The Department of Civil and Building Engineering has continued to produce more engineering graduates who are contributing to the country’s development. However, there are key sectors that have not registered significant developments despite the additional numbers and efforts by government and other development partners. According to the Uganda Water and Environment sector performance report 2015, the country has not been achieving its water and sanitation targets in the last years (MWE, 2015) and the recommendations call for a better understanding of the problems before suggesting solutions. This shows the need to train practicing professionals in advanced research skills to be able to address the water and sanitation challenges, and the Department of Civil and Building Engineering has partly developed this programme to meet the market demand. In addition, this programme will give opportunity for exceptional students who would be interested to enter into the field of research and academia immediately after their undergraduate.

Many engineers and scientists with good first degrees who wish to further their qualifications cannot afford the cost of studying in universities abroad.  Currently only one University offers MSc degrees in civil engineering and it cannot absorb the entire demand. Thus the need to design a Master’s programme tailored to meet the needs at this level.  The Master of Science in Water and Sanitation Engineering degree will be designed to address the above demand gap and enhance Uganda’s capacity in training, research, development and modernisation.

Target Group

The targeted group includes holders of:

• Degrees in Civil Engineering or it’s equivalent in this or related engineering field;

Programme Objectives

The objectives of the programme are to:

• Produce graduate engineers who are well equipped in theoretical, analytical and practical technical skills to guide and manage the infrastructure development and construction industry;
• Train people who will be able to advance in research and development;
• Train personnel to work in government and private institutions.

Admission to the Master of Science in Water and Sanitation Engineering shall be done in accordance with the Kyambogo University procedures and regulations.

In addition, a candidate shall be eligible for admission to the programme on meeting any of the following minimum qualifications:

(a)     At least an Upper Second class honours Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Physical Sciences from a recognised institution.

(b)     At least a Lower Second class honours Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from a recognised institution and relevant work experience of at least two years;

(c)     A Pass degree in Civil Engineering plus a post-graduate diploma in Civil Engineering or related field from a recognised institution and at least three years relevant work experience

Duration of the Programme

The Master of Science in Water and Sanitation Engineering is a full-time day and evening programme of a duration of four semesters and ordinarily, a student is not expected to spend more than eight (8) semesters on the programme.

The first two semesters will be by coursework while the last two semesters will be by research and dissertation.  Each semester shall consist of seventeen (17) weeks: fifteen (15) weeks of teaching and two (2) weeks of examination.  There will be only one break of two weeks between the teaching semesters.

By the end of the programme, learners should be able to:

• Explain in-depth the theoretical and practical aspects of Civil Engineering;
• Plan, design, tender for and execute Civil Engineering projects by working with and for other partners or self-employment;
• Carry out research and innovation in Engineering and related fields;
• Impart the acquired knowledge and skills to other interested persons.