Science

Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology

The Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology is a programme that provides comprehensive training in marine organisms, ocean ecosystems and marine conservation. Offered at the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Technical University of Mombasa, Pwani University and other coastal institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in marine biology, oceanography and marine conservation.

The curriculum covers marine biology, marine ecology, oceanography, marine invertebrates, marine vertebrates, marine botany, coral reef ecology, marine pollution, marine conservation, fisheries biology, marine microbiology, marine biotechnology, climate change and oceans, GIS for marine science, research methods and a research project. Students develop field and laboratory skills for marine science.

Kenya's Blue Economy agenda, marine conservation needs and coastal development create demand for marine biology graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, laboratory sessions, fieldwork at the coast, marine station practicals, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as marine biologists, marine researchers, fisheries biologists, marine conservation officers, marine park rangers, oceanographers, marine consultants, aquaculture specialists and environmental officers. They work in Kenya Wildlife Service (Marine), Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, coastal county governments, NGOs, research institutions, universities and consulting firms.

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 4.

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 264,000
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

Marine Biology
Marine Ecology
Oceanography
Marine Invertebrates
Marine Vertebrates
Coral Reef Ecology
Marine Pollution
Marine Conservation
Fisheries Biology
Marine Biotechnology

Modules

10 in the programme

Marine Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Marine organisms. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examin...
Marine Ecology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Marine ecosystems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exami...
Oceanography
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Ocean science. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinati...
Marine Invertebrates
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Invertebrate biology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Marine Vertebrates
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Vertebrate biology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...
Coral Reef Ecology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Coral reef ecosystems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...
Marine Pollution
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Marine pollution science. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Marine Conservation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Marine conservation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exa...
Fisheries Biology
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Fish biology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinations.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final year research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...

Specialisations

Fisheries Biology
Fish 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.
Coral Reef Ecology
Coral reef 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.
Marine Conservation
Marine 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.
Marine Biotechnology
Marine biotech 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.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending marine biology lectures, working in marine laboratories, studying marine organisms under microscopes, conducting fieldwork at the coast, researching coral reef ecology, analysing oceanographic data, studying marine pollution, and working on marine research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's Blue Economy agenda creates opportunities
Unique field with exciting marine fieldwork
Specialised skills with less competition

Against it

Limited number of universities offering the programme
Fieldwork requires travel to coastal areas
Job market is relatively small

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 264k

245k at Kenyatta University264k at University of Nairobi

Private109k to 192k

109k at Mount Kenya 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 BSc Biology 245K; UoN 264K/yr (KUCCPS/Schedule II). MKU 109K; Kabarak 192K/yr.

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available. Blue Economy initiatives may offer additional support.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

3 recorded

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)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students

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 biology, fisheries, marine science or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

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

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Laboratory and Field Practicals
Practicum20% of the mark
Lab and coastal fieldwork
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at UoN, KU, TUM, Pwani and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Fisheries Biologist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Fisheries science
Marine Biologist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000
Marine biology research
Marine Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 320,000
Marine research
Marine Consultant
Low demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 320,000
Marine consulting
Marine Conservation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Marine conservation

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as marine biologists, marine researchers and fisheries biologists in KMFRI, Kenya Wildlife Service and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Python
ProgrammingPrimary
Data analysis and machine learning for risk modelling.
QGIS
GisPrimary
R
Analytics
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
PlantVillage Nuru
Agriculture

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Marine biology is just about studying fish.
The programme covers oceanography, coral reefs, marine mammals, pollution, conservation and biotechnology.
There are no marine biology jobs in Kenya.
Kenya's Blue Economy agenda and marine conservation create demand.
Marine biology requires living at the coast.
Graduates work nationwide in research, government, NGOs and consulting.
Marine biology is less rigorous than terrestrial biology.
Marine biology requires the same scientific rigour with additional oceanographic knowledge.