This is a unique Masters program which emphasis is on case studies, field work and research in the renewable energy sector in rural and urban context of Nepal. This Master course focuses on the planning, designing, policy making and management of energy systems and formulating strategies. The course philosophy is to progress the students from overall planning (macro) to detailed planning and design (micro) in a ‘whole to part approach’. The program is structured with an objective to produce graduates who will have in-depth knowledge of energy planning, analysis and formulating strategies so that they have capability to accept both technical and management responsibilities. An important influence is real life problem based learning including case studies and problem solving with quantitative and qualitative models.

The course structure is based on the Semester system. The detailed course structure, examination scheme, marks, etc. are listed in detailed course structure sheet. The sequence of delivery of courses is accordingly planned. Each semester consists of teaching theories and concepts, methods, planning strategies, design, policy and stakeholders issues related to sustainability and energy. Each year is divided in first and second Semester. In first year first semester, four core courses are offered. The first semester courses will focus on introducing sustainable energy design, energy technologies, sustainable energy in rural and urban planning and research methodology. In second semester, two core courses related to case study research (combined with field work) and sustainable energy planning and policy analysis are offered. Four different elective subjects are offered in second and third semester. The second semester offers elective courses on energy and rural reconstruction, off grid energy solutions for urban/rural areas and management of micro level clean energy project.

The second year, first semester consists of two elective courses and one group projects. Two elective courses from different fields are offered in this semester. In this semester, the students get training in case study research in combination with stakeholder inclusion and gender mainstreaming and one inter departmental elective course. The second year second semester is entirely allocated for dissertation work. The dissertation shall be individual’s work and be extensive and normally field based. Students shall be encouraged to publish research papers in national and international journals as an outcome of their dissertation work. The students will combine theory, methods, designs and practical use in their dissertation. The dissertation allows the students to summarize, analyse and present their findings to a broader audience among others in the International/national conference with Master students’ presentations.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Detail Course Format MSESSD

Note

• Total Credit = 60 Credits.
• Course work, directed study, field case study and projects = 44 Credits
• Dissertation Thesis = 16 Credits
• Depending on the interest of students only two electives are offered in each term.
• Minimum number of students in each elective should be 6.

Core and Elective Courses

The course consists of two types of courses: the Core Courses which deal with the fundamental theory and the Elective Courses which deal with the specific details of the course. Similarly, conferences and seminars are organized time to time to make students update with the current situation in energy, sustainability and social world. Also students are encouraged to participate in various national and international conferences.

The core courses of the Energy for Sustainable Social Development program focuses on the fundamentals of sustainable energy designing, planning, analysis, modeling and management in rural and urban area. Elective courses chosen will enable students to focus their courses to their technical interests to specific topics in energy in rural reconstruction, micro level energy management in society, energy solution in urban and rural planning and energy management with gender basis. In addition, required project works will provide hands-on real world experience with field and case study.

Group Project Work

The purpose of the group project in second year, second semester is to provide an opportunity for the group of students to investigate, analyze and to provide possible solution to an existing energy related problems in urban and rural society. The group project must be completed in the allocated term. The group project may be done in small group normally two to four students per group.

Dissertation /Master’s Thesis

The main objective of Master’s Degree Dissertation is to carry out original research work concerning energy, sustainability, social and development related problems and solve those problems. Students are encouraged to publish articles in national and international journals.