Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Biotechnology

The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Biotechnology is a programme that combines biotechnology with agricultural science for crop and livestock improvement. Offered at Kenyatta University, JKUAT, Egerton University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in agricultural biotechnology research and application.

The curriculum covers plant biotechnology, animal biotechnology, molecular biology, genetics, tissue culture, genetic engineering, bioinformatics, plant breeding, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, bioprocessing, biosafety, biotechnology law, research methods and a research project. Students develop laboratory and research skills in agricultural biotechnology.

Kenya's agricultural biotechnology sector, the demand for improved crop varieties and the growth of biosciences create demand for graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, intensive laboratory sessions, research projects and industrial attachment.

Graduates are prepared for careers as biotechnologists, research scientists, laboratory managers, plant breeders, bioinformatics analysts, quality assurance officers, biosafety officers and biotechnology consultants. They work in research institutions, agricultural companies, biotechnology firms, universities, government regulatory bodies and international organisations.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 8.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 244,800
Private, up to: Ksh 109,100
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

Plant Biotechnology
Animal Biotechnology
Molecular Biology
Genetics
Tissue Culture
Genetic Engineering
Bioinformatics
Plant Breeding
Microbiology
Biosafety

Modules

12 in the programme

Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Communication Skills: Academic writing, presentation skills, and professional communication. Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Foundations of the Discipline
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of the Discipline: Introduction to core concepts, theories, and principles of the field. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Information Technology Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Computer applications, data processing, and digital literacy for academic and professional use.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, data collection, and analysis techniques.
Molecular Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Molecular techniques. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Statistics and Data Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Statistical methods, probability, and data interpretation for research and practice.
Tissue Culture
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Plant tissue culture. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Professional Ethics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethical principles, professional conduct, and regulatory frameworks in the field.
Genetic Engineering
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Recombinant DNA technology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...
Bioinformatics
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Biological data analysis. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Project Management
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
Project Management: Project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation techniques. Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Business planning, venture creation, and innovation management. Equips students with practical skills for venture creation and business management.

Specialisations

Bioinformatics
Biological data analysis. 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.
Animal Biotechnology
Livestock improvement. 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.
Plant Biotechnology
Crop improvement. 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.
Biosafety
Biotechnology regulation. 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.
General Practice
Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. 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.
Research and Analysis
Focus on research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. 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.
General Practice
Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. 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.
Research and Analysis
Focus on research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. 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 involves attending biotechnology lectures, working in molecular biology laboratories, conducting tissue culture experiments, studying genetics, using bioinformatics tools, researching plant breeding techniques, and working on laboratory research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Cutting-edge science with agricultural applications
Growing biosciences sector in Kenya
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Strong research and laboratory skills
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.

Against it

Specialised field with limited direct employment
May require postgraduate qualifications for research roles
Biotechnology faces regulatory and public perception challenges

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

Public130k to 245k

130k at JKUAT245k at Kenyatta University

Private109k to 109k

109k at Mount Kenya University109k at Mount Kenya 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

JKUAT 130K-160K/yr, KU 244,800/yr (jkuat.ac.ke, ku.ac.ke). MKU ~109K/yr private (mku.ac.ke).

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available for eligible students. Research grants may be available for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

4 recorded

TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship at Egerton University
ScholarshipKenyan
Students admitted to agriculture, natural resources and food science programmes at Egerton University
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. Diploma in biotechnology, laboratory technology, agriculture or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 8.

Biology
C+
Chemistry
C+
Mathematics
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+

How you are assessed

5 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination40% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Laboratory Practicals
Practicum30% of the mark
Lab sessions and reports
Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at KU, JKUAT, Egerton and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 8.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

Biosafety Officer
Low demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 280,000
Biotechnology regulation
Research Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 380,000
Agricultural research
Biotechnologist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 350,000
Biotechnology research and application
Laboratory Manager
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 320,000
Lab management
Plant Breeder
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 350,000
Crop variety development
Graduate Trainee
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Entry-level position applying academic knowledge in a professional environment.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 65,000
Supporting research projects through data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Project Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 80,000
Coordinating and implementing projects in public, private, or NGO sectors.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as biotechnologists, research scientists and laboratory managers in research institutions, biotechnology firms and agricultural companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R
AnalyticsPrimary
QGIS
Analytics
DJI Terra
Engineering
Field trial management software (e.g., AGROBASE, BreedBase)
Database
Feed formulation software (e.g., Brill, Format, Alltech)
Analytics
FarmLogs
Project management
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
BLAST
Analytics
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for biotechnology research data.
Geneious
Software
Bioinformatics software for molecular biology and sequence analysis.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Agricultural biotechnology is just about GMOs.
The programme covers tissue culture, marker-assisted breeding, bioinformatics and conventional biotechnology.
Biotechnology is controversial and unsafe.
The programme includes biosafety, ethics and regulatory frameworks.
There are no biotechnology jobs in Kenya.
Kenya's biosciences sector is growing with research institutions and companies.
Agricultural biotechnology is the same as agriculture.
Biotechnology focuses on molecular and genetic approaches to crop and livestock improvement.