Science

Doctor of Philosophy in Genetics

The Doctor of Philosophy in Genetics is a postgraduate research programme offered at the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University through their respective departments of biological sciences. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on genetics including molecular genetics, population genetics, medical genetics, agricultural genetics, and genomics, contributing to health, agriculture, and biotechnology in Kenya and globally.

Students engage with advanced molecular genetics, population genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, genetic engineering, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent laboratory and computational research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to genetics.

Kenya faces genetic challenges including sickle cell disease, inherited disorders, crop and livestock improvement needs, and biodiversity conservation requiring genetic research. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 by training researchers who can apply genetic knowledge to health, agriculture, conservation, and biotechnology.

Teaching methods include lectures, molecular biology laboratory sessions, bioinformatics computing, field research, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to university genetics and molecular biology laboratories and collaborate with KEMRI, ILRI, ICIPE, and KALRO.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, genetics researchers, molecular biologists, biotechnologists, and bioinformaticians in universities, KEMRI, ILRI, KALRO, and biotechnology companies.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or related biological sciences who are committed to advancing knowledge in genetics and genomics.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 464,000
Private, up to: Ksh 150,000
Job market: High

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

Molecular Genetics
Population Genetics
Genomics
Bioinformatics
Genetic Engineering
Research Methodology
Medical Genetics
Thesis Research
Biostatistics
Comparative Genomics

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Molecular Genetics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced molecular genetics including gene regulation, epigenetics, DNA repair, and molecular techniques for genetic analysis
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Molecular genetics and genomics, covering genetic principles, molecular techniques, and their application in heredity and biotechnology research.
Population and Evolutionary Genetics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Population genetics including genetic variation, evolutionary forces, population structure, and phylogeography
Genomics and Bioinformatics
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Genomic technologies including whole genome sequencing, transcriptomics, and bioinformatics tools for genomic data analysis
Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Bioinformatics for genomics, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Medical Genetics and Genetic Diseases
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Medical genetics including inherited disorders, genetic screening, pharmacogenomics, and gene therapy approaches
Human and Medical Genetics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Human and medical genetics, covering clinical principles, evidence-based practice, and contemporary challenges in healthcare delivery and research.
Agricultural and Livestock Genetics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Genetics of crop and livestock improvement including marker-assisted selection, QTL mapping, and genetically modified organisms
Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Plant genetics for crop improvement, covering agricultural principles, production technologies, and their application in sustainable farming systems.
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Genetic engineering techniques including CRISPR-Cas9, transgenic technology, and biotechnology applications
Research Methods in Genetics
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.
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

Crop Genetics and Breeding
Specialization in Crop Genetics and Breeding, preparing graduates for careers such as crop-geneticist.
Academic Research in Science
Specialization in Academic Research in Science, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.
Agricultural Biotechnology
Specialization in Agricultural Biotechnology, preparing graduates for careers such as agricultural-biotechnologist.
Plant Breeding and Genetics
Specialization in Plant Breeding and Genetics, preparing graduates for careers such as plant-breeder-geneticist.
Genetics Research
Specialization in Genetics Research, preparing graduates for careers such as geneticist.
Biomedical Research
Specialization in Biomedical Research, preparing graduates for careers such as biomedical-scientist.
Plant Genetics
Research on plant genetics and crop improvement
Bioinformatics
Research on bioinformatics and computational genomics
Genetic Engineering
Research on genetic engineering and gene editing
Human Genetics
Research on human and medical genetics

A day as a student

A typical day combines molecular biology laboratory work with bioinformatics computing, genetic data analysis, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend biology research seminars, present findings at departmental colloquia, and engage with KEMRI and ILRI for collaborative research.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for genetics expertise in health, agriculture, and biotechnology
Access to KEMRI, KALRO, ILRI and BecA for research
Research contributes to health, agriculture and biotechnology
Cutting-edge field with applications in medicine, agriculture, and conservation

Against it

Requires strong laboratory and computational skills
Requires strong computational and statistical skills
Biotechnology research requires NBA approvals
Molecular biology research requires expensive equipment and reagents

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 243 science courses

Public367k to 464k

367k at Kenyatta University464k 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 Genetics PhD ~464K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). KU ~367K/yr (ku.ac.ke). MKU ~150K/yr.

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and Wellcome Trust research grants for genetics research.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
NRF Research Grant
Grant
Wellcome Trust Research Grant
Grant

Scholarships

5 recorded

NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers in Kenya
BecA-ILRI Research Grant
Grant
Biosciences researchers in Africa
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
NRF Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Researchers at Kenyan institutions conducting research relevant to national development
DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study

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 Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or related field from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or related science 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
Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, laboratory reports and seminar presentations
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark
Thesis Examination
Coursework100% 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
National Biosafety Authority
Professional
Regulates GMOs and biotechnology activities 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

Genetics Researcher
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts genetics research at KEMRI, ILRI, KALRO, or international research institutions
Agricultural Biotechnologist
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Applies genetic techniques for crop and livestock improvement at KALRO, seed companies, or biotechnology firms
Biomedical Scientist
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Applies genetic techniques in medical research and diagnostics at hospitals and research institutions
University Lecturer (Genetics)
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches genetics and conducts research in university biological science departments
Biotechnology Specialist
High demandKsh 190,000 to Ksh 480,000
Biotechnology at companies and NBA
University Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in science departments
Genomics Analyst
High demandKsh 190,000 to Ksh 480,000
Genomics analysis at BecA and research institutes

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, genetics researchers, molecular biologists, and biotechnologists in universities, KEMRI, ILRI, KALRO, and biotechnology companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Genetics is just about inherited traits
Genetics encompasses molecular genetics, population genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, genetic engineering, and comparative genomics, integrating laboratory and computational approaches.
A PhD in genetics has limited career prospects in Kenya
Growing biotechnology and health research sectors in Kenya create demand for genetics researchers at universities, KEMRI, ILRI, KALRO, and biotechnology companies.
Genetics research is not relevant to Kenya
Kenya faces genetic health challenges including sickle cell disease, needs crop and livestock improvement through genetics, and has unique biodiversity requiring genetic research for conservation.
Genetics is only for medical applications
Genetics has broad applications in medicine, agriculture, conservation, biotechnology, and forensic science, offering diverse career paths beyond medical genetics.