The Department is in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Department of Geography caters for the needs of Geographical training of teachers, researchers and other professionals. This is in response to the rising demand for Geography teachers and related professionals in the country. The department prepares professionals equipped with appropriate skills so as to meet challenges posed by Geography as a subject. Currently the department offers Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Education (BEd), Master of Science (MSc), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science in Hydrology and Water Resources (MSH), Master of Science in Integrated Watershed Management (MSc IWM) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Vision
The vision of the Department is to be dynamic an inclusive and competitive centre of excellence in teaching, research, consultancy and community outreach.
Mission
The mission of the Department is to train geography teachers and other professionals for both public and private sectors. In addition, the Department undertakes research and consultancy based on various geographical aspects and trends.
Objectives
The main objectives of the Department:
- Offer academic programmes leading to the awards of certificates, diplomas and degrees in Geography.
- Offer training and upgrading of skills on the Geography.
- Carry research in diverse fields of Geography
- Promote high standards and learning
- Establish and enhance appropriate linkages with local and international institution.
- Offer advisory and consultancy services to staff, government departments and organizations, institutions, development partners and other actors in the field of Geography.
- Contribute to capacity building through knowledge of various stakeholders.
The Department specializes in a number of areas including Integrated Water Resource Management (IWM), Hydrology and Water Resources, Geomorphology, Climatology, Biogeography, population and Settlement and Geospatial Techniques and Remote Sensing. We have a large collection of maps that can be scanned and processed using Geographical Information Systems in the GIS Laboratory. Global Positioning System (GPS)
Research Activities
Academic Staff and Specialisation
The Department has a team of 23 teaching staff made up of one full Professor, two Associate Professors, five Senior Lecturers all PhD holders, ten Lecturers (eight PhD holders) and five Tutorial Fellows currently undertaking their PhD studies. The Department also has an adjunct Professor. The staff have specializations in the following areas; Agricultural Geography, Climatology, Biogeography, Environment and Society, Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing, Marketing, Geomorphology, Hydrology & Water Resources, Population, Settlement Geography, Tourism/Resource Management, Transport Geography, Urban Climatology and Urban Planning/Settlements.
The Department also has a team on non-teaching staff which includes Cartographer, Meteorologist; and a Secretariat team of three.
- Prof. Christopher A. Shisanya
- Prof. Leonard Musyoka Kisovi
- Prof. Joy Obando
- Dr. Jackson Musau
- Dr. George Lukoye Makokha
- Dr. Ishmail O. Mahiri
- Dr. Philomena Wairimu Muiruri
- Dr. Shadrack Kiana Murimi
- Dr. Peter Mahende Sinda
- Dr. Joseph Mahiri
- Dr. Anthony N. Macharia
- Dr. Kennedy Obiero
- Dr. Francis Omweri Onsongo
- Dr. Thomas N. Kibutu
- Dr. Raphael Kweyu
- Dr. Calvine Kayi
- Dr.Mary Makokha
- Dr. James Ndwiga Kathuri
- Dr. Susan Wanjiru Mbuthia
- Mr. David Osebe Magiya
Research Activities
Climate Change, Catchments, Hydrological Processes and Water Resources, Water Resources aspects, Droughts and Floods, HIV/AIDS and Aging, Food security, Sediment and erosion processes, Hydrogeomorphological studies. Risk Management and conservation in semi arid zones. Integration of maize markets; Equipment are available for field work. The Department maintains a data base of climate data and satellite images and a number of statistical software for research. Our focus is on geographical aspects of natural and human resources as desired in industry and society.
Student Fieldwork
Fieldwork forms a very important component of Geography and it is a requirement. Various field activities are carried out by the students which form part of the degree. At undergraduate level, all Geography students participate in AGE 300:
At Masters level
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| Students measuring river discharge in Thiririka River, in Kiambu County as part of AGE 867 Watershed Evaluation | Students recording pH for Theta Dam, in Kiambu County as part of AGE 867: Watershed Evaluation |
Structure Of Units For All Levels In Geography Department
Masters Concept Paper Template
Third Year & Fourth Year Number of Units
Bachelor Of Education (E35 & E37)
Bachelor Of Education, Bachelor Of Arts, And Bachelor Of Science(Geography)
Programme In Geography Of Marketing
Programme In Population And Settlement Geography
Programme In Urban And Regional Planning
Master Of Science In Hydrology And Water Resources
Master Of Science In Integrated Watershed Management
Masters Arts And Science Geography
Masters In Agricultural Geography
Masters Programme In Economic And Industrial Geography
Masters Programme In Transport Geography
Undergraduate Programmes
- Physical Geography: Climatology, Geomorphology, Applied Geomorphology, Fluvial Geomorphology, Synoptic Climatology, Applied Climatology, Biogeography, Advanced Biogeography, Hydrology And Water Resources, Rock Materials And Structure, Medical Geography, Geography Of Energy And Soil Geography.
- Human Geography: Population Geography, Rural Development, Settlement Geography, Geography Of Development, Geographic Thought, Agricultural Geography, Economic Geography, Geography Of Marketing, Transport Geography, Political Geography, Industrial Geography, Geography Of Tourism, Geography Of Poverty, Historical Geography ,Urban Geography Regional Planning And Urban Geography.
- Regional Geography: Geography Of East Africa And Geography Of Africa.
- Geographical Techniques: Cartography, Remote Sensing, Geographical Information Systems (Gis), Surveying, Field Work, Air Photo Interpretation, Statistics And Quantitative Techniques
- Cross-Cutting Units: Geography Of Natural Hazards, Arid And Semi Arid Lands, Environmental Conservation, Spatial Organization And Research Paper.
Postgraduate Programme
The Department Offers Postgraduate Programmes At Masters And Doctoral Levels. Msc And Ma Programmes Are Designed To Take A Maximum Of 2 Years While The Phd Programmes Take A Minimum Of 3 Years. The Msc And Ma Degrees Consist Of Coursework, Examination And Thesis, While Phd Is By Thesis Only.
Master Of Science Geography
The Areas Of Specialization Include:
Biogeography
Climatology
Geomorphology
Medical Geography
Master Of Arts Geography
The Areas Of Specialization Include:
- Agricultural Geography
- Biogeography
- Climatology
- Economic And Industrial Geography
- Geomorphology
- Geography Of Marketing
- Medical Geography
- Population And Settlement Geography
- Transport Geography
- Urban And Regional Planning
Master Of Science In Hydrology And Water Resources
The Msc In Hydrology And Water Resources Is An Amalgamation Of Results Concepts And Theories Adopted From A Multitude Of Basic Sciences And Applied Disciplines And May Be Applied By A Variety Of Specialists From Diverse Backgrounds Including Statisticians, Physicists And Civil Engineers.
Master Of Science In Integrated Watershed Management
Msc (Iwm) Lays Emphasis On Combining Knowledge From Various Disciplines In A Practical Oriented Setting, In Order To Achieve Sustainable Socio Economic And Ecological Development Of Watersheds Through A Multi-Disciplinary Approach. The Mission Of Iwm Masters Programme Is To Train Personnel Based On Skills Of Holistic Thinking And Decision Making In Order To Analyse Problems, Carry Out Research, Develop Strategies And Achieve Appropriate Solutions.
Phd Programme
The Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd) Programme In Geography Follows Any Of The Masters Programmes.The Four Phd Programmes Follow On From The Four Masters Degree Programmes:-
- Phd Geography Science (Area Of Specialization)
- Phd Geography Arts (Area Of Specialization)
- Phd (Hydrology And Water Resources)
- Phd (Integrated Watershed Management)
- Workshop in London on Pathways to Resilience in Semi arid Economies
On 16th February, 2015, Raphael Kweyu a Tutorial Fellow in the Department, presented a paper entitled ‘Evaluating Climate Variability Adaptation Projects; lessons drawn from Kenya’s Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASAL)’ at a workshop at the London School of Economics, UK. The workshop was organised by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) under the Pathways to Resilience in Semi-arid Economies (PRISE) program. He also shared his experiences and presented the Department of Geography on 25 March, 2015.
Mr. Kweyu (left) with fellow PRISE workshop participants in London in February 2015.
- Integrated Watershed Management Research & Development Capacity Building Workshop in Cape Town
Masters students from the Department Ms. Rose Julius and Mr. Mawuli Asempah (in the middle) who participated in the workshop from 27th - 30th May 2015
Linkages and Collaboration
The department collaborates with the following several local and international institutions and organizations in the areas of teaching, curriculum development, research, staff, students’ exchanges and community service.
- Makerere University
- Free University, Berlin (FU
- University of Bonn
- University of Dar es Salaam
Potential Employers
- Government Ministries
- County Governments
- Schools, Colleges and Universities
- Research Institutions
- Non-governmental organizations
- Parastatals
Facilities in the Departmentof Geography
The department of Geography has the following facilities, which are available for research and teaching:
- Weather Station
- A large collection of maps
- Practical laboratory
- GIS Laboratory
- Rock Materials Laboratory
- Resource Centre
Specialty and Branding
The Department specializes in a number of areas including Integrated Watershed Management (IWM), Hydrology and Water Resources, Geomorphology, Climatology, Biogeography, population and Settlement and Geospatial Techniques and Remote Sensing. We have a large collection of maps that can be scanned and processed using Geographical Information Systems in the GIS Laboratory, Global Positioning System (GPS).
SERVICE DELIVERY CHARTER
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SERVICE RENDERED |
REQUIREMENTS |
TIMELINE |
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS |
EVALUATION CRITERIA |
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Provide List of Units And Allocation of Teaching Duties |
List of Units; List of Academic Staff; List of Teaching Allocation |
1 Month Before New Semester |
Teaching Allocation Schedule |
Unit Class Registration Lists provided by Teaching Staff |
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Prepare And Display Department Teaching Timetable |
Extraction Of Department Timetable From University Master Timetable; Copies Displayed On Department Notice Board |
2 Weeks Before New Semester |
Timetables on Department Notice Board |
Number of reported cases of Timetable clashes; Classes proceeding as per Timetable |
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Receive and Register Students |
Unit Registration Forms; List of Units for Semester |
Upon Arrival |
Unit/Student Registration List |
Unit Class Registration Lists provided by Teaching Staff |
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Provide Lectures and Tutorials |
Course Instructor, Lecture Room, Students |
Upon Student Registration |
Unit Class Attendance/Registration List |
Number of students who did CATs |
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Set and Administer CATs for Exams |
CATs And Exams Questions, E10 Forms, Students IDs, Invigilators |
Mid-Semester and End Of Semester |
E10 Forms Duly Signed |
Number of students who did CATs; Signed E10 Forms submitted to exam coordinator |
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Mark and Upload Marks for Cats and Exams |
Marked Scripts and Mark Sheets, Internal and External Examiners |
Upon Administration Of Cats and Exams |
Marked Scripts and Mark Sheets |
Department Exam results moderation |
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Organize and Facilitate Seminars |
Copies of Seminar Papers |
Twice Per Semester |
Number of Seminar Papers |
Minutes of seminar sessions |
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Organize and Take Students for Field Course |
Age 300 Pre-Requisite; Field Course Programme; Transportation; Financial Facilitation, Co-Ordination |
1 Week Annually |
Field Course Reports and Grades |
Final report and financial accounting by field course co-coordinator |
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Receive and Process Postgraduate Concept Papers and Research Proposals |
Copies of Concept Papers and Proposals; Notification of postgraduate seminar by coordinator |
Bi-Weekly Every Semester |
Oral Presentation by Post Graduate Students |
Minutes of postgraduate seminar presentations |
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Receive and Process Postgraduate Theses |
Notice of Submission; Copies of Spiral -Bound Theses; Fee Statement; Thesis Forwarding Letter. |
3 Months |
4 Copies Of Spiral Bound Thesis |
Theses defence by students; Minutes of defence committee |
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