Science

Bachelor of Science in Marine Science

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

The curriculum covers marine science, biological oceanography, chemical oceanography, physical oceanography, geological oceanography, marine ecology, marine biology, coastal zone management, marine pollution, marine resources, climate change and oceans, marine GIS, fisheries science, marine conservation, research methods and a research project. Students develop scientific and analytical skills for marine and coastal environments.

Kenya's Blue Economy agenda, coastal development and marine resource management create demand for marine science 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 scientists, oceanographers, coastal zone managers, marine researchers, fisheries scientists, marine conservation officers, environmental officers, marine consultants and marine educators. They work in KMFRI, Kenya Wildlife Service, 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 Science
Biological Oceanography
Chemical Oceanography
Physical Oceanography
Geological Oceanography
Marine Ecology
Coastal Zone Management
Marine Pollution
Marine Resources
Fisheries Science

Modules

10 in the programme

Marine Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Marine science fundamentals. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...
Biological Oceanography
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Marine life and ecosystems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...
Chemical Oceanography
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Ocean chemistry. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examina...
Physical Oceanography
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Ocean dynamics. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinat...
Geological Oceanography
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Seafloor geology. 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 2Semester 33 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...
Coastal Zone Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Coastal management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...
Marine Pollution
Year 3Semester 23 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...
Fisheries Science
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Fisheries management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
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 Science
Fisheries. 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.
Biological Oceanography
Marine biology. 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.
Coastal Zone Management
Coastal management. 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 Pollution
Pollution management. 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 science lectures, working in marine laboratories, studying oceanography, conducting fieldwork at the coast, researching marine ecosystems, analysing oceanographic data, studying coastal management, and working on marine research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's Blue Economy agenda creates opportunities
Interdisciplinary science covering all ocean aspects
Exciting fieldwork in marine environments

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

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students
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 marine science, fisheries, biology 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

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

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

Coastal Zone Manager
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Coastal management
Marine Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000
Marine science
Marine Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 320,000
Marine research
Fisheries Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Fisheries science
Oceanographer
Low demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 320,000
Oceanographic research

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as marine scientists, oceanographers and coastal zone managers 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.
PlantVillage Nuru
Agriculture
QGIS
GisPrimary
R
Analytics
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Marine science is just about the ocean.
The programme covers biological, chemical, physical and geological oceanography plus coastal management.
There are no marine science jobs in Kenya.
Kenya's Blue Economy agenda creates demand for marine professionals.
Marine science is the same as marine biology.
Marine science is broader, covering oceanography, chemistry, geology and coastal management.
Marine science requires living at the coast.
Graduates work nationwide in research, government, NGOs and consulting.