Graduate Programmes

Overview of the PhD Programme 

The PhD programme is three (3) years. The method of teaching and transfer of information to students will be in the form of lectures, seminars and design exercises, fieldwork and tutorials. The Programme is a structured programme consisting of six (6) months of taught courses. There are six (6) major modules to be taken and each module lasts between three to four weeks. Also, each module has between two to three courses.

 

Thematic Areas of Research

1. Climate Change Vulnerabilty, Resilience and Adaptation 

2. Carbon Stocks Estimation and Sequestration 

3. Land Use Land Cover (LULC) Dynamics 

4. Climate Variability and Land Use/Land Cover Change on Land and Soil Quality 

5. Climate Change and Land Use Impacts on Eco-system Services 

6. Land Degradation Risks Assessment and Adaptation Strategies in a Varying Climate 

7. Crop Productivity 

8. GHG Emissions 

9. Hydrological Modelling and Flood Risks Management 

10. Climate Change Adaptation Modelling 

11. Heat Dynamics 

12. Relationship between Climate Change and Migration 

13. Sustainable Energy 

 

PhD Modules and Courses

Module	Module Name	Course Code	Course Name
1	Skills Development and Research Methodology	CCLU 711	Skills Development
		CCLU 713	Research Methodology
2	Geo-Spatial Analysis	CCLU 721	Basic Geographic Information Systems
		CCLU 723	Basic Remote Sensing
		CCLU 725	Advanced Remote Sensing
3	Statistics and Modelling Tools	CCLU 731	Statistics
		CCLU 733	Modelling Tools
4	Land Resources and Management	CCLU 742	Land Law and Resources Economics
		CCLU 744	Soil Management and Conservation
		CCLU 746	Dry Land Management
5	Ecosystem Functions and Land Use Modelling	CCLU 752	Land Ecosystem Functions
		CCLU 754	Integrated LU Models and Applications
6	Land and Climate Systems Interactions	CCLU 762	Climate Science
		CCLU 764	Biogeochemical Cycles
		CCLU 766	Assessment and Removal of GHGs
7	Thesis	CCLU 873	PhD Thesis

 

Research Phase Timetable

DURATION	Activity
Month 7	Proposal and budget presentation
	Finalize proposal and budget
	Student depart to home
	Results
Month 12	Students are to present Literature review.  This will help students focus on activities derived from their objectives.
Month 15	Students are expected to present work done and methodology of the progress report.
Month 16	Results (Preliminary)
Month 20	Students are expected to be on campus / online presentation
Month 21	Students are expected to present first draft paper.
Month 24	Students are expected to present a journal publication.
Month 27	End of Germany travels
Month 28	Students expected to be on campus
Month 30	The second draft paper is expected from students.
Month 32	Presentation of draft thesis
Month 34 to 36	Students are expected to submits their thesis to Graduate School and defend

 

Scholarship Opportunity

The DRP through the School of Graduate Studies, KNUST is pleased to announce availability of scholarships. All applicants are encouraged to indicate on the fee-paying forms their willingness or otherwise to be enrolled as self-financing students with alternative means of sponsorship in case they do not qualify for scholarship.

Scholarship-holding PhD fellows will receive a monthly stipend to cover accommodation and other expenses for the duration of the programme. Approved travel costs, costs for fieldwork, etc., will be reimbursed. The disbursement of scholarship funds will be connected to the successful delivery of research work deliverables to be agreed upon between the programme Director, the Supervisor, and the PhD fellow at the onset of the research work.

Field research will be sponsored after a successful course work and defence of a PhD proposal. The PhD fellow can travel to Germany once during the PhD fellowship period to participate in PhD level courses and joint supervision, if their conditions allow. The trip will be 3 – 6 months in duration. Airfare will be paid for by WASCAL and a monthly stipend to cater for lodging and personal expenses in Germany.

 

Entry Requirements

In conformity with the entry requirement of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the successful candidate will have a minimum of:

• Second Class (Upper Division) in their First degree and a good Master’s degree in Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering (Soil and Water Engineering option), Civil Engineering (Water Resources/Hydrology option), Geomatic Engineering, Natural Resources (Silviculture and Forestry, and Watershed management), Mathematics, Geography, Land Economy, Atmospheric Physics, Climatology, and other relevant disciplines, with an average of at least 60 %. Submit academic transcripts as evidence.
• English Proficiency as indicated below:
  • • Must have first or second degree with English language as the medium of instruction, OR
    • Must have an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language (TOEFL or IELTS) with above average score.
    • Otherwise the candidate will have to undertake a three-month pre-master’s intensive English course at University of Cape Coast.
• Full time availability for a period of forty-two months.
• Demonstrate adequate intellectual capacity, maturity and effective decision making and problem-solving potentials.
• Experience with modelling and GIS would be an advantage but not a prerequisite.
• Must be able to travel to Germany for a period of 3 - 6 months

 

Application Supporting Documents/Additional Information

• Completed application form
• Detailed CV
• Fee-paying form (Click here to download)
• Two letters of reference (one from a supervisor at the Master’s level)
• Proof of English proficiency
• Official transcripts for BSc and MSc degrees
• Photocopy of official certificates for BSc and MSc degrees
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• Evidence of current and previous employments (if applicable).
• Submit both soft and hard copies of a short concept note (max. 3 pages outlining the justification, objectives, methodology and expected outcomes of your research idea.
• Submit both soft and hard copies of a letter of motivation (max. two pages) with the heading “WASCAL DRP - CCLU PhD” outlining the following:
  • Why you want to study Climate Change and Land Use at the PhD level
  • Your current occupation
  • Why you are well-suited to study this programme
  • How your admission into the PhD Climate Change and Land Use Programme will fit into your professional vision
  • How your home country stands to benefit after your training

You may also add other relevant information and/or experience you feel is necessary to support your application.