Introduction to Wetland Research

ENS 476: Introduction To Wetland Research

Course Description:

This is an INTENSIVE SIX CREDITS Course aimed at strengthening the applied research skills of UB 3rd-year undergraduate students. The course involves classroom instructions followed by the development and presentation of mini-project proposals, undertaking field/lab-work, data processing/analysis, report writing and presentation to ORI staff. All the mini projects are undertaken in the context of ongoing research programmes/projects at the UB’s Okavango Research Institute (ORI), Maun.  The minimum requirement for the course is a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above at Level 300.

Application Requirements:

Students applying for the course should submit:

1. An application letter specifying one or two research areas of interest, including but not limited, to the following list:
   • Natural resource management – Transboundary water management
   • Water resource governance- spatial policy, human settlement, population and migration
   • Water and land governance – sustainability, waste management, land use policy and planning
   • Rural development – livelihoods, sustainable agriculture (Game farming/agro-tourism)
   • Economics- ecosystem services valuation
   • Tourism development – tourism economics, tourism marketing, ecotourism
   • Hydrology
   • Hydro ecology – floodplain dynamics (water, nutrients and plants)
   • Disease ecology – animal disease outbreak/ veterinary science
   • Landscape ecology – Plant ecology, wildlife, floods and fire management 
   • Rangeland ecology – herbivore ecology and conservation
   • Wildlife ecology - population, forage and movement, transboundary management of wildlife populations
   • Dryland vegetation – inventory, invasive species management
   • Microbiology
   • Biogeochemistry - nutrient cycling
   • Analytical/Environmental chemistry- trace metal cycling, uptake and bioaccumulation in biota
   • Physical geography
   • Climate change - impacts, adaptation, mitigation, financing, variability, modelling)
   • Public health - human health/ climate and health
      
2. A copy of 3rd year 1st-semester transcript or certified academic record.
3. A signed copy of the letter of sponsorship from a sponsor (e.g., DTEF, DTD, parent for self-sponsored).
4. A Level 300 research methods course will be an added advantage

Accommodation:

ORI has a self-catering tented camp facility with beddings. Costs for accommodation will be paid for by your sponsor.

Deadline for Applications:                                          

31st March 2026

Notification date for successful Applicants:              

15th April 2026

Email the application letter and copies of all required documents, and any enquiries regarding the course, to the Course Coordinator Dr Nashaat Mazrui at nmazrui@ub.ac.bw Tel: +267 681 7274 and copied to the Assistant Course Coordinator. Dr Dandy Badimo at dbadimo@ub.ac.bw Tel: +267 681 7271