Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Science Bio Systems Engineering

The Bachelor Of Science In Science Bio Systems Engineering is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in science bio systems engineering. The programme falls under the Engineering & Technology category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Engineering Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Farm Power, Machinery and Equipment Design, Irrigation Engineering and Water Management, Agricultural Structures and Greenhouses, Post-Harvest Engineering and Food Processing, Bioprocess Engineering and Biomass Energy. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in technical and analytical competencies. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Soil and Water Conservation Engineering, Engineering Mathematics and Mechanics, Environmental Engineering and Waste Management, Industrial Attachment, Precision Agriculture and Agricultural Instrumentation. 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 Precision Agriculture and Environmental Engineering, Bioprocess and Renewable Energy, Food Processing and Post-Harvest Engineering. 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 Science Bio Systems Engineering pursue careers as Machinery Engineer / Equipment Design Engineer, Biosystems Engineer / Agricultural Engineer, Food Process Engineer / Post-Harvest Engineer, Irrigation Engineer / Water Management Engineer. 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 396,000
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: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Engineering Mechanics and Thermodynamics
Farm Power, Machinery and Equipment Design
Irrigation Engineering and Water Management
Agricultural Structures and Greenhouses
Post-Harvest Engineering and Food Processing
Bioprocess Engineering and Biomass Energy
Soil and Water Conservation
Precision Agriculture and Agricultural Instrumentation
Environmental Engineering and Waste Management
Biosystems Engineering Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Engineering Mathematics and Mechanics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering mathematics, engineering mechanics, strength of materials, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, mass transfer, and supporting engineering fundamentals.
Farm Power, Machinery and Equipment Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Farm power, agricultural machinery, tractor systems, farm equipment, machinery design, understanding machinery, and supporting agricultural machinery engineering.
Irrigation Engineering and Water Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Irrigation engineering, irrigation systems, sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation, surface irrigation, drainage, water management, and supporting irrigation engineering.
Agricultural Structures and Greenhouses
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Agricultural structures, farm buildings, greenhouses, silos, livestock structures, storage structures, understanding structures, and supporting agricultural structures engineering.
Post-Harvest Engineering and Food Processing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Post-harvest engineering, food processing, food process engineering, drying, milling, storage, packaging, understanding processing, and supporting food process engineering.
Bioprocess Engineering and Biomass Energy
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Bioprocess engineering, fermentation, biological processes, biomass energy, biogas, biofuels, renewable energy, understanding bioprocess, and supporting bioprocess engineering.
Soil and Water Conservation Engineering
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Soil mechanics, soil and water conservation, erosion control, land management, understanding conservation, and supporting soil and water conservation.
Precision Agriculture and Agricultural Instrumentation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Precision agriculture, GPS, GIS, sensors, automation, agricultural instrumentation, understanding precision agriculture, and supporting agricultural technology.
Environmental Engineering and Waste Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Environmental engineering, waste management, agricultural waste, composting, aquaculture engineering, aquaponics, hydroponics, and supporting environmental engineering.
Engineering Economics, Entrepreneurship and Research Methods
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering economics, entrepreneurship, engineering drawing, CAD, surveying, safety, occupational health, research methods, and supporting engineering practice.
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised industrial attachment at an agricultural company, food processing plant, irrigation project, or research institution, applying biosystems engineering skills.
Final Biosystems Engineering Research Project or Dissertation
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final year biosystems engineering research project or dissertation, assessed through written report and oral defence.

Specialisations

Food Processing and Post-Harvest Engineering
Concentrates on food processing, post-harvest engineering, drying, milling, storage, packaging, and supporting food process engineering.
Irrigation and Water Management
Focuses on irrigation engineering, irrigation systems, drainage, water management, and supporting irrigation engineering.
Agricultural Machinery and Mechanisation
Specialises in farm power, agricultural machinery, equipment design, mechanisation, and supporting agricultural machinery engineering.
Precision Agriculture and Environmental Engineering
Concentrates on precision agriculture, GPS, GIS, sensors, environmental engineering, waste management, and supporting agricultural technology and environmental engineering.
Bioprocess and Renewable Energy
Focuses on bioprocess engineering, fermentation, biomass energy, biogas, biofuels, and supporting bioprocess and renewable energy engineering.

A day as a student

A typical day starts with a morning lecture on farm power, irrigation, or food processing, followed by laboratory work, field exercises, CAD exercises, or design projects. Students work on machinery designs, irrigation system designs, food processing calculations, bioprocess experiments, greenhouse designs, surveying exercises, CAD drawings, and biosystems engineering research. Laboratory work for bioprocess and food processing, field exercises for irrigation and surveying, and industrial attachment at an agricultural company, food processing plant, or irrigation project provide practical experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Food security focus — agriculture is Kenya's backbone and the government prioritises food security, irrigation, and mechanisation.
Versatile career — graduates work in machinery, irrigation, food processing, bioprocess, environmental, research, and consulting.
Growing demand — mechanisation, irrigation expansion, food processing growth, and climate change adaptation create opportunities.

Against it

Field work intensive — biosystems engineering involves working in rural areas, farms, and processing plants.
Moderate salary — starting salaries are lower compared to other engineering fields, though growth is possible.
Limited awareness — biosystems engineering is less well-known than civil or electrical engineering, which can affect job market visibility.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 332 engineering courses

Public300k to 396k

300k at Technical University of Kenya396k at University of Nairobi

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

UoN biosystems eng 396K/yr (fee schedule). TUK eng 300K/yr (KUCCPS). Private: unverified.

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships, and county government bursaries. Some agricultural organisations, food processing companies, and development agencies offer scholarships for biosystems engineering students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Universities Fund Government Scholarship
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) Student Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Student members of IEK pursuing accredited engineering programmes
KCDF More Girls for Engineering Opportunities
ScholarshipKenyan
Young women from disadvantaged backgrounds pursuing engineering
County Government Bursaries
GrantKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Criteria vary by county.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
SponsorshipKsh 500,000
Academically talented but economically disadvantaged African students at partner universities.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to accredited universities. Means-tested based on family income.

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 with credit pass in Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related fields from recognised institutions may join.

Mathematics
C+ (plus)
Physics
C+ (plus)
Chemistry or Biology
C (plain)
English or Kiswahili
C (plain)

How you are assessed

5 components

End of Semester Examinations
Exam40% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering farm power, irrigation, food processing, bioprocess, soil and water conservation, and environmental engineering.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum5% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment at an agricultural company, food processing plant, or irrigation project. Includes logbook, supervisor evaluation, and written report.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, problem sets, and laboratory exercises throughout the semester.
Final Biosystems Engineering Research Project or Dissertation
Research5% of the mark
Final year biosystems engineering research project or dissertation, assessed through written report and oral defence.
Project / Practical Assessment
Practicum20% of the mark
Assessment of machinery designs, irrigation system designs, food processing calculations, bioprocess experiments, and greenhouse designs.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). EBK registration is mandatory for professional engineering practice.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. EBK registration is mandatory for professional engineering practice.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Machinery Engineer / Equipment Design Engineer
Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Designs agricultural machinery, manages equipment, supports mechanisation, and supporting agricultural machinery engineering.
Biosystems Engineer / Agricultural Engineer
Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Designs agricultural systems, manages machinery, supports food processing, and supports biosystems engineering.
Food Process Engineer / Post-Harvest Engineer
Medium demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 250,000
Designs food processing systems, manages post-harvest operations, supports food processing, and supporting food process engineering.
Irrigation Engineer / Water Management Engineer
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 250,000
Designs irrigation systems, manages water resources, supports drainage, and supporting irrigation and water management engineering.
Bioprocess Engineer / Environmental Engineer
Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Designs bioprocess systems, manages biomass energy, supports waste management, and supporting bioprocess and environmental engineering.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as biosystems engineers, agricultural engineers, and irrigation engineers. Biosystems engineering is in medium to high demand driven by food security and irrigation. Starting salaries range from KES 60,000 to 100,000 per month, with experienced engineers earning KES 120,000 to 300,000. Agricultural companies, food processing companies, the NIA, KALRO, county governments, NGOs, and consulting firms offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Megger Insulation Tester
TestingPrimary
For testing insulation resistance in electrical installations
Calibration Instruments
EquipmentPrimary
Pressure calibrators, temperature calibrators, and signal generators for instrument calibration
Oscilloscope and Multimeter
EquipmentPrimary
Electronic test instruments for circuit analysis, signal measurement, and fault diagnosis
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
EquipmentPrimary
Industrial computers for automating manufacturing processes, including Siemens, Allen-Bradley, and Mitsubishi PLCs
SCADA and HMI Software
Software
Supervisory control and data acquisition software for process monitoring and control

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Biosystems engineering is just about farming.
This programme covers machinery design, irrigation engineering, food processing, bioprocess engineering, renewable energy, precision agriculture, and environmental engineering. It's a comprehensive engineering discipline.
Biosystems engineers only work on farms.
Graduates work in food processing companies, irrigation authorities, research institutions, consulting firms, manufacturing, and as independent consultants. The field is versatile.
Biosystems engineering has limited career prospects.
Food security, irrigation expansion, mechanisation, food processing growth, and climate change adaptation create demand for qualified biosystems engineers.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.