Environmental Science

Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Biology and Health)

The Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Biology and Health) is a four-year programme that prepares students for environmental health, biological environmental management and public health roles. Students study environmental biology, environmental health, public health, ecology and pollution. The programme focuses on the biological and health dimensions of environmental issues.

Students develop competencies in environmental health assessment, biological monitoring, public health, sanitation, pollution control and environmental risk assessment. They learn to assess environmental health risks, monitor biological indicators, manage sanitation and develop health interventions. The programme covers environmental biology, public health, ecology, environmental chemistry and health policy.

In Kenya, environmental health is critical for public health and disease prevention. The Ministry of Health, county governments and NEMA require environmental health professionals. Kenya's challenges with waterborne diseases, sanitation and pollution create demand. Graduates find roles in Ministry of Health, county governments, NEMA, public health organisations and consulting firms.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, fieldwork, health assessments, industrial attachment and research projects. Students analyse environmental health data, conduct field surveys, assess health risks and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as environmental health officers, public health officers, biological environmental analysts, sanitation officers and health consultants. Some work for the Ministry of Health or county governments. Others join NEMA, NGOs or consulting firms.

This programme is ideal for individuals with biology aptitude, health awareness and environmental interest.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 324,000
Private, up to: Ksh 184,150
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Environmental Biology and Ecology
Environmental Health and Public Health
Environmental Microbiology
Pollution and Health
Sanitation and Waste Management
Environmental Toxicology
Epidemiology and Disease Control
Water Quality and Health
Environmental Law and Health Policy
Research Methods and Biostatistics

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Environmental Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of environmental studies and health linkages. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Environmental Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Environmental Biology: Biological principles in environmental contexts and ecosystems Covers cellular processes, organismal biology, and ecological relationships.
Environmental Microbiology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Microorganisms in environment, water and soil microbiology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...
Environmental Health and Public Health
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Environmental Health and Public Health: Environmental health principles, public health and disease prevention Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practi...
Ecology and Biodiversity
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Ecosystem ecology, population dynamics and biodiversity. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Pollution and Health
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Pollution sources, health impacts and pollution control. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Sanitation and Waste Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Sanitation and Waste Management: Sanitation systems, waste management and environmental hygiene Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Environmental Toxicology
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Toxic substances in environment and health effects. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cou...
Epidemiology and Disease Control
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Epidemiology and Disease Control: Disease patterns, environmental epidemiology and control measures Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Water Quality and Health
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Water Quality and Health: Water quality standards, waterborne diseases and water treatment Covers clinical principles, patient care protocols, and evidence-based practice.
Environmental Law and Health Policy
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Environmental Law and Health Policy: Environmental health legislation, public health policy and regulations Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research on environmental biology and health. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment test...

Specialisations

Pollution Control
Specialization in Pollution Control, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Epidemiology
Specialization in Epidemiology, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Environmental Health
Specialization in Environmental Health, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Public Health
Specialization in Public Health, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Water and Sanitation
Specialization in Water and Sanitation, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Environmental Toxicology
Specialization in Environmental Toxicology, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on environmental biology or public health with afternoon laboratory sessions, fieldwork or health assessments. Students may analyse water samples, conduct health surveys, assess environmental risks or work on public health projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines biology, health and environmental science
Relevant to Kenya's public health and environmental challenges
Diverse career paths in health and environment sectors
Opportunity to improve public health through environmental action

Against it

Fieldwork and laboratory work can be demanding
Some positions may require public health registration
Exposure to health hazards requires safety protocols
Funding for health programmes can fluctuate

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 181 environmental science courses

Public245k to 324k

245k at Kenyatta University324k at University of Nairobi

Private121k to 184k

121k at Mount Kenya University184k 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

KU 244.8K/yr (ku.ac.ke). UoN 324K/yr (Schedule II). MKU 121.2K/yr, Kabarak 184K/yr.

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some health organisations and NGOs offer internship stipends.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Mathematics A/B or any Group II
C+
Biology
C+
Chemistry or Physics
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Laboratory Practicals and Fieldwork
Coursework20% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework20% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Public Health Officer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Implements public health programmes and environmental health interventions
Environmental Health Officer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages environmental health programmes and disease prevention
Sanitation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages sanitation programmes and waste management
Biological Environmental Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Analyses biological indicators of environmental health
Health Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Provides consulting on environmental health and public health

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as environmental health officers, public health officers, biological environmental analysts, sanitation officers and health consultants in Ministry of Health, county governments, NEMA, public health organisations and consulting firms.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R
Analytics
Python
Code
Google Earth Engine
Cloud
AutoCAD
Design
ArcGIS
Gis

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Environmental health is just about cleaning
Environmental health covers disease prevention, sanitation, pollution control and public health.
There are no jobs in environmental health
Ministry of Health, county governments and NEMA create demand.
Environmental biology and health is the same as medicine
The programme focuses on environmental factors affecting health, not clinical medicine.
Environmental health is only for rural areas
Environmental health is critical in both urban and rural settings.