Technology

Bachelor of Science in Electronics with Informatics

The Bachelor of Science in Electronics with Informatics is an interdisciplinary programme that combines electronics engineering with computing and information technology. Offered at Karatina University through the School of Computing and Informatics, the programme equips graduates with skills in electronic circuit design, microprocessor systems and information technology applications.

The curriculum covers electronic circuits, digital electronics, microprocessors and microcontrollers, computer programming, database systems, computer networks, embedded systems, signal processing, communication systems, web technologies, software engineering, instrumentation, control systems, data communication and project management. Students develop both electronics hardware skills and software development capabilities.

Kenya's technology sector is growing with increasing demand for professionals who understand both electronics hardware and information systems. The programme responds to the need for interdisciplinary graduates who can design electronic systems with integrated computing capabilities, working in telecommunications, manufacturing, IoT and technology companies.

The programme is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, programming practicals, hardware workshops, industrial attachment and a research project. Students gain hands-on experience in circuit design, microcontroller programming, database development, network configuration and embedded system development through laboratory work and attachment at technology companies.

Graduates pursue careers as electronics and informatics engineers, embedded systems developers, network administrators, systems integrators, IoT developers, technical support engineers and IT consultants in telecommunications companies, technology firms, manufacturing organisations and government agencies. They can also pursue postgraduate study in electronics engineering, computer science or information systems.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, proficiency in mathematics and an interest in both electronics and computing. The programme is suitable for students who want to bridge the gap between hardware electronics and software systems.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 324,000
Private, up to: Ksh 500,000
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

Electronic Circuits
Digital and Analogue Electronics
Microprocessors and Microcontrollers
Computer Programming
Database Systems
Computer Networks
Embedded Systems
Signal Processing
Communication Systems
Software Engineering

Modules

11 in the programme

Introduction to Electronics and Informatics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces fundamental concepts in electronics and informatics, covering electronic components, circuits, computing principles and the integration of hardware and software.
Digital Electronics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers logic gates, Boolean algebra, combinational and sequential circuits, flip-flops, counters and digital system design.
Computer Programming
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Introduces programming using C and Python, covering data types, control structures, functions, arrays, pointers and file handling.
Microprocessors and Microcontrollers
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers microprocessor architecture, instruction sets, interfacing, microcontroller programming in C and assembly, and embedded applications.
Database Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers relational database design, SQL, normalisation, transaction management, database administration and database application development.
Computer Networks and Data Communication
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers network architectures, OSI and TCP/IP models, routing, switching, network protocols, data communication principles and network security.
Embedded Systems Design
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers embedded system architecture, real-time programming, sensor and actuator interfacing, IoT fundamentals and embedded system project development.
Signal Processing and Communication Systems
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers analogue and digital signals, sampling, Fourier analysis, modulation techniques, communication system design and signal processing applications.
Software Engineering
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers software development lifecycle, requirements analysis, design patterns, testing, project management and software quality assurance.
Instrumentation and Control Systems
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers measurement principles, sensors, transducers, data acquisition, control system design, PID controllers and industrial automation.
Research Project in Electronics and Informatics
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
An independent research project integrating electronics and informatics, demonstrating the student's ability to design, build and test a hardware-software system.

Specialisations

Embedded Systems and IoT
Focuses on microcontroller programming, sensor integration, IoT protocols and connected device development for careers in IoT and embedded systems.
Network and Systems Administration
Specialises in computer network design, administration, security and systems management for careers in IT infrastructure.
Communication Systems
Focuses on telecommunications, signal processing and communication system design for careers in the communications industry.
Software and Database Development
Specialises in software engineering, database design and web application development for careers in software development.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on digital electronics or database systems, followed by a laboratory session on microcontroller programming or circuit design. Afternoon sessions may include a programming practical in Python or C, a network configuration workshop, or group projects developing embedded systems with integrated web interfaces. Students also work on hardware-software integration projects combining electronics with informatics.

The trade offs

In its favour

The interdisciplinary nature of the programme provides versatile career options in both electronics and IT industries.
IoT and embedded systems are growing fields in Kenya, creating demand for professionals who understand both hardware and software.
The programme combines practical electronics skills with programming, making graduates adaptable to diverse technology roles.

Against it

Covering both electronics and informatics in four years means less depth in each area compared to specialised single-field programmes.
The interdisciplinary nature may make it harder to compete against specialised graduates for roles in either pure electronics or pure software development.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 191 technology courses

Public140k to 324k

140k at Kenyatta University324k at University of Nairobi

Private130k to 500k

130k at Kabarak University500k at Strathmore 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 ~140K, UoN ~324K/yr. Kabarak ~130K, Strathmore ~500K/yr. KU/Strathmore

Students can access HELB loans. Some technology companies offer internship opportunities for electronics and informatics students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised universities

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KNEC Diploma in Science, Applied Sciences or equivalent from a recognised institution, or KACE with two Principal passes in science subjects.

Mathematics
C+
Physics or Physical Sciences
C+
Chemistry or Biology or Computer Studies
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering electronics fundamentals, digital electronics and programming.
Laboratory and Programming Practical Reports
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory sessions including microcontroller programming, database exercises and network configuration.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a technology company, telecommunications firm or electronics manufacturer.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
A final-year research project integrating electronics and informatics, assessed through a written dissertation, prototype demonstration and oral presentation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Karatina University's School of Computing and Informatics.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Karatina University's School of Computing and Informatics.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Electronics and Informatics Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Designs and maintains electronic systems with integrated computing capabilities, working at the intersection of hardware and software.
Embedded Systems Developer
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 220,000
Develops firmware and software for microcontroller-based devices, IoT products and embedded control systems.
Network Administrator
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages and maintains computer networks, configuring routers, switches and security devices for organisations.
Systems Integrator
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 190,000
Integrates electronic hardware with software systems, designing solutions that combine sensors, controllers and data management.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as electronics and informatics engineers, embedded systems developers and network administrators in telecommunications companies, technology firms and manufacturing organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Arduino
ToolPrimary
Python
Code
MySQL
Tool
Cisco Packet Tracer
Tool

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Electronics with Informatics is just computer science with a few electronics courses.
The programme provides equal depth in electronics hardware and computing, preparing graduates to work at the intersection of hardware and software in embedded systems, IoT and telecommunications.
This programme is the same as electrical engineering.
Electronics with Informatics focuses on electronic circuits, microprocessors and computing, while electrical engineering covers broader power systems and electrical machines.
Graduates can only work in electronics repair.
Graduates work as embedded systems developers, network administrators, systems integrators and IoT developers in diverse technology companies, not just repair workshops.
The informatics component is just basic IT skills.
The informatics component covers programming, database systems, software engineering, networks and web technologies at a professional level, equivalent to IT degree content.