Environmental Science

Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy and Technology

The Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy and Technology is a four-year programme offered at Multimedia University of Kenya and Kibabii University. It trains students in the physics of renewable energy sources and the technologies involved in harnessing solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass energy.

Students study thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electrical machines, solar energy systems, wind energy technology, geothermal energy, biofuels, and energy management. The curriculum combines theoretical foundations with practical laboratory work and industrial attachments, ensuring graduates can design and maintain renewable energy systems.

Entry requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with at least B in Mathematics and C+ in Physics, plus C+ in Chemistry, Biology, or Geography. The programme is offered full-time over four academic years, with each year comprising core units, faculty units, and university common units.

Graduates work as energy technicians, energy resource analysts, energy efficiency consultants, and renewable energy project managers. They find employment in energy companies, government agencies, research institutions, and consulting firms focused on sustainable energy solutions.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and aligns with Kenya national energy policy goals. Graduates contribute to the growing demand for clean energy expertise as Kenya expands its geothermal, solar, and wind power capacity.

Career opportunities include roles in solar panel installation and maintenance, wind farm operations, energy auditing, green building consultancy, and energy policy advisory. The renewable energy sector is rapidly expanding in Kenya and across East Africa, creating strong demand for qualified professionals.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 336,600
Private, up to: Ksh 221,400
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

7 subjects

Renewable
Energy
Technology
Engineering Mathematics
Engineering Drawing
Mechanics of Materials
Materials Science

Modules

12 in the programme

General Chemistry I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry, states of matter and chemical reactions.
Mathematics for Sciences
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Mathematics for Sciences: Calculus, algebra, trigonometry and statistical methods for science students. Covers theoretical foundations, problem-solving techniques, and practical applications.
Cell Biology & Genetics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Cell structure, function, division, DNA replication, gene expression and inheritance.
Microbiology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Microbial structure, metabolism, genetics, cultivation and medical microbiology.
General Chemistry II (Organic)
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
General Chemistry II (Organic): Organic chemistry: functional groups, reactions, mechanisms and biomolecules. Covers theoretical principles, laboratory techniques, and industrial applications.
Analytical Chemistry
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Quantitative analysis, titrimetry, spectroscopy, chromatography and instrumental methods.
Physics for Sciences
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Mechanics, waves, electricity, optics and modern physics for science programmes.
Ecology & Environmental Science
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Ecosystems, population dynamics, biodiversity, conservation and environmental monitoring.
Biostatistics & Research Methods
Year 3Semester 12 creditsCore
Experimental design, statistical analysis, scientific writing and research ethics.
Laboratory Techniques & Safety
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Laboratory Techniques & Safety: Advanced lab techniques, equipment, quality control, safety and GLP. Covers safety regulations, risk assessment, and workplace hazard management.
Industrial Attachment / Internship
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Industrial Attachment / Internship: Supervised placement in a research lab, industry or environmental agency. Provides hands-on industry experience, mentorship, and professional skills development.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 18 creditsCore
Independent scientific research: literature review, experiments, analysis and thesis.

Specialisations

Biology & Life Sciences
Cell biology, genetics, ecology and microbiology. Students gain laboratory and field skills for research, healthcare and environmental work.
Chemistry
Organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry. Students learn techniques for research, quality control and industrial applications.
Physics
Mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics and quantum physics. Students develop analytical and computational skills for research and technology.
Environmental Science
Ecology, conservation, pollution control and sustainability. Students learn to assess and manage environmental challenges.
Geology
Mineralogy, petrology, geological mapping and natural resource exploration. Students gain skills for mining, oil and environmental geology.

A day as a student

A typical day blends lectures, practicals and group work, with attachment/internship in the field.

The trade offs

In its favour

Transferable skills.
Diverse paths.

Against it

Competitive entry.
May need specialisation.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 181 environmental science courses

Public324k to 337k

324k at University of Nairobi337k at Kenyatta University

Private109k to 221k

109k at Mount Kenya University221k at Daystar 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 Energy Tech 336.6K/yr (mawese). UoN env 324K/yr (fee schedule). MKU 109.1K, Daystar 221.4K/yr.

HELB loans, county scholarships and university bursaries available.

Funding options

HELB Loan
Government Bursary
CDF Scholarship
Self-sponsored

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
National Research Fund Science Scholarship
PartialKsh 300,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Science student; Research potential; Academic merit
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
FullKsh 8,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Financial need; Leadership
County Government STEM Bursary
PartialKsh 80,000Kenyan
Resident of county; Science student; Financial need
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
PartialKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizen; Science programme; Financial need

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma progression or bridging.

How you are assessed

3 components

CATs
Cat30% of the mark
CATs.
Group Project
Project20% of the mark
Group Project.
Exam
Exam50% of the mark
Exam.

Accreditation

Accredited by CUE and relevant professional bodies.

Accredited by

TVETA
NationalRequired
Accrediting body.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Biomedical Scientist
Medium demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 238,000
Work as biomedical scientist.
Biotechnology Research Scientist
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 300,000
Work as biotechnology research scientist.
Chemistry
Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Work as chemistry.
Environmental Science
High demandKsh 72,000 to Ksh 250,000
Work as environmental science.
Lab Manager
Medium demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 180,000
Work as lab manager.
Laboratory Manager
Medium demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000
Work as laboratory manager.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find opportunities across Kenya's public, private and entrepreneurship sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
Google Workspace
Cloud
Power BI
Analytics
QuickBooks
Accounting
SAP
Enterprise
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet