Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Wood Science and Industrial Processes

This Bachelor's programme prepares students for professional careers in wood science and industrial processes. It develops expertise in wood technology, wood processing, forest products, industrial processes, and wood-based manufacturing while building technical skills for managing wood and forest products industries.

Students analyse wood properties, design wood processing systems, implement industrial processes, evaluate wood quality, conduct wood research, apply engineering principles, manage wood industries, and develop sustainable wood products strategies. They also strengthen analytical thinking, technical skills, communication, teamwork, and industrial abilities.

Kenya requires wood science and industrial processes to support the forest products industry, add value to forest resources, and promote sustainable wood use, creating demand for professionals who can manage wood processing, implement industrial processes, ensure product quality, and support the wood industry.

The programme combines coursework, laboratory sessions, industrial practice, wood processing, and research projects. Students gain hands-on experience through wood processing, industrial operations, and wood product manufacturing.

Graduates pursue careers as wood scientists, wood processing engineers, forest products managers, industrial consultants, and wood industry managers across government agencies, wood processing companies, research institutions, and the forest products sector.

The programme is ideal for students interested in wood science, wood processing, forest products, industrial processes, and wood-based manufacturing.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 372,000
Private, up to: Ksh 178,800
Job market: Moderate

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

Wood Science
Wood Processing
Forest Products
Industrial Processes
Wood Technology
Wood-Based Manufacturing

Modules

12 in the programme

Wood Anatomy and Identification
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Wood structure, anatomical features, species identification and wood properties.
Wood Physics and Mechanics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Physical and mechanical properties of wood, moisture relations and timber strength.
Wood Anatomy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Wood structure, wood anatomy, and wood identification. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, ...
Wood Physics
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Wood physical properties, wood mechanics, and wood physics. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...
Wood Chemistry and Preservation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Chemical composition of wood, wood preservation methods and treatment technologies.
Wood Composites and Panel Products
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Wood Composites and Panel Products: Engineered wood products, plywood, particleboard and fibreboard manufacturing. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Sawmilling and Wood Drying Technology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Sawmilling and Wood Drying Technology: Sawmilling operations, wood drying methods and processing efficiency. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Pulp and Paper Technology
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Pulp and Paper Technology: Pulping processes, paper manufacturing and chemical processing of wood fibre. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Wood-Based Composites
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Wood-Based Composites: Composite materials, panel products, and engineered wood products. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Furniture Manufacturing and Quality Control
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Furniture design, manufacturing processes, quality standards and production management.
Research Methods and Industrial Project
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design and an industrial project applying wood science and processing principles.
Industrial Processes
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Industrial Processes: Industrial processing, manufacturing processes, and process optimization. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

Specialisations

Wood Processing
Focus on sawmilling, wood processing, and wood conversion technologies. 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.
Wood-Based Composites
Specialization in composite materials, panel products, and engineered wood products. 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.
Pulp and Paper
Focus on pulp production, paper manufacturing, and pulp and paper technology. 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.
Sawmilling and Timber Processing
Focus on sawmilling technology, timber conversion, wood drying and processing optimisation. 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.
Furniture Manufacturing and Design
Specialisation in furniture design, manufacturing processes and wood product development. 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.
Pulp and Paper Technology
Focus on pulp production, paper manufacturing and chemical processing of wood. 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.
Wood Preservation and Composites
Specialisation in wood treatment, preservation technologies and engineered wood products. 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 wood processing, and engage in industrial practice.

The trade offs

In its favour

Critical role in adding value to forest resources and supporting the wood industry.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Growing demand for wood professionals due to forest products industry development.
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.
Combines wood science with industrial processes for comprehensive understanding.

Against it

Limited programme specialisation options may be available.
Competitive job market requiring practical experience and networking.
Wood processing can be physically demanding and requires safety precautions.

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

Public180k to 372k

180k at Egerton University372k 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 180K/yr (egerton.ac.ke), UoN 372K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). UEAB 179K (applyscholars), MKU 109K (mku.ac.ke).

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

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

3 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
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.

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 Forestry, Wood Technology, Engineering, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Biology
B-
Chemistry
B-
Physics/Mathematics
B-
English/Kiswahili
C

How you are assessed

5 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on wood science or industrial processes topic.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and laboratory reports throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.
Industrial Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of industrial skills in wood processing, industrial operations, and product manufacturing.

Accreditation

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.
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

8 roles

Graduate Trainee
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Entry-level position applying academic knowledge in a professional environment.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 65,000
Supporting research projects through data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Project Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 80,000
Coordinating and implementing projects in public, private, or NGO sectors.
Analyst
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 90,000
Analysing data, trends, and patterns to support decision-making.
Wood Scientist
Medium demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Analyse wood properties, conduct wood research, and advise on wood processing.
Wood Industry Manager
Medium demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000
Manage wood industry operations, implement business strategies, and ensure industry success.
Industrial Consultant
Low demandKsh 62,000 to Ksh 135,000
Provide consulting services on wood processing, industrial processes, and wood products.
Forest Products Manager
Medium demandKsh 57,000 to Ksh 123,000
Manage forest products, oversee production, and ensure product quality.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in wood science, wood processing, and forest products across Kenya's forest products sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
Google Earth
Gis
QGIS
GisPrimary
R
Analytics
PlantVillage Nuru
Agriculture
AutoCAD
SoftwarePrimary
Design software for furniture design, wood product drawings and manufacturing layouts.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for wood science research and quality data analysis.
SketchUp
Software
3D modelling tool for furniture design and wood product visualisation.
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary