Science

Bachelor of Science in Applied Biochemistry

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Biochemistry is a degree programme that focuses on the chemical processes of living organisms, combining biochemistry theory with practical applications in health, agriculture and industry. The programme is offered at Kenyatta University and other Kenyan universities, equipping graduates with skills in biochemistry, molecular biology and biotechnology.

The curriculum covers biochemistry, molecular biology, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, cell biology, microbiology, enzymology, metabolism, immunology, biotechnology, genetics, biostatistics, research methods, clinical biochemistry, nutritional biochemistry and environmental biochemistry. Students develop competencies in both theoretical biochemistry and laboratory techniques.

Throughout the programme, students engage in lectures, laboratory practicals, research projects and industrial attachment. The practical approach ensures graduates can perform biochemical analyses, conduct molecular biology experiments, use analytical instruments and apply biochemical principles to solve problems in health, agriculture and industry.

The programme emphasises the application of biochemistry to real-world challenges, recognising that biochemical knowledge is essential for drug development, food safety, diagnostic testing and biotechnology innovation. Students learn about enzyme technology, metabolic engineering, bioinformatics and the role of biochemistry in pharmaceutical and food industries.

Graduates are equipped to work in pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, hospital laboratories, food and beverage industries, agricultural research organisations, biotechnology firms, academic institutions and regulatory bodies. They contribute to scientific research, product development, quality assurance and diagnostic services.

Career opportunities exist in pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, hospital laboratories, food and beverage industries, biotechnology firms, academic institutions and regulatory bodies. Graduates work as biochemists, research assistants, quality control analysts, laboratory technologists and clinical biochemists across the health, agriculture and industrial sectors.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 282,200
Private, up to: Ksh 191,700
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: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Organic Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Cell Biology
Microbiology
Enzymology
Immunology
Biotechnology
Clinical Biochemistry

Modules

12 in the programme

Organic Chemistry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Structure, properties and reactions of organic compounds relevant to biochemistry.
Cell Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Cell Biology: Structure and function of cells, organelles and cellular processes. Covers cellular processes, organismal biology, and ecological relationships.
General Biochemistry
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
General Biochemistry: Introduction to biomolecules, enzymes, metabolism and biochemical pathways. Covers theoretical principles, laboratory techniques, and industrial applications.
Analytical Chemistry
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Analytical Chemistry: Analytical techniques and instrumentation used in biochemical analysis. Covers theoretical principles, laboratory techniques, and industrial applications.
Metabolism
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Metabolic pathways including carbohydrate, lipid, protein and nucleic acid metabolism.
Enzymology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Enzymology: Enzyme structure, kinetics, mechanisms, inhibition and applications. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Immunology
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Immune system, antibodies, antigen-antibody reactions and immunological techniques.
Molecular Biology
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Molecular Biology: DNA structure, replication, transcription, translation and gene regulation. Covers cellular processes, organismal biology, and ecological relationships.
Clinical Biochemistry
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Clinical Biochemistry: Biochemical analysis of body fluids for diagnosis and monitoring of diseases. Covers theoretical principles, laboratory techniques, and industrial applications.
Biotechnology
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Application of biochemical techniques in biotechnology, genetic engineering and industrial processes.
Nutritional Biochemistry
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Nutritional Biochemistry: Biochemical basis of nutrition, vitamins, minerals and metabolic disorders. Covers theoretical principles, laboratory techniques, and industrial applications.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Independent research project on a biochemistry topic, including laboratory experiments and written report.

Specialisations

Clinical Biochemistry
Focus on biochemical analysis of body fluids for diagnosis and monitoring of diseases. 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.
Industrial Biochemistry
Specialisation in biochemical processes applied in food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. 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.
Nutritional Biochemistry
Concentration on the biochemical basis of nutrition, metabolism and dietary science. 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.
Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Focus on molecular techniques, genetic engineering and biotechnology applications. 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 Biochemistry
Specialisation in biochemical processes in the environment and environmental monitoring. 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 lectures on metabolic pathways and enzymology, conducting laboratory practicals on protein purification and molecular techniques, analysing biochemical data using statistical software and participating in research project discussions.

The trade offs

In its favour

Versatile degree opening career paths in pharmaceuticals, food industry, research, healthcare and biotechnology.
Strong laboratory and analytical skills that are directly applicable in the job market.
Offered at multiple universities, providing flexibility in institution choice.

Against it

Laboratory work can be repetitive and requires meticulous attention to detail.
Career advancement often requires postgraduate qualifications or professional certification.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 243 science courses

Public245k to 282k

245k at Kenyatta University282k at University of Nairobi

Private192k to 192k

192k at Kabarak University192k 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, UoN 282.2K/yr (KUCCPS). Kabarak 191.7K/yr. Strathmore doesn't offer biochemistry.

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships and county government bursaries.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Universities Fund Government Scholarship
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

3 recorded

County Government Bursaries
GrantKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Criteria vary by county.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to accredited universities. Means-tested based on family income.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
Government-sponsored (KUCCPS) students in public universities. Awarded through the Higher Education Funding Model.

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 in Science, Applied Sciences, Medical Laboratory Technology or related fields with Credit pass from recognised institutions may also apply.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Practical Examinations
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, laboratory practical assessments and reports throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Comprehensive written and practical examinations covering biochemistry, molecular biology and analytical techniques.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum10% of the mark
Supervised attachment with a research institution, pharmaceutical company or laboratory, assessed through logbook and written report.
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Independent research project on a biochemistry topic, including laboratory experiments and written report.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi and other Kenyan universities. Graduates working in medical laboratory settings may register with KMLTTB for professional recognition.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. This programme must be offered by a CUE-accredited university.
Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB)
Professional
Graduates working in medical laboratory settings may register with KMLTTB for professional recognition.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Biochemist
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Conducts biochemical research and analysis in pharmaceutical companies, research institutions or food industries.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 95,000
Supports biochemistry research projects at KEMRI, KALRO, universities or research institutions through laboratory work and data analysis.
Quality Control Analyst
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 100,000
Performs quality control tests on pharmaceutical, food or chemical products to ensure compliance with standards.
Laboratory Technologist
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 90,000
Conducts biochemical and clinical laboratory tests in hospital laboratories, research institutions or diagnostic centres.
Clinical Biochemist
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Analyses body fluids and tissues for diagnostic purposes in hospital or clinical laboratories.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as biochemists, research assistants, quality control analysts, laboratory technologists and clinical biochemists in pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, hospital laboratories and food industries.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for biochemical data management, analysis and reporting.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for biochemical research data analysis.
BLAST
Software
Bioinformatics tool for sequence alignment and molecular biology research.
ImageJ
Software
Image processing tool for analysing gel electrophoresis and microscopy images.
ChemDraw
Software
Chemical drawing software for molecular structures and biochemical pathways.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Applied Biochemistry is only for medical laboratory work.
The programme covers biochemistry applications in health, agriculture, food industry, pharmaceuticals and environmental science.
Graduates only work in hospital laboratories.
Graduates work in pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, food and beverage industries, biotechnology firms and regulatory bodies.
Biochemistry is the same as Chemistry.
Biochemistry focuses on chemical processes in living organisms, while Chemistry covers all chemical substances and reactions.
The programme does not include practical laboratory skills.
Laboratory practicals are a core component, covering analytical techniques, enzyme assays, molecular biology and instrumentation.