Science

Doctor of Philosophy in Reproductive Biology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Reproductive Biology is a postgraduate research programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the Department of Human Anatomy and the College of Health Sciences. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on reproductive biology, including reproductive endocrinology, gamete biology, embryology, reproductive health, and fertility, contributing to reproductive health knowledge and practice in Kenya and globally.

Students engage with advanced reproductive biology, reproductive endocrinology, gamete and embryo biology, reproductive health research, fertility preservation, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent laboratory and clinical research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to reproductive biology.

Kenya faces significant reproductive health challenges including infertility, maternal mortality, reproductive cancers, and adolescent reproductive health issues. The programme addresses national health priorities under the Kenya Health Policy Framework and Vision 2030 by training researchers who can inform reproductive health policy, fertility services, and maternal health interventions.

Teaching methods include lectures, laboratory sessions, clinical research at KNH's reproductive health department, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to UoN's anatomy and reproductive biology laboratories and collaborate with clinical researchers at teaching hospitals.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, reproductive biology researchers, fertility specialists, reproductive health consultants, and biomedical researchers in universities, research institutions, hospitals, and international health organisations. The programme provides advanced expertise for leadership roles in reproductive biology research and reproductive health.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in reproductive biology, anatomy, medical physiology, biomedical sciences, or related health sciences who are committed to advancing knowledge in reproductive biology and health.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 392,000
Private, up to: Ksh 288,000
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

Reproductive Endocrinology
Gamete Biology
Embryology and Development
Reproductive Health Research
Fertility and Infertility
Research Methodology
Reproductive Anatomy
Thesis Research
Biostatistics
Reproductive Toxicology

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Reproductive Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of reproductive systems including gonadal function, gametogenesis, fertilisation, and early embryo development
Advanced Reproductive Biology and Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Reproductive biology, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Reproductive Endocrinology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Hormonal regulation of reproduction including hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, reproductive hormones, and endocrine disorders
Reproductive Endocrinology and Hormone Regulation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Endocrinology, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Gamete Biology and Embryology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Biology of sperm and oocyte, fertilisation, early embryonic development, and assisted reproductive technologies
Gamete Biology and Fertilisation
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Gamete biology, covering biological principles, research techniques, and their application in understanding living systems.
Reproductive Health Research
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods for studying reproductive health including infertility epidemiology, maternal health, and adolescent reproductive health
Reproductive Toxicology and Environmental Impacts
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Toxicology, covering ecological principles, environmental management approaches, and sustainability challenges in contemporary contexts.
Fertility and Infertility Research
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Causes, diagnosis, and treatment of infertility including male and female factors, IVF, and fertility preservation
Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
ART, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Detailed anatomical and physiological basis of reproductive systems relevant to research and clinical practice
Research Methods in Reproductive Biology
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.

Specialisations

Fertility Technology Research
Specialization in Fertility Technology Research, preparing graduates for careers such as fertility-tech-specialist.
Medical Laboratory Science
Specialization in Medical Laboratory Science, preparing graduates for careers such as medical-laboratory-scientist.
Public Health Practice
Specialization in Public Health Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as public-health-specialist.
Clinical Research
Specialization in Clinical Research, preparing graduates for careers such as clinical-research-coordinator.
Academic Research
Specialization in Academic Research, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.
Biomedical Research
Specialization in Biomedical Research, preparing graduates for careers such as biomedical-scientist.
Contraception Research
Research on contraception
Reproductive Endocrinology
Research on reproductive endocrinology
Assisted Reproduction
Research on assisted reproduction
Reproductive Toxicology
Research on reproductive toxicology

A day as a student

A typical day combines laboratory work on gamete biology and embryology with clinical research at KNH, data analysis, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend research seminars, present findings at departmental colloquia, and engage with reproductive health clinicians.

The trade offs

In its favour

Access to KEMRI, WHO and IPPF
Growing demand for fertility and reproductive health expertise in Kenya
Opportunities for international collaboration through WHO, UNFPA, and AFFS
Contributes to reproductive health policy and clinical practice

Against it

Laboratory equipment and reagents are expensive
Requires strong biomedical and laboratory skills
Ethical approvals for reproductive research are complex
Research involving human subjects requires complex ethical approvals

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 392k

367k at Kenyatta University392k at University of Nairobi

Private150k to 288k

150k at Mount Kenya University288k 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 392K/yr (uonbi SBS), KU 367.2K/yr (ku.ac.ke). MKU 150K, Kabarak 288K/yr.

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, WHO/TDR fellowships, DAAD scholarships, and NRF research grants for reproductive health research.

Funding options

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

Scholarships

5 recorded

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

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 Reproductive Biology, Anatomy, Medical Physiology, Biomedical Sciences, or related health science from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor's degree in a biomedical or health-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
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark
Thesis Examination
Coursework100% of the mark
Oral Viva Voce
Coursework100% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Graduates collaborate with KEMRI and clinical researchers at teaching hospitals.

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

Fertility Specialist
High demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 700,000
Fertility at clinics and hospitals
Reproductive Physiologist
Moderate demandKsh 220,000 to Ksh 550,000
Physiology at research institutes
University Professor
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaching and research in biology departments
Reproductive Health Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Advises government, WHO, UNFPA, and NGOs on reproductive health policy and programmes
Reproductive Biology Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts reproductive biology research at KEMRI, research institutions, or international health organisations
University Lecturer (Reproductive Biology)
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches reproductive biology and conducts research in university medical or anatomy departments
Fertility Specialist (Research)
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Combines fertility clinical practice with research at fertility clinics and teaching hospitals

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, reproductive biology researchers, fertility specialists, and reproductive health consultants in universities, research institutions, hospitals, and international health organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Reproductive biology is only about fertility treatment
Reproductive biology encompasses reproductive endocrinology, gamete biology, embryology, reproductive cancers, reproductive toxicology, and public health aspects of reproduction, not just IVF and fertility treatment.
Reproductive biology research is not relevant to Kenya
Kenya faces significant reproductive health challenges including infertility, maternal mortality, and reproductive cancers, requiring research to inform policy and clinical practice.
A PhD in reproductive biology has limited career prospects
Graduates work in universities, research institutions, fertility clinics, WHO, UNFPA, and NGOs addressing reproductive health, with growing demand for reproductive expertise.
Reproductive biology is only for medical doctors
The programme accepts graduates with Master's degrees in biomedical sciences, anatomy, physiology, or related fields, not only medical doctors.