Overview
This is a collaborative Programme between the Departments of Botany and Zoology. The first two years of study are designed to give the students a broad but well detailed coverage of biology including introductory courses in Microbiology. During this time the students will also take foundation courses in chemistry and biochemistry. This will enable them to gain a better understanding of how microorganisms function and to appreciate the diversity of their roles in nature during the later part of the course.
In the last two years of study, the Microbiology/Biotechnology Programme will endeavor to expose the students to the immense biotechnological potential that microorganisms have and how it is exploited for economic benefit in the modern age.? Students who have successfully gone through the programme should be able to find employment opportunities in food and pharmaceutical industries; medical; agricultural and other research institutions; quality control and even diagnostic laboratories among others.
Course Duration
The Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Biotechnology 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.
The philosophy of the program is to provide for the learners needs and endeavors to acquire knowledge and skills in microbiology and biotechnology for gainful employment and application in job creation and social economic development of the country.
In the Kenya Vision 2030 development strategy, Science, Technology and Innovation is recognized as one of the six key sectors to be given priority as a key growth driver for achievement of the economic vision. The rationale of the BSc Microbiology and Biotechnology degree program is to catalyze realization of the Vision by equipping students with knowledge and skills required to work in agriculture; health, manufacturing industry and environment sectors in harnessing the enormous potential of microorganisms by turning ideas into processes and processes into valuable products. Graduates of the program will also find job opportunities in research institutions and/or enroll for higher degrees in the field of microbiology or microbiological sciences.
Objectives of the programme
At the end of this programme the learner should be able to:
- Demonstrate a wide knowledge and understanding of basic concepts in biology, organic and inorganic chemistry and also Mathematics applicable in biological sciences.
- Describe the basic principles in bacteriology, mycology, phycology, protozoology and virology.
- Discuss the application of microorganisms and biotechnology in industry, agriculture, health and environment among others sectors of the economy.
- Apply the knowledge and skills learned to control microorganisms.
- Use the knowledge and skills learned to carry out basic tests in a microbiology laboratory.
- Write a scientific research project proposal on a selected topic; plan and carry out the experiments; collect and analyze the data and compile an appropriate project report.
- Develop hands-on experience in working independently in a microbiology laboratory.
Mode of Delivery
This will include lecturers, class/group discussions, class presentations and tutorials.
Open, Distance Learning, and e-Learning (ODeL)
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 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
- Courses shall be evaluated in terms of units; a course unit being defined as a series of 35 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 Faculty Board and approved by Senate.
- Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Biotechnology degree shall take a minimum of 44 units during the four years of study, distributed as follows:-
- In the first year of study a candidate is required to take a minimum of THREE course units from EACH of the Departments of Botany and Zoology, TWO course units from the Department of Chemistry, ONE course unit from the Department of Mathematics and THREE other units from the Common Undergraduate Courses.
- In the 2 nd year of study, a candidate is required to take the recommended 12 course units in the Departments of Botany & Zoology.
- In the 3 rd year of study a candidate will be required to take the recommended TEN course units in the Departments of Botany and Zoology.
- In the 4 th year of study a candidate will be required to take the recommended NINE units in the Department of Botany and Zoology. He/she will also be required to undertake a research project equivalent to ONE unit in his/her 4 th year of study and to submit a dissertation for examination.
- Additional course units may be taken with the approval of the Departments of Botany and Zoology and the Dean Faculty of Science
- A candidate may be exempted from some courses and credit transferred from approved institutions subject to the following conditions.
- Request for exemption shall be made in writing, on admission, to the Dean of the Faculty of Science and must be accompanied by officially endorsed supporting documents, including the syllabuses for the relevant courses.
- Application for exemption will be considered only after the payment of an exemption fee as may be prescribed.
- Where the Faculty resolves that exemption can only be granted through a test, the candidate shall be required to sit and pass the Ordinary Examinations in the appropriate units.
- The courses on which such exemption is sought shall not exceed one-third (1/3) of the total units for the relevant degree Programme.
1. Courses shall be evaluated in terms of units; a course unit being defined as a series of45 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 as may be recommended by the School of Biological Sciences Board and approved by Senate.
2. Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Biotechnology degree program shall take a minimum of 44 units during the four years of study, distributed as follows:-
3. In the first year of study a candidate shall take a minimum of twelve (12) course units distributed as follows: seven (7) prescribed course units in the School of Biological Sciences; two (2) course units from the department of chemistry and three (3) other units from the common undergraduate courses.
4. In the second year of study, a candidate shall take the recommended twelve (12) course units in the School of Biological Sciences.
5. In the third year of study, a candidate shall take the recommended ten (10) course units in the School of Biological Sciences
6. In the fourth year of study, a candidate shall take the recommended nine (9) units in the School of Biological Sciences. He/She shall also undertake a supervised research project equivalent to one (1) course unit and submit a typed and bound project report for examination.
7. Additional course units may be taken with the approval of the Director, School of Biological Sciences. However, candidates should take note of Examination Regulation 1.7.8 (b) regarding degree award.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have obtained the minimum University of Nairobi and School of Biological Sciences general admission requirements. They must have at least one of the following qualifications:
- A minimum of KCSE mean grade C+, with C+ in Biology/Biological Sciences and C plain in both Chemistry and Mathematics in or its equivalent.
- A minimum of KCSE mean grade C or KCE Division III plus Ordinary/ Higher National Diploma in Biology/Biological Sciences or its equivalent with a minimum of a credit pass
- KACE or IGSCE/GCE- A level or equivalent with 2 principal passes in Biology and Chemistry and at least a credit pass in Mathematics at Ordinary level of Education.
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, with a pass of not less than five in biology, Chemistry and Mathematics.
- A degree or its equivalent in biological sciences from a recognized University.
Regulation for Credit Transfers
A candidate may be exempted from some courses and credit transferred from approved institutions subject to the following conditions:
- Request for exemption shall be made in writing on admission, to the Director, School of Biological Sciences and must be accompanied by officially endorsed supporting documents, including the syllabi for the relevant courses.
- Application for exemption will be considered only after the payment of an exemption fee as may be prescribed by the School of Biological Sciences.
- Where the School resolves that exemption can only be granted through a test, the candidate shall be required to sit and pass the Ordinary Examinations in the appropriate units.
- The courses on which such exemption is sought shall not exceed one-third (1/3) of the total units for the relevant degree program.
Schedule of intakes
The intake is in September
Careers
Jobs/Attachment opportunities
- Research eg ILRI, KEMRI
- Teaching eg TVET
- Biosafatey eg KALRO
- Diagnostics eg KEMRI
Fees and Funding
| BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY - I23 | |||
| YEAR1 -12UNITS | |||
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | TOTALS | |
| TUITION | 144,000 | 144,000 | 288,000 |
| 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 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 1,000 | |
| CAUTION - (ONCE) | 5,000 | 0 | 5,000 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
| 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 | 178,750 | 152,250 | 331,000 |
| YEAR 2 -12UNITS | |||
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | TOTALS | |
| TUITION | 144,000 | 144,000 | 288,000 |
| 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 | 173,750 | 152,250 | 326,000 |
| YEAR 3 -10UNITS | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | TOTALS |
| TUITION | 144,000 | 144,000 | 288,000 |
| 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-Microbiology and Biotechnology-yr 3 | 172,750 | 151,250 | 324,000 |
| YEAR 4 -10UNITS | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | TOTALS |
| TUITION | 144,000 | 144,000 | 288,000 |
| 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 | 1,000 | |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 1,000 | |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 4,000 | 4,000 | |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500 | 6,500 | |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000 | 2,000 | |
| Total-Microbiology and Biotechnology-yr4 | 172,750 | 151,250 | 324,000 |
| Grand TOTALS | 1,305,000 | ||
Exam Regulations
The general rules and regulations governing examinations and award of degrees in the Faculty of Science, University of Nairobi shall apply.
- All courses shall be examined by Ordinary Examinations during the academic year in which they are taken. Such Ordinary Examinations shall consist of continuous assessment and a TWO-HOUR end of semester examination for EACH UNIT.? Unless otherwise stated, end of semester examinations will comprise of 70% of the total course marks whereas continuous assessment will account for 30%.? Continuous assessment shall consist of several evaluations based on a suitable combination of practicals, tutorial, assignments and class tests.
- Each unit shall be graded out of a maximum of 100 marks, and the pass mark for each unit shall be 40%.? Marks shall be translated into letter grades as follows:-
70 - 100% A
60 - 69% B
50 - 59% C
40 - 49% D
39% and below E
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 faculty Board of Examiners 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 Faculty Board of Examiners and approval by senate, be considered for award of a degree, subject to Regulation 1
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 Faculty Board of Examiners and approval by Senate be allowed to proceed conditionally? to the subsequent year of study, but shall be required to resit the end of semester examinations? in the failed or incomplete units, subject to the following conditions:
-
- For each unit, the candidate shall resit the examination, maximum of two times, during any appropriate end of semester examinations before the end of the 4 th year of study.
- Any unit resat as a failed unit shall be marked out of 100% and continuous assessment shall not be taken into account; a score of less that 40% shall be retained as the agreed marks but for a score of 40% or above, the agreed marks shall be indicated as 40%.
- Any unit resat as an incomplete unit shall be marked like an Ordinary Examination.
-
-
The candidate must pass an appropriate number of the resat units before being considered for award of a degree, in accordance with Regulation 1.
-
Passes in SIX to SEVEN units in the 4th year of study shall, on the recommendation of the Faculty Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be subject to Regulation 2.
A candidate shall, on the recommendation of the Faculty Board of Examiners 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 in FOUR to FIVE units in the 3rd or 4th year of study
- For any other reasons, subject to the following conditions:
-
Normally 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, regulation 3 notwithstanding.
-
Any repeated unit shall be marked like an Ordinary Examination.
A candidate shall normally be required to discontinue from University if:
- In any year of study the candidate passes in less than FOUR units,
- The candidate fails to follow the prescribed units.
