Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Applied Aquatic Science

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Aquatic Science is a four-year programme that prepares students for the management, conservation and sustainable use of aquatic resources. Students study aquatic ecology, fisheries, aquaculture, limnology, water quality, aquatic biodiversity, resource management and research. The programme provides scientific and practical skills for aquatic ecosystems, fisheries and aquaculture industries.

Students develop competencies in aquatic biology, fish biology, aquaculture, water quality management, aquatic ecology, fisheries management, aquatic resource conservation and research. They learn to manage fisheries, design aquaculture systems, assess water quality, conserve aquatic ecosystems and support sustainable livelihoods. The programme covers aquatic science, fisheries, aquaculture, limnology, water resources and conservation.

In Kenya, aquatic science is important for Lake Victoria, Lake Naivasha, the Indian Ocean coastline, rivers, dams and wetlands. Egerton University, Kisii University, University of Nairobi and other institutions offer this programme. Graduates find roles in fisheries departments, research institutes, aquaculture enterprises, environmental agencies, NGOs and water resource management.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, laboratory practicals, field work, industrial attachment and research projects. Students sample aquatic ecosystems, identify fish species, analyse water quality and undertake a final research project.

Graduates pursue careers as fisheries officers, aquaculture specialists, aquatic scientists, water quality technicians, marine biologists, conservation officers and research assistants. Some work in government. Others join aquaculture farms, research, NGOs or environmental consultancies.

This programme is ideal for individuals with interest in water, fisheries, marine life and environmental conservation.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 324,000
Private, up to: Ksh 170,700
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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Aquatic Ecology
Fish Biology and Taxonomy
Limnology and Oceanography
Aquaculture
Fisheries Management
Water Quality and Pollution
Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation
Aquatic Resource Economics
Aquatic Biotechnology
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Aquatic Ecology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Ecosystems, food webs, habitats and aquatic communities. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Fish Biology and Taxonomy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fish anatomy, physiology, classification and identification. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Limnology and Oceanography
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Inland and marine water systems, circulation and chemistry. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...
Aquaculture
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Aquaculture: Fish farming, hatchery management, nutrition and culture systems Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Fisheries Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Fisheries Management: Fish stocks, harvesting, regulations and sustainable management Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Water Quality and Pollution
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Water chemistry, pollution, monitoring and remediation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests,...
Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Biodiversity, conservation, protected areas and restoration. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Aquatic Resource Economics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Economics of fisheries, aquaculture and aquatic resources. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Aquatic Biotechnology
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Aquatic Biotechnology: Genetic improvement, breeding and biotechnology in aquaculture Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Fish Processing and Technology
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Post-harvest handling, processing, quality and safety. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, ...
Integrated Water Resources Management
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Water resource management, governance and sustainability. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment test...
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research in applied aquatic science. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, course...

Specialisations

Aquaculture
Specialization in Aquaculture, preparing graduates for careers such as aquaculture-specialist. 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.
Aquatic Resource Economics
Specialization in Aquatic Resource Economics, preparing graduates for careers such as agricultural-economist.
Water Quality Management
Specialization in Water Quality Management, preparing graduates for careers such as water-quality-technician.
Aquatic Conservation
Specialization in Aquatic Conservation, preparing graduates for careers such as conservation-officer.
Fisheries Management
Specialization in Fisheries Management, preparing graduates for careers such as fisheries-officer. 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.
Aquatic Ecology
Specialization in Aquatic Ecology, preparing graduates for careers such as marine-biologist. 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.

A day as a student

A typical day combines aquatic science lectures with laboratory or field work. Students may sample water, identify fish, conduct water quality tests, visit aquaculture farms or analyse aquatic data.

The trade offs

In its favour

Relevant to Kenya's lakes, rivers, coast and aquaculture
Diverse careers in fisheries, aquaculture and conservation
Contributes to food security and environmental conservation
Practical field and laboratory training

Against it

Field work may involve water-based activities and remote areas
Some aquatic science jobs are limited to specific geographic regions
Aquaculture and fisheries can be affected by climate change and pollution
Some roles require postgraduate training for research leadership

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 303 agriculture courses

Public277k to 324k

277k at Egerton University324k at University of Nairobi

Private121k to 171k

121k at Mount Kenya University171k at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton

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

Egerton 276,740/yr (educationnewshub KUCCPS). UoN 324,000/yr (UoN schedule). MKU 121,200, UEAB 170,700/yr.

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some fisheries research institutes and environmental organisations offer internships.

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
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties

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

English or Kiswahili
C+
Biology or Biological Sciences
C+
Chemistry or Physical Sciences
C
Mathematics A/B or Geography
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark
Laboratory and Field Practicals
Coursework40% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
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

Aquaculture Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Designs and manages fish farming systems
Aquatic Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Researches aquatic ecosystems and resources
Fisheries Officer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages fisheries resources and regulations
Water Quality Technician
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Monitors and manages water quality
Conservation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Protects aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as fisheries officers, aquaculture specialists, aquatic scientists, water quality technicians, marine biologists, conservation officers and research assistants in fisheries departments, research institutes, aquaculture enterprises, environmental agencies, NGOs and water resource management.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Farm financial modelling and analysis.
QuickBooks
Accounting
Agribusiness accounting.
SAP Agricultural Contract Management
Erp
Agricultural contract and supply management.
R
AnalyticsPrimary
QGIS
Analytics

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Applied aquatic science is only about fishing
It covers aquatic ecology, conservation, aquaculture, water quality, biodiversity and resource management.
There are no jobs in aquatic science
Aquatic scientists work in fisheries, aquaculture, conservation, research, environmental management and water resources.
Aquatic science is only for coastal or lakeside areas
Aquatic resources include rivers, dams, wetlands and aquaculture systems across Kenya.
Aquaculture is not sustainable
Sustainable aquaculture practices can improve food security and reduce pressure on wild fisheries.