This section pertains to information regarding academic activities and student policies related to functioning of master’s degree program.
Masters Dissertation
Each student shall identify an appropriate dissertation topic from within the thrust areas of the School or from an individual faculty’s research specialization after discussion with the faculty concerned. The dissertation may involve formulating and testing hypotheses based on laboratory and/or field work, or empirical studies/theoretical work based on secondary sources. It may also be a case study, describing and analyzing a particular problem/phenomenon by examining its socio-economic, ecological, or environmental dimensions. The procedure for deciding the choice of the problem is outlined below:
Each student shall submit two tentative synopses with choice of supervisors during the fourth week of third semester to the Dean/designated faculty member. The Dean will allocate supervisors to each student based on their research interests, and in consultation with the faculty concerned, during the sixth week of third semester. A Dissertation Advisory Committee consisting of the supervisor and another faculty member will be constituted for each student during the eighth week of third semester.
Research work involving studies on issues relating to the geographical area where the University is situated will be generally encouraged. If the research demands a field study or a collaborative work outside the state or country, an approval is required from the Dean and it will be subject to the following conditions:
The maximum duration of stay outside the University for field work or any other collaborative work shall not exceed two months.
There shall be a co-supervisor from an external organization where the field study or collaborative work is proposed to be conducted, in addition to the supervisor from the University.
Summer Internship
All students at the School of Ecology & Environment Studies shall undertake Summer Internship between the end of the first year and the beginning of the second year. The objective is to gain practical and field experience in selected areas of environmental engagements. It offers an opportunity for students to associate with environmental organizations, industries, government, NGOs and academic institutions where they can gain specific experience in the chosen field.
Field study
The field study component allows students to actively participate in designing and conducting research as they acquire the knowledge gained in the classes and apply it to an actual environmental problem in the real world. This component is crucial during the academic course as it enhances the student’s understanding of socio-ecological problems through site visits to specific regions where our faculty have the expertise. Our academic programs provide students with a clear understanding of the value and management of natural resources within local contexts through field surveys. We design and implement strategic research plans in collaboration with local stakeholders. Our program curricula emphasize that students and faculty interact with local communities and agencies to discuss about complex issues related to environment towards setting community-defined goals. Students observe real-world environmental problems critical to local communities, enabling them to make demonstrable impacts during the semester after a short research project/ internship/dissertation. Academic material follows an integrated approach to cover a range of disciplines and topics including ecology, policy, environmental management, and socioeconomics.
