Bachelor of Science in Water Quality Management
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Water is an irreplaceable resource and critical for sustainable and socio-economic development as well as healthy ecosystems. If well managed, water can ease the globe from the burden of disease, leading to improved health, welfare as well as productivity of human populations.
The water sector in Malawi is facing challenges such as degradation of water resources, inadequate promotion of hygiene and sanitation, as well as, treatment and disposal of solid and liquid waste according to theme four of MDGS II (2011-2016). There have been reported cases of prevalence of water-related diseases (e.g. Cholera) and cases of increased pollution of water bodies. It is anticipated that in the coming years there will be more adverse impacts on water quality in both surface and ground water due to issues of climate change, human activities (deforestation, agriculture, increased population), urbanization as well as industries (mining, manufacturing). The resulting pollution will negatively affect the environment, livelihoods and the economic development of the country in the long run. This calls for a regulatory framework which Malawi already has in place. Despite an elaborate environmental regulatory framework, enforcement has been a challenge. The problem is in part due to limited qualified personnel in water quality and pollution management.
As of 2016, there was no university programme in the country focusing on water quality and pollution management. This programme therefore addresses this gap.
Career Prospects
Graduates under this programme can work in a wide range of professional areas such as in watershed management, biology, ecology, agronomy, soil science, forestry, chemistry (water quality), hydrogeology, communication, education, policy, planning, environmental health and safety (water quality focus), water quality (monitoring, sampling, lab analysis), water quality modeling, GIS analysis, green building, water quality/environmental engineering (in resource development), water resources engineering, utility engineering, municipal water systems operations, water well drilling and pump installation.
DURATION
Four YearsSem
1
-Chemistry I
-Algebra and Trigonometry
-Biology I
-Physics I
-Language and Communication Studies
-Introduction to Computer Applications
Sem
2
-Chemistry II
-Calculus I
-Biology II
-Physics II
-Technical and Business Communication
-Computer Programming
Sem
3
-Fundamentals of Weather and Climate
-Minerals and Rocks
-Principles of Hydrology
-Water Chemistry 1
-Water Resources Planning and Management
-Aquatic Ecology
Sem
4
-Fundamentals of Geochemistry
-Applied chemistry
-Principles of Hydrogeology
-Water Chemistry II
-Principles of Pollution
-Sustainable Water Management and Development
Sem
5
-GIS and Remote Sensing
-Ground Water Exploration Techniques
-Water Quality
-Water Policy and law
-Environmental Hydrology
-Gender and Water Resources Management
Sem
6
-EIA and SEIA
-Limnology
-Research Methods
-Water Supply and Sanitation
-Industry and Water Quality
-Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Water Resources Management
Sem
7
-Water Service Delivery And Governance
-Water Quality Monitoring And Assessment
-Water Quality Modelling
-Pollution Management and Remediation
-Climate Change and WASH
-Research Project I
Sem
8
-Integrated Water Resources Management
-Water Economics
-Water safety and Treatment
-Business Management and Entrepreneurship
-Waste Water Management and Utilization
-Research Project II
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Malawian undergraduate students on generic intake pay K450,000 per academic year for tuition. However, the students also need K80,000 per annum for accommodation and an estimated K500,000 per annum for upkeep. Economic fee paying students pay K2,200,000 tuition fees per annum and K160,000 per annum for their accommodation. Foreign students from the SADC region pay US$3,000 tuition fees per annum while those from countries outside the SADC pay US$3,500 per academic year. Postgraduate students pay tuition fees of US$5,000 or Malawi Kwacha equivalent per academic year. Other costs include K40,000 per semester residence (depends on availability) fee; living expenses of approximately K250,000 per semester payable on prorate basis; research fee of US$500 or in Malawi Kwacha equivalent; dissertation/thesis binding fee of K25,000 and yet to be advised medical insurance fee. |
The admission of applicants will be at the discretion of the Malawi University of Science and Technology. However, applicants will have to conform to the following criteria:
Entry in Year 1:
MSCE, “O” Level, IGCSE, GCE at least strong credits in Mathematics, Geography and English and any four of the following; Computer Studies, Physics, Chemistry (or Physical Science), Agriculture and Biology.
Entry in Year 2:
A-level with at least C grade in the following subject Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and a strong credit in Geography at “O level”.