Master of Arts in Natural Resource Assessment and Management (MANRAM)
The Masters of Arts in Natural Resource Assessment and Management programme intends to provide a unique opportunity to students who wish to develop their career in natural resource management. Candidates completing this course will be of great value to employers, introducing new skills and practices in the specialized areas covered by the graduate. The course guarantees that all students completing this course meet the Faculty and the OUT standards parallel with the mission of the Open University of Tanzania.
The rationale for conducting M.A. (NRAM) is as follows. Firstly, the Department frequently has observed that, students after graduating their first degree and during Face to Face contacts requested for the launching of a taught M.A. programme. It is on this basis and requests received from clientele specified their demand for M.A. (NRAM) programme by coursework. The above observations justify M.A. (NRAM) is demand driven. Partly, it is an indication of the rising need for sustainable resource use knowledge and skills for social development which today has occupied global concern in the market-oriented economy. The market –oriented nature of the economy has increased the demand for expertise in resource assessment, planning and management for sustainable consumption and production of resources at different levels. Furthermore, the Department of Geography has seven PhD holders with qualifications relevant to the programme. The lecturers have already developed course outlines and are ready for lectures for students wishing to study by executive and evening modes. The Department is optimistic now that, the existing qualified teaching staff will manage to teach M.A. (NRAM) courses competently and deliver expected outputs in the market-oriented economy. To that effect, the teaching staff will impart natural resource management skills and expertise to students who will be marketable in the open labour market or for self-employment.
Programme Summary
Programmes Informations
Candidates holding the following qualifications will be eligible for admission into the Master of Arts in Natural Resource Assessment and Management (M.A. NRAM) Programmme:
(i) A candidate shall either hold an honours degree of the Open University of Tanzania or a qualification from an approved institution of higher learning, deemed to be equivalent to an honours degree of the Open University of Tanzania.
(ii) Candidates who hold unclassified degrees should have a credit or a distinction in the subject of the intended Master’s Degree.
(iii) Candidates with a Pass Degree will also be considered for admission if:-
- their undergraduate performance in the proposed subject of study was a B grade average or above and
- if they have satisfied the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences that they have exhibited academic potential through extensive field work, subsequent research experience and/or additional training.
Code | Course Name | Units |
ORM 601 | Contemporary Issues in Natural Resource Assessment and Management | 2 |
ORM 602 | Economics of Environmental and Natural Resources | 2 |
ORM 603 | Environmental Impact Assessment | 2 |
ORM 604 | Population Dynamics and Natural Resource Management | 2 |
ORM 605 | Applied GIS and Remote Sensing for Natural Resource Management | 2 |
ORM 606 | Research Methodology and Techniques in Natural Resources Assessment | 2 |
ORM 699 | Dissertation | 4 |
ORM 609 | Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management | 2 |
ORM 611 | Changes in Urban Landscape and Future of Natural Resources | 2 |
| NAME | CONTACTS |
| Dr. Cosmas Haule | Email:cosmas.haule@out.ac.tz Mobile: 0713 378 845 |
The goal is to meet the acute need for high level manpower in natural resources assessment, planning and management for sustainable development in developing countries like Tanzania. On completion of this programme students will have attained a range of knowledge and skills
- The learning process shall be conducted through ODL, Evening and Executive modes. That is, the learning process ranges from distance learning with ODL to actual teaching under classroom situation with Evening and Executive modes. In either case, the learning process will be guided by course outlines which have been developed. In addition, for executive and evening mode student independent learning will be complemented by face to face sessions. Student performance will be evaluated through timed tests, final examinations and dissertation writing though a structured course evaluation framework to be issued at the beginning of the term. Understanding of the subject matter will be checked through the process of marking tests and examinations; and results will be uploaded on the OUT website and SARIS for students to access.
- After undergoing training which involves acquisition of different skills in critical thinking and arguments, they are expected to apply such experience in discussing, writing and analysing critically theoretical and policy matters related to population, resources assessment and management issues. Students are also expected to apply the acquired knowledge to advocate, promote gender equality, impact of affluent-poor nations and various approaches to achieving sustainable resource use for sustainable development.
- M.A. (NRAM) is designed to produce environmental management, assessment and planning professionals equipped with skills in providing services to the community, national, NGOs, and international organizations who can influence policies and decisions that can ensure sustainable resource consumption. Also it is geared towards preparing skilled manpower in teaching, mass media, supervision and enforcement of laws related to natural resource management.
- Upon completion of the programme, graduates would be able to transfer skills related to resource assessment, planning, monitoring and management to the society, in form of advocacy and activism, research skills, teaching at different levels, project design, write-ups, management and implementation.
The following regulations will apply for the Programme:
All courses shall be examined during the academic year in which they are studied. The assessment shall consist of MOODLE participation, Term paper (or a long assignment) and a written 3 hours Annual Examination. MOODLE participation will contribute 20%; Term Paper 30% while the Annual Examination will contribute 50%.
- A pass mark for both the coursework and examinations combined shall be 50%
