Overview
B.Sc. Biology is a program that places emphasis on disciplines that relate to natural resource management such as parasitology, entomology, microbiology and molecular biology. It is expected that these students shall have a broad-based foundation in biology including molecular biology, to provide graduates who will directly contribute to food production and poverty eradication.
Furthermore, the course is designed to produce capability for food processing industries and development, environmental protection and park development which requires specialists in biology and computer mathematical modelling in addition to taxonomists.
Course Duration
The Bachelor of Science in Biology is a 4-year degree programme offered on a full-time basis or by blended mode of open and distance learning with face-to-face sessions.
Biology is a basic science that is crucial to several sectors of the economy including agriculture, human and animal health, safe and clean environment, biotechnology, conservation of natural resources. BSc. Biology was started in 1999 after needs assessment showed there was a demand for such a programme aimed at producing graduates specialised in biological sciences who can meet some of the outlined challenges faced in the country. Subsequent revisions have continually realigned the programme to emerging national needs and global trends in biological sciences.
The rationale of the Programme
BSc. Biology produces graduates with the knowledge and practical skills in life sciences that prepare them to contribute directly to food security, health and poverty eradication. Furthermore, the course is designed to produce capability for food processing industries, environmental protection and wildlife conservation which require specialists in biology. In this programme, students take other selected relevant science units during their 1st and 2nd year of study aimed at giving them a broader and better understanding of modern biology.
The revised programme broadens the options for students to choose from in their 3rd and 4th years of study. Specialization in either botany or zoology will be offered on application to a few selected students whose academic performance in 1st and 2nd year of study is outstanding. Fourth-year students undertaking the specialized programme have the opportunity to conduct a supervised individual research project and eventually submit a dissertation for examination.
Objectives of the programme
- To produce holistic graduates by equipping learners with a broad-based foundation in biology including emerging areas in molecular biology and biotechnology.
- To equip learners with the knowledge and practical skills in the following broad areas of biology: ecology, parasitology, entomology, physiology, taxonomy, microbiology, genetics and molecular biology; that prepare them to directly contribute to food security, health and poverty eradication.
Modes of Delivery of the Programme
The programme will be delivered through a variety of face-to-face methods such as lectures, tutorials, laboratory or field-based practical lessons, demonstrations, individual or group assignments and presentations
The ODeL mode of study will run for a minimum of eight (8) semesters of twenty-four (24) weeks each and a maximum of sixteen (16) semesters from the date of registration.
The ODeL mode of study will be offered using the multi-media approach, including a variety of self-instructional print and electronic study materials. In addition, there will be limited face-to-face instructional mode during residential training. The face-to-face instruction shall not exceed one third (1/3) of the instruction time.
Teaching and learning process:
https://biology.uonbi.ac.ke/basic-page/teaching-and-learning-process
Schedule of intakes
The intake is in September
https://uonbi.ac.ke/content/how-apply
Contacts of Support Persons
For enquiries, kindly contact us via:
Email: chair-dept.biology@uonbi.ac.ke
Tel: +254204442316
Structure
The Bachelor of Science in Biology is a 4-year degree programme offered on a full-time basis or by blended mode of open and distance learning with face-to-face sessions.
- Courses shall be evaluated in terms of units; a course unit being defined as a series of 45 one-hour lecture equivalents. For this purpose, one 1-hour lecture is equivalent to one 2-hour tutorial or one 3-hour practical or any combination of these that may be recommended by the School’s Academic Board and approved by the Senate.
- Candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology shall take a minimum of 44-course units during the four years of study, distributed as shown in 1.10.1. All core courses are compulsory.
- In the first year of study, a candidate is required to take a minimum of SIX course units from the School of Biological Sciences, THREE course units from the Department of Chemistry PLUS THREE Common Undergraduate Courses.
- In the 2nd year of study, a candidate is required to take a minimum of TEN course units from the School of Biological Sciences PLUS TWO course units from the Department of Chemistry.
- In each of the third and fourth years of study, a candidate is required to take 10-course units in each year distributed according to one of the following combinations detailed in 1.10.1
- Botany/Zoology: Students must take 4 biology core units, 3 botany core and 3 zoology units from any three options.
- Botany major: Students must take 4 biology core units and 6 botany units 3 of which are core.
- Zoology major: Students must take 4 biology core units, and 6 units from any three Zoology options.
Admission Requirements
Registration as candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Biology shall be permitted only for those who satisfy the prescribed minimum University general admission requirements. In addition to meeting the minimum University general admission requirements, candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Biology degree programme must have any of the following:
- Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with a minimum mean grade of C+ or equivalent qualifications, and a minimum of C+ in Biology or Biological Sciences and C+ in any other two science subjects from the following: Chemistry, Physics, Physical Sciences, Geography and Mathematics.
- Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE) with at least two Principal level passes one of which must be in Biology and the other in any other science subject from the following: Mathematics, Chemistry, Geography, Physics.
- Ordinary/Higher National Diploma or equivalent in Biology or Biological Sciences with a credit pass or equivalent qualification.
- A degree from a recognized university, or equivalent qualifications.
Schedule of intakes
The intake is in September
Careers
Jobs/Attachment opportunities
- Agricultural and Medical Research. eg KALRO, KEFRIS, KEPHIS
- Solutions to boost Food security and alleviate poverty. eg KALRO, ILRI
- Promotion of Wildlife and Environmental Conservation measures.eg KWS
Fees and Funding
| BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY - I11 | |||
| YEAR 1 -12UNITS | |||
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | TOTALS | |
| TUITION | 132,000 | 132,000 | 264,000 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 6,000 | 6,000 | 12,000 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000 | 0 | 7,000 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250 | 2,250 | 4,500 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
| CAUTION - (ONCE) | 5,000 | 0 | 5,000 |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500 | 0 | 6,500 |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000 | 0 | 2,000 |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 4,000 | 0 | 4,000 |
| Total-Biology Year 1 | 166,750 | 140,250 | 307,000 |
| YEAR 2 -12UNITS | |||
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | TOTALS | |
| TUITION | 132,000 | 132,000 | 264,000 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 6,000 | 6,000 | 12,000 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000 | 0 | 7,000 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250 | 2,250 | 4,500 |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 4,000 | 0 | 4,000 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500 | 0 | 6,500 |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000 | 0 | 2,000 |
| Total-Biology Year 2 | 161,750 | 140,250 | 302,000 |
| YEAR 3 -10UNITS | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | TOTALS |
| TUITION | 132,000 | 132,000 | 264,000 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 5,000 | 5,000 | 10,000 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000 | 0 | 7,000 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250 | 2,250 | 4,500 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 4,000 | 0 | 4,000 |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500 | 0 | 6,500 |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000 | 0 | 2,000 |
| Total-Biology Year 3 | 160,750 | 139,250 | 300,000 |
| YEAR 4 -10UNITS | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | TOTALS |
| TUITION | 132,000 | 132,000 | 264,000 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 5,000 | 5,000 | 10,000 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000 | 7,000 | |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250 | 2,250 | 4,500 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 4,000 | 0 | 4,000 |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500 | 0 | 6,500 |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000 | 2,000 | |
| Total-Biology Year 4 | 160,750 | 139,250 | 300,000 |
| Grand TOTALS | 1,209,000 |
Exam Regulations
The examinations shall be governed by the general regulations for the Bachelor of Science degree in the School of Biological Science and on approval by Senate.
- All courses taken during a semester shall be examined at the end of each semester of study.
- Such Ordinary Examinations shall consist of continuous assessments and a two-hour end of semester examination for each unit.
- Unless otherwise stated, the final end-of-semester examination mark will comprise of 70 % written examination and 30% continuous assessment.
- Continuous assessment shall consist of several evaluations based on a suitable combination of class tests, practical assessments, tutorials and assignments.
- Each unit shall be graded out of a maximum of 100 %, and the pass mark for each unit shall be 40%.
- A candidate who fails to sit for an examination at the end of semester due to a valid reason may, on the recommendation of the School of Biological Sciences (SBS) Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be admitted to Special Examinations at the end of the academic year. Special Examinations shall be graded as Ordinary Examinations.
- A candidate who fails to satisfy the Examiners by attaining the 40% pass mark may on the recommendation of the School of Biological Sciences Academic Board of Examiners herein after called the School Academic Board be permitted to sit for a supplementary examination in the failed course unit.
- A candidate who, whether by Ordinary or Special examinations or after repeating the year of study;
- Passes in at least TEN units in the 1st or 2nd year of study, or at least eight units in the 3rd year of study shall, on the recommendation of the School Academic Board and approval by Senate, be allowed to proceed to the subsequent year of study;
- Passes in at least EIGHT units in the 4th year of study shall, on the recommendation of the School Academic Board and approval by Senate, be considered for award of the degree.
- A candidate who, whether by Ordinary or Special examinations or after repeating the year of study:
- Passes in seven to nine units in the 1st or 2nd year of study, or in six to seven units in the 3rd year of study shall, on the recommendation of the School Academic Board and approval by Senate, be admitted to supplementary examinations in the courses failed which must be passed before proceeding to the subsequent year of study.
- Any unit which a candidate sits a supplementary shall be marked out of 100 % and maximum mark indicated as 40 %.
- A candidate who after sitting a supplementary examination in the first or second year passes in less than ten units shall be required to repeat the year.
- A candidate who after sitting a supplementary examination in the third or fourth year passes in less than eight units shall be required to repeat the year.
- Passes in eight course units in the 4th year of study shall, on the recommendation of the School Academic Board and approval by Senate, qualify for award of the degree.
- A candidate shall, on the recommendation of the School Academic Board and approval by Senate, be allowed to repeat the year of study:If the candidate passes in four to six units in the 1st or 2nd year of study,
- If the candidate passes four to five units in the 3rd or 4th year of study,
- For any other valid reasons, such as sickness.
Subject to the following conditions:
- A candidate shall be allowed to repeat a year of study only once.
- A candidate repeating a particular year of study will be required to take only the units previously failed or not completed and shall not be allowed to register for additional units.
- Any repeated unit shall be marked like an Ordinary Examination.
-
- A candidate shall be discontinued from University if:
-
- In any year of study the candidate passes in less than four units.
- The candidate fails to follow the prescribed units.
