POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN METEOROLOGY

Overview

Background of the Programme

The Department of Meteorology offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Meteorology. Since its inception, the Department has continued to play a leading role in training highly skilled meteorological personnel, many of whom are currently manning National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) of most countries in Africa.

This programme is within the Earth Sciences field (No. 0532), of the Physical Sciences category, of the natural sciences, mathematics and statistics broad category of the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) Fields of Education and Training of 2013 (ISCED-F 2013) categorization.

​​​​​​​Philosophy of the Programme

The day-to-day socio-economic wellbeing of people is highly influenced by the prevailing weather and climate. Favourable weather and climate conditions determine the quality and quantity of life. On the other hand, hazards due to extreme climate and weather have beguiled humankind since time immemorial. The adverse effects of these hazards may be minimized by understanding, monitoring and predicting their evolution in both time and space.

Meteorology is an applied science and some of the applied areas of the Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Meteorology programme include bio-meteorology; hydro-meteorology; agro-meteorology; aeronautical meteorology; renewable energy resources; environmental meteorology; environmental pollution; environmental impacts assessment; and urban climatology. For the learner to pursue this programme, he or she should have a strong background in undergraduate Mathematics and Physical Sciences. The core courses are geared towards developing the learner into a professional meteorologist. In addition, the learner shall be exposed to the various applications of meteorology.

This programme is guided by the need to inspire learners from within Kenya and elsewhere to provide leadership and excel in the field of Meteorology with passion, moral responsibility and a strong sense of patriotism in line with the University of Nairobi Philosophy. The philosophy of the University of Nairobi is to foster excellence in intellectual development, creativity and innovation, academic freedom, good governance and integrity, professionalism and national cohesion and inclusiveness through quality customer service.

​​​​​​​Rationale of the Programme

The prevailing weather and climate in a nation drives the socio-economic development more so in the developing world. Clear understanding and expert knowledge of weather and climate are ultimate if factoring this information into the appropriate operational and strategic processes of nation is to be satisfactorily achieved. Besides, many natural disasters the world over are triggered and/or exacerbated by weather and climate extremes.

The science of Meteorology is a highly specialized field that requires a unique training approach. The Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Meteorology programme is intended to train experts that can monitor and analyse current weather/climate information as well as provide expected weather/climate information for economic planning and development, and for safeguarding life and property through early warning.

The PGD in Meteorology programme has been revised in accordance with the WMO guidelines embracing new developments and emerging knowledge in the science of Meteorology and the expanding areas of socio-economic planning and applications. This programme is particularly relevant and applicable in view of the Kenya Vision 2030 development blueprint, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the UN Framework for Climate Change Convention.  

In the course of reviewing this programme, the following stakeholders, among others, were actively involved: Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), IGAD-Climate Prediction Applications Centre (ICPAC), Institute of Meteorological Training and Research (IMTR). All the stakeholders were in agreement that the reviewed program is in line with the market demand.

​​​​​​​Goal of the Programme

The Postgraduate Diploma in Meteorology programme aims to equip students with skills, knowledge and competencies in the science of Meteorology and its various applications. It targets first degree holders interested in pursuing Meteorology as a profession.

​​​​​​​Expected Learning Outcomes of the programme

At the end of the programme, the learner should be able to:

  1. Analyse and monitor the systems that control weather and climate.
  2. Discuss the formation and behaviour of weather and climate phenomena.
  3. Model, simulate and forecast the space and time evolution of meteorological systems.
  4. Explain the causes of climate variability and change and their potential implications on meteorological applications.
  5. Apply weather and climate information to various meteorological applications including surface water resources, agriculture, aviation, renewable energy, environment, air quality assessment, health and urban planning.
 
      1. The program comprises a total of 14 course units and a project. 8 units are core courses and 6 are elective courses.
      2. The candidate shall be required to take 8 core courses, at least 2 elective courses, and the project. The project will be equivalent to 2 course units.
      3. The programme shall carry a minimum of 450 instructional hours.
      4. The course consists of lectures, tutorials, fieldwork, continuous assessment, written examinations, and a research project.
      5. The continuous assessment shall comprise tests, written assignments, practical sessions, seminars and term papers.
      6. Candidates shall be required to take a minimum of 3 course units and a maximum of 5 course units in a semester.

Candidates shall be expected to attend at least two thirds of the total time scheduled for each unit lecture to be eligible for examinations in that unit

Minimum Admission Requirements

  1. The general admission requirements for Postgraduate Diploma programmes at the University of Nairobi shall apply.
    1. An applicant shall be eligible for admission to the course if he/she has at least a first degree of at least pass level, of the University of Nairobi or an equivalent qualification from any other institution recognised by the Senate. The applicant must have at least one of the following background qualifications:  Mathematics, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Applied Mathematics with any other science subject, Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science

Exemptions and Transfer of Credits

    1. Grades for transferred courses shall be entered in the candidates’ transcripts while the exempted courses shall be entered as ‘exempt’.
    2. Applications for transfer of credit or exemption shall be considered only after an applicant has paid the requisite fees.
    3. A student seeking transfer of credits or exemption shall apply through the Faculty, School, Institute or Centre to the Director of GS indicating the course units and attach relevant documents to support the application.
    4. Credit transfers in case of exchange students shall be applicable only to specific memoranda of understanding or agreements signed in advance between the University of Nairobi and the collaborating Universities/Institutions for joint programmes.
    5. A student shall be allowed to transfer or seek exemption for up to one third of the total taught courses if the candidate had attended a similar programme in another institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate.
PGD MET FEE STRUCTURE

 

Exam Regulations

The examinations shall be governed by the general regulations for the Postgraduate Diploma in the School of Physical Sciences and on approval by Senate

Written Examinations

  1. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in any course unit may, upon the recommendation of the School Academic Board and approval by the Senate;
  2. The pass mark for each course shall be 50%.
  3. The end-of-semester examination shall constitute 70% and the continuous assessment shall account for 30% of the total marks for each taught course unit, respectively.
  4. Each course unit shall be examined by a two-hour written examination at the end of the semester during which the course is offered.
  5. Continuous assessment shall comprise written assignments, tests, term papers, seminars and practical sessions where applicable.
  6. The program shall be examined through continuous assessment and end-of-semester examinations.
  7. Be allowed to sit for supplementary examinations only once at such a time when the supplementary/special examinations are being administered if he/she has failed in four or fewer course units.
  8. Be discontinued from the University if he/she has failed in five or more course units.
      1. A pass obtained by sitting supplementary examinations shall be recorded as 50% in the candidate’s academic record. The examination mark shall count without consideration of the course work mark previously obtained.
      2. A candidate, who fails in the supplementary examination or has failed to complete the prescribed courses within the prescribed time, shall be discontinued.
      3. A candidate who, for good cause, fails to sit or complete an end-of-semester examination may be allowed to take a special examination. The results of such a special examination shall be treated like that of a normal examination rather than a supplementary examination.
      4. The University of Nairobi examination policy shall apply. All the university examinations shall be moderated at two levels: Internally, by academic members of staff in the Department, and Externally, by the external examiner.
      5. A candidate who engages in examination malpractices shall face disciplinary action.

Research Project Assessment

  1. A candidate who fails a re-submitted project or fails to re-submit the project within 3 months shall be discontinued.
  2. A candidate who fails the research project will be required to re-submit it for re-examination only once and within 3 months.
  3. A candidate must pass in both the written project and oral examination. The pass mark for the research project shall be 50%.
  4. In additional to 7.2.3, a candidate shall be examined orally by a Departmental Board of Examiners chaired by the Chair of the Department, or his representative, and comprising at least three members of teaching staff, one of whom shall be the supervisor. The oral examination shall constitute 20% of the total marks for the research project.
  5. The research project report shall be examined by the supervisor and at least one other academic member of staff. The examiners’ report shall account for 80% of the total marks.
  6. Each candidate shall present for examination, two weeks before the end-of-semester examination, a report of an approved research project and the plagiarism test certificate in any one of the areas of specialisation in meteorology. The report shall be expected to demonstrate acquisition of the relevant knowledge, understanding and research skills and their effective application to an investigation of substance and significance in meteorology.
  7. The research project report, which must be original, shall account for two (2) course units.
  8. A candidate shall undertake an approved research project (SMR 520) under the supervision of one or more members of academic staff.

  9. Moderation of Examinations

    1. The end-of-semester examinations shall be moderated internally and externally.
    2. Internal moderation shall be carried out from within the Department by a Departmental Moderation Committee. Internal moderators will provide their comments and suggestions in a special internal moderation form; these comments and suggestions shall be the basis for the action of the internal examiner.

    3. The draft examination papers shall be forwarded to the external examiner for external moderation. The external examiner’s comments and suggestions, if any, shall be considered by the internal examiner.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

  1. Postgraduate Diploma Award

    1. The final diploma award shall be Postgraduate Diploma in Meteorology (PGD Meteo).

  2. Classification of Postgraduate Diploma

    1. The final award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Meteorology shall be classified into Distinction, Credit or Pass based on the overall average score. The Postgraduate Diploma in Meteorology shall be graded as follows:

 

Class                                  Marks (%)

            Distinction                                                      70 and above

            Credit                                                              60-69

            Pass                                                                 50-59  

The University Senate shall withdraw or recall any award found to have been obtained fraudulently or in any other manner other than what is provided for in this programme

Department
Meteorology

© University of Nairobi 2019.  All rights Reserved.