Education

Bachelor of Arts in Education - Biology

This programme prepares students for careers teaching Biology at secondary school level, equipping them with biological science expertise and professional education training. Students develop expertise in biology, biological science, and education, enabling them to serve as qualified Biology teachers in secondary schools. The programme builds skills in cell biology, genetics, microbiology, botany, zoology, ecology, evolution,

anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, taxonomy, conservation biology, environmental biology, human biology, plant biology, animal biology, laboratory techniques, microscopy, dissection, field biology, education psychology, teaching methodology, curriculum development, assessment and evaluation, classroom management, educational technology, inclusive education, science pedagogy, laboratory safety, science practicals, and research methods. Graduates apply these skills to work as Biology

teachers, science teachers, biology lecturers, laboratory coordinators, science curriculum developers, education officers, and science consultants across secondary schools, teacher training colleges, the Ministry of Education, the TSC, the KICD, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), research institutions (KEMRI, KALRO), and as independent science education consultants in Kenya where Biology is a core science subject in

secondary schools, the STEM agenda is being promoted, the CBC curriculum emphasises scientific literacy, and the need for qualified Biology teachers creates demand for biology education professionals. Students examine how biological science, education theory, Kenya's education landscape including the CBC, STEM promotion, and science education, the regulatory framework including education regulations and TSC requirements, the

growing emphasis on STEM and scientific literacy, and the challenges of limited laboratory infrastructure and resources shape biology education practice across the country, where schools need qualified Biology teachers for effective science education. The programme combines classroom lectures, laboratory practicals, field work, teaching practice, project work, independent research, industrial attachment, and a final year biology

education research project or dissertation. Graduates pursue careers in biology teaching and education, or progress to MA in Biology Education, MA in Education, MSc in Biology, or PhD. The programme is ideal for students who are interested in biology, passionate about teaching, and want to build careers as Biology teachers in Kenya's education and science sectors.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 295,885
Private, up to: Ksh 191,100
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Cell Biology and Genetics
Botany and Zoology
Ecology and Conservation Biology
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Education Psychology and Teaching Methodology
Curriculum Development and Assessment
Science Pedagogy and Laboratory Management
Biotechnology and Microbiology
Biology Education Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Cell Biology and Genetics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, understanding cells, understanding genetics, and studying cellular and genetic processes.
Botany and Zoology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Botany, zoology, plant biology, animal biology, understanding plants, understanding animals, and studying plant and animal life.
Ecology and Conservation Biology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Ecology, conservation biology, ecosystems, biodiversity, understanding ecological processes, and supporting conservation.
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Human anatomy, human physiology, understanding the human body, understanding body systems, and studying human biological processes.
Education Psychology and Teaching Methodology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Education psychology, teaching methodology, understanding learning, understanding teaching methods, and applying psychology to science education.
Curriculum Development and Assessment
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Curriculum development, assessment and evaluation, designing biology curricula, assessing learning, and supporting effective curriculum and assessment.
Science Pedagogy and Laboratory Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Science pedagogy, laboratory management, teaching science, managing laboratories, ensuring laboratory safety, and supporting effective science teaching.
Biochemistry and Microbiology
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Biochemistry, microbiology, understanding biochemical processes, understanding microorganisms, and studying biochemistry and microbiology.
Biotechnology and Evolution
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Biotechnology, evolution, understanding biotechnology, understanding evolutionary processes, and studying biotechnology and evolution.
Biology Education Research Methods
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods, biology research, education research, conducting research, and applying research methods to biology education.
Teaching Practice / Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised teaching practice in a secondary school or attachment at a research institution, environmental organisation, or educational institution, applying biology education skills.
Final Biology Education Research Project or Dissertation
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final year biology education research project or dissertation, assessed through written report and oral defence.

Specialisations

Ecology and Environmental Biology Teaching
Specialises in teaching ecology, conservation biology, environmental biology, and supporting environmental education in schools.
Cell and Molecular Biology Teaching
Focuses on teaching cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology in secondary schools.
Human Biology and Health Education
Concentrates on teaching human anatomy, physiology, health education, and supporting human biology and health education in schools.
Science Laboratory Management
Focuses on laboratory management, science practicals, laboratory safety, and supporting effective laboratory operations in schools.
Science Curriculum and Education Development
Concentrates on science curriculum development, education policy, science programme management, and supporting science education development.

A day as a student

A typical day starts with a morning lecture on cell biology, genetics, or ecology, followed by laboratory practicals, teaching practice, or field work. Students work on laboratory experiments, microscopy, dissection, field biology surveys, lesson plans, teaching practice sessions, science project designs, and education research. Laboratory practicals with microscopes and biological specimens, field trips to study ecosystems and biodiversity, and teaching practice in secondary schools provide practical experience. Industrial attachment at a secondary school, research institution, or environmental organisation provides real-world experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Biology is a core science subject in high demand — STEM promotion creates strong demand for qualified Biology teachers.
TSC registration provides a clear career path with structured salary progression and benefits.
Practical and hands-on programme with laboratory work, field trips, and teaching practice — engaging and applied learning.

Against it

Teaching salaries start lower than research or corporate science sectors — career growth requires experience and postgraduate study.
Limited laboratory infrastructure in some schools — practical teaching can be challenging without adequate facilities.
Teacher deployment depends on TSC postings — graduates may need to relocate to areas where Biology teachers are needed.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public184k to 296k

184k at Laikipia University296k at Kisii University

Private110k to 191k

110k at Mount Kenya University191k at Kabarak University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Kisii 295.9K; Laikipia 183.6K/yr. MKU 110K; Kabarak 191.1K/yr. Src: KUCCPS, Elimu Centre

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships, and county government bursaries. Some science organisations and STEM initiatives offer scholarships.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Universities Fund Government Scholarship
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

TSC Teacher Training Support
BursaryKenyan
Teachers and trainee teachers in recognised institutions
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
Government-sponsored (KUCCPS) students in public universities. Awarded through the Higher Education Funding Model.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to accredited universities. Means-tested based on family income.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
SponsorshipKsh 500,000
Academically talented but economically disadvantaged African students at partner universities.
County Government Bursaries
GrantKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Criteria vary by county.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE
Alternative entry: Diploma holders with credit pass in Education, Biology, Science, or related fields from recognised institutions may join.

Biology or Biological Science
C (plain)
Chemistry or Mathematics or Physics
C (plain)
English or Kiswahili
C (plain)
Any other subject
C (plain)

How you are assessed

5 components

End of Semester Examinations
Exam40% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering cell biology, genetics, botany, zoology, ecology, anatomy, physiology, education psychology, and teaching methodology.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, biology assignments, laboratory reports, and education case studies throughout the semester.
Teaching Practice / Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum5% of the mark
Assessment of supervised teaching practice in a secondary school or attachment at a research institution, environmental organisation, or educational institution. Includes logbook, supervisor evaluation, and written report.
Final Biology Education Research Project or Dissertation
Research5% of the mark
Final year biology education research project or dissertation, assessed through written report and oral defence.
Project / Practical Assessment
Practicum20% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory experiments, microscopy, dissection, field biology surveys, lesson plans, teaching practice sessions, and science project designs.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). TSC registration is mandatory for teaching in public schools. KNAST membership enhances science teaching credentials.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. TSC registration is mandatory for teaching in public schools. KNAST membership enhances science teaching credentials.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Biology Teacher / Lecturer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 170,000
Teaches Biology, teaches biological science, supports education, and ensures effective biology teaching in secondary schools.
Environmental / Conservation Education Officer
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 180,000
Supports environmental education, supports conservation education, develops environmental materials, and supports environmental awareness.
Research Assistant / Education Researcher
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 180,000
Supports biological research, conducts education research, contributes to scientific knowledge, and supports evidence-based biology education.
Science Curriculum Developer / Education Officer
Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Develops science curricula, supports education policy, manages science programmes, and supports science education development.
Science Teacher / Laboratory Coordinator
Medium demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 170,000
Teaches science, manages laboratories, supports science practicals, and ensures effective laboratory and science education.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as Biology teachers, science teachers, and laboratory coordinators. Biology education is in high demand driven by STEM promotion. Starting salaries range from KES 40,000 to 65,000 per month (TSC scale), with experienced senior teachers and heads of department earning KES 80,000 to 180,000. Public secondary schools, private schools, international schools, and teacher training colleges offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for educational data management, extension planning and IT project tracking.
PowerPoint
SoftwarePrimary
Presentation tool for teaching, farmer training and extension education sessions.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for educational and extension research.
Google Classroom
Software
Learning management system for agricultural education and online teaching.
KoboToolbox
Software
Mobile data collection tool for field surveys and extension needs assessment.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Biology Education is just about memorising facts about living things.
This programme covers genetics, biotechnology, ecology, education psychology, teaching methodology, and laboratory techniques. It's a comprehensive science and education discipline.
Biology teachers have limited career options.
Biology is a core science subject in high demand. Graduates can also work in research institutions, environmental organisations, and science curriculum development.
You need to be brilliant in all sciences to teach Biology.
While a foundation in science helps, the programme teaches biology from foundational to advanced levels with proper support and teaching methodology training.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.