M.Sc. (Forestry)
Since 2016, we have initiated the M.Sc degree in Forestry in order to maintain the high demands of forestry professionals around the world.
Students will have to take courses in the first three semesters and carry out research and write a thesis in the fourth semester. However, they are required to start planning their thesis work right from the second semester in consultation with the Advisory Committee.
Master Degree Program
A total of 25 + 1 seats are available in M.Sc. Forestry program of study at the IOF-HC. These seats are allocated as follows:
Low tuition fee: 18 seats
High tuition fee: 7 seats
IOF staff seat: 1
Admission procedure
Interested and eligible candidates can apply for admission to the M.Sc. programs by filling out the prescribed application forms and submitting the documents and credentials as mentioned below. Application forms and program brochures are available upon request for Rs. 200.00 (Two Hundred Rupees only) by the Nepalese citizens. Nepalese applicants have to pay an entrance examination fee of Rs. 1500.00 with the application. Foreign nationals have to pay US$ 25.00 at the time of submission of the application. The completed application along with the documents and credentials should reach the Admission Committee in advance.
Required Documents and Credentials
1.Citizenship certificate for Nepalese candidates
2.Academic transcript of B.Sc. degree in respective fields. In case an applicant is a graduate of a university other than Tribhuvan University, he/she has to submit a certificate of migration and a certificate of recognition and equivalence of his/her educational qualification from Curriculum Development Centre, TU.
3.Character Certificate
4.Three recent passport-sized photographs
5.Candidates for the IOF staff seat must submit a no-objection certificate from his/her Campus Chief and must be officially nominated by the IOF.
6.Candidates from other countries must have a financial support confirmation.
Entrance Examination
Nepalese applicants have to take a three-hour-long entrance examination. The questions asked in this examination are of multiple choice objective types, based on forestry and natural resource management courses of B.Sc. Forestry program. Full marks for the examination are 300 and an applicant must secure a minimum of 40% (120 marks) marks to pass the test. The final merit list of applicants will be prepared by adding 20% marks of the B.Sc. The degree to 80% of the marks obtained by the candidates in the entrance examination. Names of candidates who pass the entrance test will appear in the result list in merit order. Foreign applicants will be selected on the basis of their grades secured in the B.Sc. Degree. In case the seats reserved for foreign students remain vacant, these will be considered the high tuition fee seats for Nepalese applicants. Candidates will be selected on the basis of their merit. In case the seats in high tuition fees remain vacant, successful Nepalese applicants who have applied for low tuition fees will be given an opportunity for admission if s/he agrees to pay the high tuition fee.
Advisory System
An advisory committee of two to three members (one Major Advisor and one/two Co-Advisors) will be formed by the M.Sc. Management Committee to guide research and thesis works of individual students after the students are admitted in the second semester. At least one faculty member with a Ph.D. degree in a related discipline or with at least a Master’s Degree in a related discipline and with teaching or research experience of at least 10 years will be assigned as a major advisor of each student. One to two co-advisors with master’s degree in related discipline and work experience within or outside IOF/TU will be nominated to guide the research and thesis work. The committee, in consultation with the concerned department and the student, will decide the major advisor for each student’s research and thesis work.
Evaluation and Examination System
In order to successfully complete the M.Sc. course of study and to pass it, students must secure a minimum of 40% marks in theory, practical, and term papers separately. A term paper will be assigned in the subjects having no practical, which will carry 20% of the total weightage of the theory course.
The thesis will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
Description Percentile
Excellent 80% and above
Very good 65% to less than 80%
Good 50% to less than 65%
Fair 40% to less than 50%
Note: Examiners will have to give reasons for marks below 50% and above 80%.
Students must take a written test in each subject at the end of the semester. After successful completion of the course, student’s performance will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
Description Percentile
Distinction 80% and above
First Division 65% to less than 80%
Second Division 50% to less than 65%
Pass 40% to less than 50%
Award of Degree
A student will become eligible for the award of M.Sc. The degree only when s/he completes all the course requirements prescribed by the IOF. No partial degree shall be awarded, in case a student fails to fulfill the requirements. After successful completion of the prescribed program of study, the Examination Board, Tribhuvan University, shall issue an official academic transcript.
Attendance requirement
70% attendance in each theory class and a hundred percent attendance in practical classes are mandatory for all M.Sc. programs.
Course structure of M.Sc program
| S.N. | COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
| First Semester | |||
| 1 | FPE 701 | Non-timber Forest Products | 2 |
| 2 | SFM 702 | Community Forestry and Governance | 2 |
| 3 | SFM 703 | Natural Resource Economics | 2 |
| 4 | WME 704 | Global Environmental Change | 2 |
| 5 | SFB 705 | Advance Silviculture | 2 |
| 6 | PWM 706 | Biodiversity Conservation and Protected Area Management | 2 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 12 | ||
| Second Semester | |||
| 7 | SFB 751 | Agroforestry | 2 |
| 8 | SFM 752 | Statistical Method and Data Management | 3 |
| 9 | PWM 753 | Ecotourism Planning and Management | 2 |
| 10 | SFM 754 | Sustainable Forest Management | 3 |
| 11 | SFM 755 | Biometrics | 2 |
| 12 | PWM 756 | Wildlife Biology | 2 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 | ||
| Third Semester | |||
| 13 | SFM 801 | Research Methodology and Participatory Action Research | 2 |
| 14 | WME 802 | Geographical Information Science | 4 |
| 15 | SFB 803 | Advance Forest Ecology | 2 |
| 16 | SFM 805 | Project Management* | 2 |
| 17 | SFB 806 | Forest Protection | 2 |
| 18 | FPE 807 | Bio-energy* | 2 |
| 19 | FPE 808 | Programming C++* | 2 |
| 20 | SFM 810 | Experiential Learning * | 2 |
| 21 | R & T 851 | Seminar I (Proposal Presentation) | 1 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 13 | ||
| Fourth Semester | |||
| 22 | R&T 852 | Thesis | 10 |
| 23 | R&T 853 | Seminar II (Thesis Defense) | 1 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 11 | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 50 |
*Elective Courses (any two courses are required for registration from the group of elective courses)
An elective course will be offered only when at least seven students registered for the course
Project Paper and Student’s Seminar
To develop knowledge and skills in research works, students in the fourth year second semester are required to work on their project papers or internship based on their interests and specialization. Students are encouraged to conduct original research works based on the burning issues in forestry and natural resource management aspects. Each student will be assigned an advisor to guide his/her study. An advisor will guide his/her advisee and grade the students’ work as an internal examiner. The project/internship reports will also be evaluated by external experts of that subject. On completion of project/internship, students are expected to present their works in prescheduled student seminar. Students’ research projects/internships are financed by students themselves or various national and international organizations.
