Environmental Science

Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Biology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Biology is a postgraduate research programme offered at the University of Eldoret through the School of Environmental Studies. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on biological aspects of environmental science, including biodiversity, ecosystem ecology, conservation biology, and environmental change impacts on biological systems, contributing to environmental conservation and sustainable development in Kenya and globally.

Students engage with advanced biodiversity science, ecosystem ecology, conservation biology, environmental change biology, ecological modelling, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent field and laboratory research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to environmental biology.

Kenya is globally recognised for its rich biodiversity including iconic wildlife, diverse ecosystems, and endemic species that face threats from habitat loss, climate change, and pollution. The programme addresses national environmental priorities under Vision 2030 and the National Biodiversity Strategy by training researchers who can inform biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, and environmental policy.

Teaching methods include lectures, field research in diverse ecosystems, laboratory analysis of biological samples, ecological modelling, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to University of Eldoret's environmental science laboratories and conduct field research in forests, wetlands, and savanna ecosystems across Kenya.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, environmental biology researchers, conservation biologists, ecological consultants, and environmental policy analysts in universities, KWS, KFS, NEMA, UNEP, and international conservation organisations.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in environmental biology, ecology, conservation biology, or related biological sciences who are committed to advancing knowledge in environmental biology and conservation.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 392,000
Private, up to: Ksh 313,700
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: 0 months
Average class: 5 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Biodiversity Science
Ecosystem Ecology
Conservation Biology
Environmental Change Biology
Ecological Modelling
Research Methodology
Restoration Ecology
Thesis Research
Biostatistics
Environmental Impact Assessment

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Biodiversity Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of biodiversity including species diversity, phylogenetics, biogeography, and biodiversity assessment methods
Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Health
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Biology of ecosystems and health, covering clinical principles, evidence-based practice, and contemporary challenges in healthcare delivery and research.
Ecosystem Ecology and Functioning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Ecosystem structure and functioning including energy flow, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem services in Kenyan ecosystems
Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Assessment and monitoring of biodiversity, covering assessment design, evaluation methodologies, data-driven decision-making, and quality assurance processes.
Conservation Biology and Practice
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Principles and practices of conservation biology including population viability analysis, protected area design, and conservation prioritisation
Pollution Biology and Ecotoxicology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Pollution and toxicity in ecosystems, covering biological principles, research techniques, and their application in understanding living systems.
Environmental Change Biology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Biological responses to environmental change including climate change impacts, habitat fragmentation, and pollution effects on organisms and ecosystems
Conservation Genetics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Genetics for conservation, covering ecological principles, conservation strategies, and their application in biodiversity management.
Ecological Modelling and Data Analysis
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Statistical and computational methods for ecological research including population models, species distribution models, and biodiversity informatics
Climate Change Biology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Biology of climate change impacts, covering biological principles, research techniques, and their application in understanding living systems.
Restoration Ecology and Habitat Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Principles and practices of ecological restoration including habitat rehabilitation, reforestation, and wetland restoration in Kenya
Research Methods in Environmental Biology
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.

Specialisations

Wildlife Conservation Research
Specialization in Wildlife Conservation Research, preparing graduates for careers such as wildlife-researcher.
Environmental Science Research
Specialization in Environmental Science Research, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Environmental Policy Analysis
Specialization in Environmental Policy Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-policy-analyst.
Conservation Area Management
Specialization in Conservation Area Management, preparing graduates for careers such as conservation-area-manager.
Wetland Ecology Research
Specialization in Wetland Ecology Research, preparing graduates for careers such as wetland-ecologist.
Academic Research in Environmental Science
Specialization in Academic Research in Environmental Science, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.
Freshwater Biology
Research on freshwater ecosystems
Climate Change Biology
Research on climate change biology
Conservation Genetics
Research on conservation genetics
Pollution Biology
Research on pollution and ecotoxicology

A day as a student

A typical day combines field research in diverse ecosystems with laboratory analysis of biological samples, ecological data analysis and modelling, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend environmental science seminars, present findings at departmental colloquia, and engage with KWS, KFS, and NEMA for field research.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's rich biodiversity creates unique research opportunities
Proximity to UNEP headquarters in Nairobi provides collaboration opportunities
Diverse career paths in academia, conservation, consulting, and policy
Opportunities for international collaboration through IUCN and UNEP

Against it

Field research in remote areas can be challenging
Career opportunities outside research are limited
Environmental biology is sometimes undervalued compared to medical or engineering fields
Working in conservation can involve conflicts with development priorities

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

Public170k to 392k

170k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology392k at University of Nairobi

Private150k to 314k

150k at Mount Kenya University314k 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

UoN PhD Bio Sci ~392K/yr (biology.uonbi.ac.ke). JKUAT ~170K. MKU 150K, Kabarak ~314K/yr

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and IUCN research fellowships for environmental biology research.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
NRF Research Grant
Grant
IUCN Research Fellowship
Fellowship

Scholarships

5 recorded

DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers in Kenya
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
IUCN Research Grant
Grant
Conservation researchers

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 Environmental Biology, Ecology, Conservation Biology, or related life/environmental science from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor's degree in Biology, Environmental Science, or related field
Research capability
Evidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

How you are assessed

5 components

Thesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Field and Laboratory Reports
Coursework20% of the mark
Thesis Examination
Coursework100% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% 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

6 roles

Environmental Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts environmental impact assessments and ecological surveys for development projects
Wildlife Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Conducts wildlife and biodiversity research at KWS, research institutions, or conservation organisations
University Lecturer (Environmental Science)
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Teaches environmental biology and conducts research in university environmental science departments
Conservation Biologist
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Conducts conservation research at KWS, IUCN, or international conservation organisations
Environmental Biology Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000
Research at KWS, NMK and research institutes
University Professor
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in biology departments

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, environmental biology researchers, conservation biologists, and ecological consultants in universities, KWS, KFS, NEMA, UNEP, and international conservation organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Environmental biology is just about studying plants and animals
Environmental biology encompasses biodiversity science, ecosystem ecology, conservation biology, environmental change impacts, ecological modelling, and restoration ecology, integrating biological and environmental science.
A PhD in environmental biology has limited career prospects
Kenya's rich biodiversity and conservation challenges create demand for environmental biology researchers at universities, KWS, KFS, NEMA, UNEP, and international conservation organisations.
Environmental biology research is not relevant to Kenya
Kenya's economy depends on wildlife tourism and ecosystem services, and biodiversity faces threats from habitat loss and climate change, making environmental biology research critical for sustainable development.
Environmental biology is only for those who want to work in national parks
Graduates work in diverse settings including universities, environmental consultancies, government agencies, international organisations, and private sector companies on environmental impact assessment and sustainability.

Related courses

Doctor of philosophy in environmental studies