sciences
A centre of excellence in environmental sciences — generating and disseminating knowledge and skills to enhance sustainable utilisation of natural resources for national and regional development.
🏛️ About the School
Since its inception in the 1991/92 session with just twelve (12) students, Njala University's School of Environmental Sciences has grown into one of the largest and most fully developed interdisciplinary schools of its kind in Sierra Leone. The School offers a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes grounded in scientific rigour, field practice, and community relevance.
🔭 Vision
A centre of excellence in environmental sciences through active generation and dissemination of knowledge and skills so as to enhance sustainable utilization of natural resources for national and regional development.
🎯 Mission
To provide professional training in environmental sciences at all levels and to undertake applied research that links the University to the needs of the nation, region, and international community.
🏗️ Academic Structure
The School is organised into two institutes and two departments, each anchoring a portfolio of undergraduate programmes aligned with industry, government, and community needs.
🏛️ Institutes
Institute of Geography and Development Studies
Focuses on development theory, rural livelihoods, spatial analysis, and sustainable community development. Programmes prepare graduates for roles in government agencies, NGOs, international development organisations, and the private sector.
Institute of Environmental Management and Quality Control
Specialises in environmental health, climate science, disaster management, occupational health, and quality assurance. Graduates serve in environmental consultancy, government regulatory bodies, and international organisations.
🏢 Departments
Department of Land Management and Administration
Combines geography, GIS, agriculture, and land law to address Sierra Leone's critical need for trained land resources professionals. Graduates support sustainable land governance, agricultural development, and environmental management across the public and private sectors.
Department of Survey and Geo-informatics
Builds expertise in surveying, photogrammetry, remote sensing, and GIS to address the significant shortage of geospatial professionals in Sierra Leone and the wider West African region. Graduates work in mapping, spatial data analytics, engineering, and environmental monitoring.
🎓 Undergraduate Programmes
All undergraduate programmes lead to a Bachelor of Science with Honours and are structured over four years (eight semesters), requiring a minimum of 120–126 credit hours for graduation. Teaching is learner-centred, combining lectures, laboratory work, field surveys, GIS sessions, group seminars, and industrial attachments.
Covers environmental systems, monitoring, quality assurance, and sustainability. Students select a specialist track: Environmental Health & Sanitation, Air Quality Management, or Water Quality Management.
View Full Programme →Integrates environmental science, public health, and occupational safety to protect human health in workplaces and communities. Includes laboratory work, site visits, toxicology, and industrial internships.
View Full Programme →Builds skills in risk assessment, hazard management, climate adaptation, and community resilience. Prepares graduates for national and international disaster management organisations and development agencies.
View Full Programme →An interdisciplinary programme drawing on economics, geography, sociology, and environmental studies to address development challenges. Prepares graduates for government, NGOs, and international development agencies.
View Full Programme →Addresses rural development challenges through community-oriented, interdisciplinary study. Graduates work with NGOs, local government, and rural communities across Sierra Leone and West Africa.
View Full Programme →Combines geography, GIS, agriculture, and land administration. Prepares graduates for careers in cadastral mapping, land-use planning, ecosystem management, and land policy formulation.
View Full Programme →Builds expertise in GIS, photogrammetry, remote sensing, and geodetic surveying. Addresses the significant shortage of geospatial professionals in Sierra Leone and the broader West African region.
View Full Programme →📋 Common Features Across All Programmes
- Final Grade: CGPA 60% · Comprehensive Examinations 30% · Dissertation 5% · Field Attachment 5%
- Progression: A minimum Sessional GPA (SGPA) of 3.0 is required to advance from one year to the next.
- Final Year: All programmes include Industrial Attachment, a Research Project/Dissertation, Directed Readings, and Final Comprehensive Examinations.
- Teaching: Learner-centred, incorporating lectures, field projects, GIS labs, group seminars, and simulation exercises.
📚 Postgraduate Programmes
The School offers advanced postgraduate programmes for graduates seeking specialisation, research, and academic careers in environmental and development disciplines.
🔮 Approved Future Programmes
- B.Sc. in Environmental Management and Toxicology
- Technician / Higher Diploma in Environmental Sampling and Monitoring
- Various M.Phil. and PhD programmes
- Multiple Postgraduate Diploma programmes
📝 Admission Requirements
- Provide access to University education for a wider spectrum of candidates
- Ensure appropriate standards in admission to various programmes
- Ensure transparency and fair play in student admission
🏅 Certificate Programme
- Two (2) credit passes in relevant subjects at NCTVA / GCE 'O' Level / WASSCE
📜 Diploma Programme
- Three (3) credit passes in relevant subjects
- Related Certificates with two years experience
🎓 Undergraduate Programme
- Five credits at GCE "O" Level or WASSCE, including English Language, in not more than two (2) sittings
- At least grade 6 in two relevant science subjects
- Additional departmental requirements may apply
🔬 Postgraduate Programme
- First degree in a related subject or field
- For M.Phil.: FGPA of 3.6 points in Masters
- For PhD: FGPA of 4.2 in Masters, or completed M.Phil.
📊 Graduation Requirements & Grading
Credit Requirements
| Programme Level | Credit Range |
|---|---|
| Certificate | 50 – 60 credits |
| Diploma | 80 – 90 credits |
| Higher Diploma | 120 – 130 credits |
| Undergraduate Degree | 120 – 210 credits |
Assessment Structure
| Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment (CA) | 40% |
| Final Written Examination | 60% |
Grading Scale
| Marks (%) | Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|
| 75 and above | A | 5.0 |
| 65 – 74 | B | 4.0 |
| 50 – 64 | C | 3.0 |
| 40 – 49 | D | 2.0 |
| 30 – 39 | E | 1.0 |
| Below 30 | F | 0.0 |
Honours Degree Classification
| Class of Honours | FGPA Range |
|---|---|
| First Class | 4.30 and above |
| Second Class (Upper Division) | 4.00 – 4.29 |
| Second Class (Lower Division) | 3.60 – 3.99 |
| Third Class | 3.00 – 3.59 |
🔬 Research and Partnerships
🧪 Research Initiatives
- Collaboration with IEMQC and the Department of Environmental Health
- Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary research station
- Partnership with Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI)
- Research in organic farming and climate studies
🌍 International Partnerships
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), UK
- Coventry University, United Kingdom
- University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin
- University of Agriculture-Abeokuta, Nigeria
- University of Cape Coast, Ghana
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana