Overview
The School offers Masters of Science in biological sciences which has 13 specializations namely:
- MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MEDICAL & VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY
- MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PLANT TAXONOMY AND ECONOMIC BOTANY
- MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
- MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PLANT ECOLOGY
- MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MYCOLOGY
- MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MICROBIOLOGY
- MASTER OF SCIENCE IN GENETICS
- MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY OF CONSERVATION
- MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HYDROBIOLOGY (FISHERIES MANAGEMENT OR MARINE AND FRESH WATER)
- MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY
- MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AQUACULTURE
- MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED PARASITOLOGY
All the M. Sc. courses will run for a minimum of two academic years and will be offered by coursework, examination and thesis. The coursework will consist of lectures, tutorials, practicals, field work in appropriate disciplines and seminars. On the successful completion of the first year, the students will devote their second year on research projects in the areas of their individual relevant disciplines then write and present a thesis.
Course Duration
The course shall be offered for a minimum period of 4 semesters and a maximum of 12 semesters and will be offered by coursework, examination and thesis.
Philosophy of the Programme
The philosophy of MSc in Biological sciences degree programme is that learners are facilitated by various instructional means and conducive environment to acquire advanced level of biological sciences knowledge and skills to enable them succeed in their careers and to make local and global contributions in biological sciences and related fields.
Rationale of the Programme
The expected role of the education sector is to equip learners with desired values, attitudes, knowledge, skills and competencies essential for productive employment. Vision 2030 has set wealth creation as one of its goals and targets the exploitation of available natural resources to spur development in agriculture, energy, water and health among other economic sectors. To contribute to the achievement of these aspirations, there is need for the university to offer relevant knowledge and hands-on training in form of practicals, projects and industrial linkages to enhance development of entrepreneurial skills.
The Master of Science in Biological Sciences degree programme responds to the goals of Vision 2030 by offering biological sciences knowledge and skills that can be applied in the exploitation of natural resources to drive the industrialization process. The programme has been formatted to comply with the Commission of University Education (CUE) guidelines for academic programmes.
Objectives of the programme
i) Provide high quality training in specialised areas at a national, regional and international level with up to date theoretical and practical knowledge.
ii) Produce personnel with specific skills who are capable of providing specialised services and other practical aspects.
iii) Train students in current trends in specialised areas.
iv) Draw interdisciplinary expertise and prepare the students to exploit information technology.
Mode of Delivery
All the M. Sc. courses will run for a minimum of two academic years and will be offered by coursework, examination and thesis. The coursework will consist of lectures, tutorials, practicals, field work in appropriate disciplines and seminars. On the successful completion of the first year, the students will devote their second year on research projects in the areas of their individual relevant disciplines then write and present a thesis.
Schedule of intakes
The intake is in September
Teaching and learning process:
https://biology.uonbi.ac.ke/basic-page/teaching-and-learning-process
Contacts of Support Persons:
For enquiries, kindly contact us via:
Email: chair-dept.biology@uonbi.ac.ke
Tel: +254204442316
Structure
The programme shall be offered for a period of not less than four and not more than twelve semesters
2. The programme will be offered by coursework, examination and thesis. Coursework shall consist of lectures, tutorials, practicals, fieldwork and seminars.
3. Students will be required to take all 11 core units and two additional elective units in either of the two specialisation options giving a total of 13 units.
4. On successful completion of the coursework, students will devote the rest the period in the programme to research in the chosen area of specialization of Entomology and writing a thesis.
Admission Requirements
Holders of a degree of the University of Nairobi of at least Upper Second Class Honours in
Biological Sciences, Botany, Zoology or Agriculture (in appropriate courses) or an equivalent
qualification from a university recognized by University of Nairobi Senate including relevant
units at undergraduate for appropriate M. Sc. course.
ii) Holders of a Lower Second Class Honours degree in Biological Sciences, Botany, Zoology or Agriculture (in appropriate courses) or an equivalent qualification from a university recognized
by University of Nairobi Senate including relevant units at undergraduate for appropriate M.
Sc. course plus at least two years relevant work/research experience evidenced by
publications.
ii) A pass degree in Biological Sciences, Botany, Zoology or Agriculture (in appropriate courses) or
an equivalent qualification from a university recognized by University of Nairobi Senate
including relevant units at undergraduate for appropriate M. Sc. course, plus at least five
years of documented relevant work/research experience evidenced by publications.
https://uonbi.ac.ke/content/how-apply
Careers
WHO ARE THE EMPLOYERS OF BIOLOGISTS/ ATTACHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
· Government Ministries
· Biological Research Institutes
· Organizations engaged in Biodiversity Conservation
· Non-Governmental Organizations
· Schools and Colleges
· Medical and Veterinary Pharmaceutical Firms
· Private sector
Fees and Funding
| MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES | |||||
| YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | TOTALS | |||
| Semester 1 - 5UNITS | Semester 2 - 5UNITS | Semester 1 - 4UNITS | Semester 2 - 4UNITS | ||
| TUITION | 156,000 | 156,000 | 156,000 | 156,000 | 624,000 |
| CAUTION - (ONCE) | 5,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5,000 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 5,000 | 5,000 | 4,000 | 4,000 | 18,000 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000 | 0 | 7,000 | 0 | 14,000 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250 | 2,250 | 2,250 | 2,250 | 9,000 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 0 | 1,000 | 0 | 2,000 |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500 | 0 | 6,500 | 0 | 13,000 |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 5,000 | 0 | 5,000 | 0 | 10,000 |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000 | 0 | 2,000 | 0 | 4,000 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 0 | 1,000 | 0 | 2,000 |
| THESIS EXAMINATION | 0 | 30,000 | 0 | 30,000 | |
| TOTALS | 190,750 | 163,250 | 214,750 | 162,250 | 731,000 |
| Grand TOTALS | 354,000 | 377,000 | 731,000 | ||
Exam Regulations
i. All the course units taken shall be examined in the semester in which they are offered.
ii. Examination of each course unit shall be by continuous assessment and a final written examination paper. Continuous assessment shall comprise 30% of the marks and the final examination paper shall comprise 70% of the marks in the examination.
iii. For each course unit, the written examination paper shall be of two-hour duration.
iv. The pass mark for any course unit shall be 50%.
v. A candidate who fails to obtain the pass mark in not more than four course unit shall be allowed to do a supplementary examination in the failed unit or units.
vi. A candidate who fails in at least 50% (seven units) of the total examined course units registered for in the programme shall be discontinued.
vii. A pass obtained by sitting a supplementary examination shall be recorded as 50%.
viii. A candidate who fails to obtain the pass mark in the second sitting of a supplementary examination or fails to complete the course within the prescribed period shall be discontinued.
The candidate shall present a thesis for examination. The candidate shall defend the research findings at a Board of Examiners meeting recommended by the School.
https://uonbi.ac.ke/content/how-apply
