THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREST RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Zimbabwe is endowed with forest and wildlife resources that are economically and cultural important. Forests play a key role in the country’s economy as they provide many vital ecosystem goods including timber, fruits, fodder and medicine. In addition, they provide habitats for wildlife and other ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and storage, protection of water catchment areas and the prevention of soil erosion. Despite the key role forests play, we continue to lose them along with the endangered animals that live in them. In Zimbabwe and many tropical countries, forest cover is declining mainly due to agricultural expansion, wood harvesting and wildfires. Due to overexploitation of forest and wildlife resources, the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management is designed to train, skill and promote the next generation of forest and wildlife managers, conservationists, researchers, scholars, and wildlife law enforcement officials at the highest scientific level. The Department would like to join hands with individuals and organizations that are fighting to address the challenges of deforestation and forest degradation, biodiversity loss, climate crisis and non-native plant invasions.
Our mission is to advance the science and management of forest and wildlife resources by developing solutions to problems affecting these resources; producing graduates that are knowledgeable and passionate about forestry and wildlife matters locally, regionally and internationally.
NUST is the perfect location for the study of the forest resources and wildlife management and its interactions with people, conservation and management. We are situated three hours’ drive from the vast Kalahari Teak forests, and Zimbabwe’s largest National Park and the world’s largest Trans-frontier conservation area – the Kavango Zambezi TFCA, KAZA.
Our department has a wide range of expertise in forestry, wildlife ecology, conservation and natural resources management.
Research submitted by the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management has been recognised both locally and at international level.
The natural Kalahari Teak Forests and Hwange National Park are less than 4 hours drive away and they provide a 'living laboratory' for much of our teaching and research.
Internationally recognized, the Hwange National Park contains a huge diversity of mammals and birds and has sites of Special Scientific Interest, including some which are of African significance.
The department co-runs a geo-spatial station under the Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa (MESA). The MESA wild fire station, which comprises a EUMETCast antenna and work stations for data acquisition and processing, run by the department provides near real time earth observation fire information for use in rangeland, forest, wildlife and agricultural land management.
We conduct research that has national, regional, and international recognition with notable contributions to the field of Forest and Wildlife Management demonstrated by high-quality publications, honours theses, and higher degree dissertations including patents and copyrights. Research areas include, but not limited to:
Forest Ecology and Management
Wildlife Ecology and Management
Protected Area and Wildlife Habitat Management
Rangeland Ecology and Management
Forest Entomology
Avian Behaviour and Ecology
Flora, Fauna, People and Conservation
Biodiversity Conservation
Forests and Global Change
Our Programmes
Undergraduate
Duration: 4 Years
ZNQF Level: 8
PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME
The programme has been designed to provide education for undergraduate students in forest and wildlife resources management. The education covers issues related to resource use, protection and enhancement of environmental quality. We expect that our students have a love of nature, are fascinated by plants and animals, are interested in conservation, and are concerned about our environment in Zimbabwe and Africa, and the whole world. It is further hoped that the graduates from this programme will develop their abilities to think and analyse issues pertaining to their fields without being limited by the conventional constraints of academic boundaries. Specifically, the programme is expected to:
Produce competent leaders in the forestry and wildlife sub-sectors who can apply knowledge for conservation development,
Produce all-round forest and wildlife managers who can appreciate forest and wildlife conservation and tackle conservation challenges,
Produce forest and wildlife advocacy experts, knowledgeable on the forest and wildlife laws and policies.
Produce forest and wildlife researchers and law enforcers who are ready to create awareness about the plight of forest and wildlife resources.
ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS
Normal Entry
At least 2 “A” level passes in Geography, Biology and or Chemistry and 5 “O” level subjects at Grade C or better including Mathematics and English Language.
Special Entry
Special entry applicants must have successfully completed National Certificate, National Diploma or Higher National Diploma in Forestry, Wildlife, Natural Resources or its recognized equivalent may apply for entry into Year I.
Postgraduate
Skill level: Postgraduate (ZNQF Level 9)
Course Duration: 2 years
ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS
Normal Entry
Applicants should normally hold a minimum of an Upper Second Class (2.2) Honours degree in Forestry, Wildlife, Environmental Science and related disciplines with a significant Forestry and Wildlife content.
Special Entry
A candidate with a BSc (Honours) degree at 2.2 and at least three years of relevant work experience shall be admitted after passing a qualifying examination.
Skill level: Postgraduate (ZNQF Level 9)
Course Duration: Full-time: 2 years or Part-time 3 years
LESSONS:
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree is offered in various research fields with a significant Forestry and Wildlife content, including:
Forest Ecology and Management
Wildlife Ecology and Management
Rangeland Ecology and Management
Forest Entomology
Avian Behaviour and Ecology
Flora, Fauna, People and Conservation
Biodiversity Conservation
Forests and Global Change
ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS
Normal Entry
An applicant for entry into an MPhil degree should normally be a holder of at least B.Sc. (Hons) degree in the Upper Second Division or equivalent in the relevant field.
REGULATIONS
The Regulations for the Master of Philosophy degree complement and are subordinate to University General Regulations for undergraduate degrees and Faculty of Environmental Science regulations.
Skill level: Postgraduate (ZNQF Level 10)
Course Duration: Full-time: 2 years or Part-time 3 years
Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil/PhD) degree is offered in various research fields with a significant Forestry and Wildlife content, including:
Forest Ecology and Management
Wildlife Ecology and Management
Rangeland Ecology and Management
Forest Entomology
Avian Behaviour and Ecology
Flora, Fauna, People and Conservation
Biodiversity Conservation
Forests and Global Change
ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS
Normal Entry
An applicant for entry into a DPhil/PhD should normally be a holder of at least an MSc degree (Distinction or Merit) or MPhil in the broad field they are seeking admission into.
Special Entry
A candidate with an upper second class pass at the Honour’s level who wishes to pursue a DPhil/PhD may be eligible to upgrade from an MPhil to a PhD as outlined in the University Regulations.
REGULATIONS
The Regulations for the Doctor of Philosophy degree complement and are subordinate to University General Regulations for undergraduate degrees and Faculty of Environmental Science regulations.
Our Staff