Curriculum Framework

At School of Ecology and Environment Studies each course takes a holistic view of knowledge that incorporate comprehension, analytical and synthesis abilities, recognising opportunities for application in specific contexts and evaluation at different levels. While the core courses focus on knowledge, comprehension and articulation of core concepts related to ecology and environment, there is a wide range of electives that focus more on analysis, synthesis and application of knowledge. The pedagogy, therefore, emphasises learning, rather than teaching, through elaborate classroom participation, group work and individual projects. Evaluation, too, is diverse and designed to identify and improve specific aspects of learning.

As regards to the semester-wise breakdown of the courses, the first semester is focussed on foundation knowledge on different disciplines critical to the study of ecology and environment, while the second semester is dedicated to core inter-disciplinary knowledge on sustainable development and environmental laws and policy, along with elective courses in the thrust areas. The third semester has a range of elective courses that provide specialised knowledge in the thrust areas. Case studies, particularly from the Asian context, are often discussed in these courses. In addition to classroom lectures, there are ample assignments, projects, tutorials, field work, and seminars. Students are also primed for an individual dissertation through the development of a research proposal. During the fourth and final semester, an individual dissertation that seeks to bring together the knowledge obtained to address a real- life problem is attempted.

Course Structure

Nalanda University has a common course structure across all its Schools. The courses are categorised into core, elective, and seminar courses. Additionally, each School has a dissertation component in the 4th Semester. The broad structure of each semester is given below.