Agriculture

Doctor of Philosophy in Entomology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Entomology is a postgraduate research programme offered at Kenyatta University and JKUAT through their respective departments of biological sciences. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on insects including medical entomology, agricultural entomology, insect ecology, and pest management, contributing to vector control, food security, and biodiversity conservation in Kenya and globally.

Students engage with advanced insect taxonomy, medical entomology, insect ecology, pest management, molecular entomology, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent laboratory and field research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to entomology.

Kenya faces significant challenges from insect-borne diseases including malaria, dengue, and trypanosomiasis, and agricultural pests that threaten food security. The programme addresses national health and agricultural priorities under Vision 2030 by training researchers who can develop vector control strategies, pest management solutions, and contribute to insect biodiversity conservation.

Teaching methods include lectures, laboratory sessions on insect identification and analysis, field research, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to university entomology laboratories and collaborate with KEMRI, ICIPE, and KALRO for field and laboratory research.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, entomology researchers, medical entomologists, agricultural entomologists, and pest management specialists in universities, KEMRI, ICIPE, KALRO, the Ministry of Health, and international research organisations.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in entomology, zoology, biological sciences, or related fields who are committed to advancing knowledge in entomology and insect science.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 392,000
Private, up to: Ksh 150,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 5 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Insect Taxonomy and Systematics
Medical Entomology
Insect Ecology
Pest Management
Molecular Entomology
Research Methodology
Vector Biology
Thesis Research
Biostatistics
Insect Physiology

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Insect Taxonomy and Systematics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of insect classification, identification, phylogenetics, and biodiversity including molecular taxonomy techniques
Insect Taxonomy and Systematics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Classification and systematics of insects, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Medical Entomology and Vector Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Biology and control of disease vectors including mosquitoes, tsetse flies, and sandflies with emphasis on Kenyan vector species
Insect Ecology and Behaviour
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Ecology and behaviour of insects including population dynamics, community ecology, and insect-plant interactions
Agricultural Entomology and Pest Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Management of agricultural pests including integrated pest management, biological control, and sustainable pest control strategies
Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Insect vectors of disease, covering clinical principles, evidence-based practice, and contemporary challenges in healthcare delivery and research.
Molecular Entomology and Genetics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Molecular techniques in entomology including insect genomics, population genetics, and genetic modification of vectors
Integrated Pest Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Integrated approaches to pest management, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.
Insect Physiology and Biochemistry
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Physiology and biochemistry of insects including insecticide resistance mechanisms, sensory physiology, and metabolic processes
Research Methods in Entomology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research design and methodology, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the field.
Research Methodology and Biostatistics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research design, data analysis methods, and statistical techniques for entomological research
Departmental Seminars
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research presentations and peer review of doctoral work, providing a platform for doctoral candidates to present research findings, engage with peer feedback, and explore contemporary debates in.

Specialisations

Health Education Research
Specialization in Health Education Research, preparing graduates for careers such as health-educator.
Biomedical Research
Specialization in Biomedical Research, preparing graduates for careers such as biomedical-scientist.
Public Health Research
Specialization in Public Health Research, preparing graduates for careers such as public-health-specialist.
Academic Research in Science
Specialization in Academic Research in Science, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.
Agricultural Research Science
Specialization in Agricultural Research Science, preparing graduates for careers such as agricultural-research-scientist.
Wildlife Research
Specialization in Wildlife Research, preparing graduates for careers such as wildlife-researcher.
Insect Biotechnology
Research on insect molecular biology
Medical Entomology
Research on insect vectors of disease
Agricultural Entomology
Research on agricultural pest management
Biological Control
Research on biological control of pests

A day as a student

A typical day combines laboratory work on insect identification and analysis with field research on vector populations or pest ecology, data analysis, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend biology research seminars, present findings at departmental colloquia, and engage with ICIPE and KEMRI for collaborative research.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's pest and vector challenges create research demand
Research contributes to food security and public health
Diverse career paths in health, agriculture, conservation, and academia
Opportunities for international collaboration through WHO and ICIPE

Against it

Field research in remote areas can be challenging
Requires strong biology and laboratory skills
Career opportunities outside research are limited
Entomology is a niche field with limited awareness

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

Public367k to 392k

367k at Kenyatta University392k at University of Nairobi

Private150k to 150k

150k at Mount Kenya University150k at Mount Kenya 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

UoN 392K (biology.uonbi.ac.ke), KU 367K/yr. MKU 150K (spas.mku.ac.ke).

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, WHO/TDR research grants, DAAD scholarships, and ICIPE research fellowships for entomology research.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
WHO/TDR Research Grant
Grant
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
ICIPE Research Fellowship
Fellowship

Scholarships

5 recorded

ICIPE Research Fellowship
FellowshipKenyan
African researchers working on insect science and applications
WHO/TDR Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Researchers from low- and middle-income countries working on tropical diseases
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
ICIPE Research Grant
Grant
Entomology researchers in Africa
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Master's Degree
MSc in Entomology, Zoology, Biological Sciences, or related field from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor's degree in Biology, Zoology, or related science field
Research capability
Evidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

How you are assessed

5 components

Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, laboratory reports and seminar presentations
Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Thesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Thesis Examination
Coursework100% of the mark
Laboratory and Field Reports
Coursework20% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya
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

7 roles

Pest Management Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Advises on integrated pest management at agricultural companies, NGOs, or government agencies
Agricultural Entomologist
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Develops pest management solutions at KALRO, agricultural companies, or research institutions
University Lecturer (Entomology)
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Teaches entomology and conducts research in university biological science departments
Medical Entomology Researcher
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts vector research at KEMRI, ICIPE, or international health research institutions
Vector Control Officer
Moderate demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000
Vector control at Ministry of Health
Entomology Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Research at ICIPE, KALRO and KEMRI
University Professor
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in biology departments

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, entomology researchers, medical entomologists, and pest management specialists in universities, KEMRI, ICIPE, KALRO, and international research organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Entomology is just about collecting bugs
Entomology encompasses medical entomology for disease vector control, agricultural pest management, insect ecology and biodiversity, molecular entomology, and insect physiology, making it a critical science for health and food security.
A PhD in entomology has limited career prospects
Kenya faces major challenges from insect-borne diseases and agricultural pests, creating demand for entomology researchers at KEMRI, ICIPE, KALRO, and international research organisations.
Entomology research is not relevant to Kenya
Kenya bears a high burden of malaria and other vector-borne diseases, and agricultural pests threaten food security, making entomology research critical for national health and agriculture.
Entomology is only for those interested in insects
Entomology has direct applications in public health, agriculture, conservation, and biotechnology, making it relevant to multiple sectors beyond pure insect science.