Ocean University of Sri Lanka - MSc in Coastal Resources Economics and Management (SLQF Level 10)

Course overview

The Ocean University of Sri Lanka is enrolling students for the MSc/Masters/PG Diploma in Coastal Resources Economics and Management.

The courses are designed to build the manpower required to value coastal and marine ecosystem services and offer meaningful information for policymakers and resource managers about the economic significance of coastal resources for planning, restoration, and damage assessment. The focus of this programme ranges from theoretical perspectives on linkages between ecosystem services and resource management, to the actual integration of valuation of information in coastal and marine resources for policy decisions, and to the application of economic valuation methods to specific coastal and marine resource management problems. Since this management strategy is widely accepted and discussing globally for managing natural resources the outcome of the programme will be highly recognized and benefit to the country.

The programme is implemented jointly with IUCN, Sri Lanka under the Global Environmental Facility (GEF 07) project `Natural Capital Values of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems In Sri Lanka Integrated into Sustainable Development Planning” which is executed by the Ministry of Environment.

Course Aims

The proposed course plans to develop human resources with state-of-the-art competencies in:

• Ecosystem valuation and natural capital accounting using internationally accepted methodologies such as the System of Environment Economics Accounting (SEEA)
• Monitoring disaster risks, natural resources damage assessments (NRDA), ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) and establishing adaptive and mitigatory action
• Environment certification and auditing and, value chain management Remote sensing and GIS for coastal planning and management
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Integrated coastal management (ICM)

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE, PATHWAYS AND DURATION

The programme consists of three parts;

• Part I (Contents of Semester 1 and 2),
• Part II (Contents of Semester 3) and
• Part III (Contents of Semester 4 – Research Project and dissertation)

Those who successfully complete;

• Part I is eligible for Postgraduate Diploma _ SLQF level 8, 1 year duration, requires total of 30 credits
• Part I & II is eligible for Master by course work – SLQF Level 9, 1 ½ years duration, requires total of 45 credits
• Part I ,II & III is eligible for MSc by Course work with Research – SLQF 10, 2 years duration, requires 60 credits

 Candidates can choose to register for any one of them directly

Specializing Areas

The proposed course plans to develop human resources with state-of-the-art competencies in:

• Coastal and Marine Environment
• Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Valuation
• Natural Capital Accounting
• Monitoring Disaster Risks
• Natural Resources Damage Assessments (NRDA)
• Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) and establishing adaptive and mitigatory action
• Environment Certification and Auditing and, Value Chain Management
• Remote Sensing and GIS for coastal planning and management
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Integrated Coastal Resources Management (ICM)

Admission Requirement

• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized University/ Institution in a relevant subject area (Biological Science, Physical Science, Environment Science, Economics, Agriculture, Geology, Geography, Oceanography, Tourism, Law, Technology); OR
• Any other Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent qualification (NVQ 7) which is acceptable to the Academic Council of the Ocean University of Sri Lanka
• Undergraduates awaiting final year results are also encouraged to apply
• Candidates in relevant professions or working experience are given priority