Agriculture

Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Sciences

The Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Sciences is a postgraduate research programme offered at the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University through their respective departments of plant science and biological sciences. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on plant physiology, ecology, taxonomy, pathology, and crop protection, contributing to sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation in Kenya and globally.

Students engage with advanced plant physiology, plant ecology, plant taxonomy, plant pathology, plant biochemistry, 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 plant sciences.

Kenya's agriculture and natural ecosystems depend on healthy plant systems, but face threats from climate change, pests, diseases, and land degradation. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 and the Big Four Agenda by training researchers who can improve crop production, conserve plant biodiversity, and manage plant health.

Teaching methods include lectures, field research, laboratory analysis, herbarium studies, plant pathology practicals, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to UoN's Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection and KU's School of Pure and Applied Sciences, and collaborate with KALRO, KEFRI, the National Museums of Kenya, and international research institutions.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, plant scientists, botanists, crop protection specialists, and agricultural researchers in universities, KALRO, KEFRI, the National Museums of Kenya, and environmental organisations.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in plant sciences, botany, plant physiology, plant ecology, or related fields who are committed to advancing knowledge in plant sciences.

Duration: 3-4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 464,000
Private, up to: Ksh 300,000
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: 6 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Plant Physiology
Plant Ecology
Plant Taxonomy
Plant Pathology
Plant Biochemistry
Research Methodology
Crop Protection
Thesis Research
Biostatistics
Biodiversity Conservation

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Plant Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced plant physiological processes including photosynthesis, water relations, mineral nutrition, and stress physiology
Advanced Plant Sciences and Plant Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Plant physiology, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Plant Ecology and Ecosystems
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Plant ecology including population, community, and ecosystem dynamics in Kenyan ecosystems
Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Plant biochemistry, covering chemical principles, analytical techniques, and their application in research and industrial contexts.
Plant Taxonomy and Systematics
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Plant taxonomy including classification, identification, herbarium techniques, and phylogenetics
Plant Pathology and Crop Protection
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Plant diseases including their diagnosis, epidemiology, and management in agricultural and natural systems
Crop Production and Agronomy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Crop production, covering agricultural principles, production technologies, and their application in sustainable farming systems.
Plant Biochemistry and Metabolism
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Plant biochemistry including secondary metabolites, plant hormones, and metabolic pathways
Plant Ecology and Biodiversity
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Plant ecology, covering ecological principles, environmental management approaches, and sustainability challenges in contemporary contexts.
Biodiversity and Conservation of Plant Species
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Conservation biology including threats to plant biodiversity, ex situ and in situ conservation, and restoration ecology
Research Methods in Plant Sciences
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research methods, 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 plant science research

Specialisations

Botany Research
Specialization in Botany Research, preparing graduates for careers such as botanist.
Agricultural Biotechnology
Specialization in Agricultural Biotechnology, preparing graduates for careers such as agricultural-biotechnologist.
Agricultural Science Research
Specialization in Agricultural Science Research, preparing graduates for careers such as agricultural-scientist-junior.
Academic Research in Science
Specialization in Academic Research in Science, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.
Agronomy Research
Specialization in Agronomy Research, preparing graduates for careers such as agronomist-kenya.
Plant Breeding and Genetics
Specialization in Plant Breeding and Genetics, preparing graduates for careers such as plant-breeder-geneticist.
Plant Physiology
Research on plant physiology
Horticulture
Research on horticultural crops
Plant Ecology
Research on plant ecology
Plant Pathology
Research on plant diseases

A day as a student

A typical day combines field research in natural habitats or agricultural fields with laboratory analysis of plant samples, herbarium work, data analysis, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend plant science research seminars, present findings at colloquia, and collaborate with KALRO and KEFRI for research.

The trade offs

In its favour

Diverse research areas from agriculture to biodiversity conservation
Access to KALRO, KEPHIS and horticultural companies
Two public universities offer the programme providing choice and fee range
Strong institutional links with KALRO, KEFRI, and NMK

Against it

Laboratory and greenhouse equipment is expensive
Field research can be affected by weather and seasonal conditions
Field trials are season-dependent
Research funding for basic plant science can be limited

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

Public252k to 464k

252k at Egerton University464k at University of Nairobi

Private150k to 300k

150k at Mount Kenya University300k at Strathmore 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 464K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). Egerton 252K/yr. MKU 150K. Strathmore unverified

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and National Geographic research grants for plant sciences research.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
NRF Research Grant
Grant
National Geographic Research Grant
Grant

Scholarships

5 recorded

DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers in Kenya
NRF Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Researchers at Kenyan institutions conducting research relevant to national development
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities

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 Plant Sciences, Botany, Plant Physiology, Plant Ecology, or related field from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor's degree in Botany, Plant Sciences, Agriculture, or related 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 and field projects and seminar presentations
Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Oral Viva Voce
Coursework100% 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
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service
Professional
Regulates plant health in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

Crop Production Specialist
High demandKsh 220,000 to Ksh 550,000
Crop production at agricultural companies
Horticultural Consultant
High demandKsh 250,000 to Ksh 600,000
Consulting on horticultural production
University Professor
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaching and research in plant science departments
Plant Science Researcher
High demandKsh 220,000 to Ksh 550,000
Research at KALRO and research institutes
Plant Pathologist
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Researches and manages plant diseases at KALRO, KEPHIS, or agricultural research institutions
University Lecturer (Plant Sciences)
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches plant sciences and conducts research in university biological and agricultural departments
Agricultural Scientist (Junior)
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts agricultural and plant research at research institutions or agribusiness companies
Botanist
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Studies plant diversity and ecology at KEFRI, the National Museums of Kenya, or environmental organisations

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, plant scientists, botanists, and crop protection specialists in universities, KALRO, KEFRI, the National Museums of Kenya, and environmental organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Plant sciences is just about identifying plants
Plant sciences encompasses plant physiology, ecology, pathology, taxonomy, biochemistry, and crop protection, requiring rigorous scientific training.
A PhD in plant sciences has limited career prospects
Agricultural research, biodiversity conservation, forestry, and environmental management need plant scientists in Kenya.
Plant sciences research is not relevant to Kenya
Kenya's agriculture and natural ecosystems depend on plant science research for food security, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land management.
Plant sciences is the same as agriculture
Plant sciences focuses on the biology of plants, while agriculture applies plant science to crop production. Plant sciences provides the scientific foundation for agriculture.

Related courses

Doctor of philosophy in plant biotechnology