Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Entomology and Parasitology

The Bachelor of Science in Entomology and Parasitology is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in entomology and parasitology. The programme falls under the Agriculture & Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Entomology, Parasitology, Pest Management, Vector Control, Insect Biology, Parasite Biology. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Advanced Econometrics, Advanced Statistics for Agricultural Research, Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship, Agribusiness Finance and Accounting, Agribusiness Information Systems. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Introduction to Entomology and Parasitology, Pesticide Management, Agricultural Entomology, Entomology and Parasitology Project, Parasite Diagnosis. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Veterinary Parasitology, Agricultural Entomology, Medical Entomology. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Entomology and Parasitology pursue careers as Entomologist, Research Scientist, Vector Control Specialist, Parasitologist. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 324,000
Private, up to: Ksh 178,800
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 8 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Entomology
Parasitology
Pest Management
Vector Control
Insect Biology
Parasite Biology

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Entomology and Parasitology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of entomology, parasitology, and their importance in agriculture and health.
Insect Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Insect anatomy, physiology, ecology, and life cycles. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, c...
Parasite Biology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Parasite biology, life cycles, host-parasite relationships, and parasite ecology.
Medical Entomology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Medical Entomology: Insects of medical importance, disease vectors, and vector-borne diseases. Covers clinical principles, patient care protocols, and evidence-based practice.
Agricultural Entomology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Agricultural Entomology: Insect pests of agricultural importance, pest biology, and crop damage. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Veterinary Parasitology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Veterinary Parasitology: Parasites of veterinary importance, livestock parasites, and parasite control. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Integrated Pest Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
IPM principles, biological control, cultural practices, and sustainable pest management.
Vector Control
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Vector Control: Vector control strategies, insecticide resistance, and vector management. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Insect Taxonomy
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Insect classification, identification, and taxonomy. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, co...
Parasite Diagnosis
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Parasite Diagnosis: Parasite diagnostic techniques, laboratory methods, and disease diagnosis. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Pesticide Management
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Pesticide Management: Pesticide chemistry, application, safety, and environmental impact. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Entomology and Parasitology Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Entomology and Parasitology Project: Independent research project on entomology or parasitology topic. Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.

Specialisations

Medical Entomology
Focus on insects of medical importance, disease vectors, and vector control. 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.
Agricultural Entomology
Specialization in insect pests of agriculture, pest management, and crop protection. 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.
Veterinary Parasitology
Focus on parasites of veterinary importance, livestock parasites, and parasite control. 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.

A day as a student

Students attend lectures, conduct laboratory analysis, participate in field studies, and engage in entomological research.

The trade offs

In its favour

Critical role in controlling pests and parasites that affect agriculture and health.
Growing demand for entomology and parasitology professionals due to pest and disease challenges.
Hands-on laboratory and field experience with insects and parasites.

Against it

Working with insects and parasites can be challenging and requires attention to detail.
Pest control faces challenges from pesticide resistance and evolving pests.

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

Public167k to 324k

167k at Egerton University324k at University of Nairobi

Private109k to 179k

109k at Mount Kenya University179k 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 Ag 167K (eafinder). UoN 324K (Schedule II). UEAB 179K, MKU 109K/yr.

HELB loans available for eligible students. Some universities offer scholarships based on academic performance.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

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 Biology, Applied Biology, Agriculture, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Biology
C+
Chemistry
C+
Mathematics
C
English/Kiswahili
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on entomology or parasitology topic.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and laboratory reports throughout the semester.
Laboratory Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of laboratory skills in insect identification, parasite diagnosis, and pest management.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.

Accreditation

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Entomologist
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Study insects, develop pest management strategies, and conduct entomological research.
Research Scientist
Medium demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 140,000
Conduct research on insects and parasites, develop new control methods, and contribute to scientific knowledge.
Vector Control Specialist
High demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000
Implement vector control strategies, manage disease vectors, and support disease prevention.
Parasitologist
Medium demandKsh 62,000 to Ksh 135,000
Study parasites, develop control strategies, and conduct parasitological research.
Pest Control Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Implement pest control measures, manage pest outbreaks, and advise on pest management.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in entomology, parasitology, and pest management across Kenya's agricultural and health sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Google Earth
Gis
PlantVillage Nuru
Agriculture
QGIS
GisPrimary
ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
R
Analytics