Agriculture

Master of Science (Genetics and Plant Breeding)

The Master of Science in Genetics and Plant Breeding is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in plant genetics, crop improvement, and plant breeding technology. The programme combines genetics theory with plant breeding methodology and biotechnology application.

Core areas include plant genetics, plant breeding, molecular genetics, population genetics, biotechnology, biometry, seed science, crop quality, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both genetic theory and practical plant breeding application through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by Maseno University and University of Nairobi. Both are public universities offering the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in plant genetics, plant breeding methods, molecular genetics, population genetics, biotechnology, biometry, seed science, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, field work, examinations, and a research thesis.

Maseno University charges approximately KES 128,110 to KES 179,400/year for masters programmes. UoN charges approximately KES 435,000/year (total KES 870,000). Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with First Class or Second Class Honours Upper Division in agriculture, biological sciences, botany, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as plant breeders, geneticists, biotechnology researchers, seed scientists, agricultural researchers, and lecturers in genetics and plant breeding across research institutions, seed companies, and universities.

Skills Required

Plant Genetics and Molecular Biology
Plant Breeding Methods and Techniques
Molecular Genetics and DNA Mapping
Population and Quantitative Genetics
Plant Biotechnology and Tissue Culture
Biometry and Experimental Design
Seed Science and Technology
Crop Quality and Trait Analysis
Research Methods in Plant Science
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Molecular Genetics
Advanced Plant Breeding
Population and Quantitative Genetics
Plant Biotechnology
Biometry and Computing
Seed Science and Technology
Crop Quality and Trait Analysis
Plant Physiology
Research Methods in Plant Science
Thesis Research

Certifications

KEPHIS Seed Certification Certification
KALRO Associate Membership

Specializations

Molecular Plant Breeding

Focuses on molecular plant breeding, covering molecular markers, marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, and managing molecular breeding programmes.

Classical Plant Breeding

Examines classical plant breeding, covering hybridisation, selection, mutation breeding, and managing classical breeding programmes.

Plant Biotechnology

Covers plant biotechnology, covering tissue culture, genetic transformation, gene editing, and managing plant biotechnology.

Population Genetics

Focuses on population genetics, covering genetic variation, population structure, gene flow, and managing population genetics analysis.

Seed Science and Technology

Examines seed science, covering seed production, seed testing, seed storage, seed certification, and managing seed programmes.

Crop Quality and Nutrition

Covers crop quality, covering nutritional quality, quality traits, quality assessment, and managing crop quality improvement.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 435,000
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: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Molecular Genetics
Advanced Plant Breeding
Population and Quantitative Genetics
Plant Biotechnology
Biometry and Computing
Seed Science and Technology
Crop Quality and Trait Analysis
Plant Physiology
Research Methods in Plant Science
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Molecular Genetics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines molecular genetics, covering DNA structure, gene expression, molecular markers, DNA mapping, and managing molecular genetics research.
Advanced Plant Breeding
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers breeding methods, hybridisation, selection, mutation breeding, marker-assisted selection, and managing plant breeding programmes.
Population and Quantitative Genetics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines genetic variation, population structure, gene flow, quantitative genetics, and managing population genetics analysis.
Biometry and Computing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers experimental design, statistical analysis, data management, computing, and managing biometric analysis.
Plant Biotechnology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers tissue culture, genetic transformation, gene editing, biotechnology applications, and managing plant biotechnology.
Seed Science and Technology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines seed production, seed testing, seed storage, seed certification, seed quality, and managing seed programmes.
Crop Quality
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers nutritional quality, quality traits, quality assessment, quality improvement, and managing crop quality.
Advanced Plant Physiology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines plant physiology, covering photosynthesis, plant growth, stress physiology, and managing plant physiology research.
Disease and Pest Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers plant diseases, pest management, integrated pest management, and managing disease and pest resistance breeding.
Biodiversity and Agroforestry Resources
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines biodiversity, genetic resources, germplasm conservation, agroforestry, and managing plant genetic resources.
Research Methodology and Proposal Writing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, proposal writing, and conducting plant science research, preparing students for their thesis.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a genetics or plant breeding topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and plant breeding knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Molecular Plant Breeding
Focuses on molecular plant breeding, covering molecular markers, marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, and managing molecular breeding programmes.
Classical Plant Breeding
Examines classical plant breeding, covering hybridisation, selection, mutation breeding, and managing classical breeding programmes.
Plant Biotechnology
Covers plant biotechnology, covering tissue culture, genetic transformation, gene editing, and managing plant biotechnology.
Population Genetics
Focuses on population genetics, covering genetic variation, population structure, gene flow, and managing population genetics analysis.
Seed Science and Technology
Examines seed science, covering seed production, seed testing, seed storage, seed certification, and managing seed programmes.
Crop Quality and Nutrition
Covers crop quality, covering nutritional quality, quality traits, quality assessment, and managing crop quality improvement.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Genetics and Plant Breeding programme combines lectures, laboratory practicals, field work, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover plant genetics, plant breeding, molecular genetics, population genetics, and biotechnology. Plant genetics sessions examine genetic principles, gene expression, genetic variation, and managing plant genetics research. Plant breeding sessions cover breeding methods, hybridisation, selection, mutation breeding, and managing plant breeding programmes. Molecular genetics sessions cover molecular markers, DNA mapping, marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, and managing molecular breeding. Population genetics sessions cover genetic variation, population structure, gene flow, quantitative genetics, and managing population genetics analysis. Biotechnology sessions cover tissue culture, genetic transformation, gene editing, and managing plant biotechnology. Biometry sessions cover experimental design, statistical analysis, data management, and managing biometric analysis. Seed science sessions cover seed production, seed testing, seed storage, seed certification, and managing seed programmes. Crop quality sessions cover nutritional quality, quality traits, quality assessment, and managing crop quality improvement. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory practicals provide hands-on experience with DNA extraction, PCR, tissue culture, and laboratory techniques. Field work provides practical experience with breeding nurseries, field trials, germplasm evaluation, and field data collection. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in plant genetics and breeding. Guest lectures from experienced plant breeders, geneticists, and researchers provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on a genetics or plant breeding topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand for plant breeders with increasing food security needs, seed industry growth, and climate adaptation requirements in Kenya.
Programme is offered by multiple universities (Maseno, UoN), providing institutional choice.
Programme combines genetics with plant breeding and biotechnology, providing versatile skills for crop improvement.
Maseno University offers affordable fees at approximately KES 128,110-179,400/year.

Against it

UoN fees are relatively high at approximately KES 435,000/year (total KES 870,000).
No private university confirmed offering this exact programme, limiting options.
Programme requires strong background in biology and genetics, which may be challenging for some students.
Career prospects may be concentrated in research institutions and seed companies, limiting options in other sectors.

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

Public134k to 435k

134k at Maseno University435k at University of Nairobi

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 870K/2=435K/yr; Maseno ~134K/yr. Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KALRO may provide training support for research staff. CIMMYT and other international research centres may provide training support for plant breeders in developing countries. Some seed companies and agricultural organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KALRO Training Support
CIMMYT Training Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KALRO Training Support
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization supports training for research staff.
CIMMYT Training Support
GrantKsh 300,000
CIMMYT provides training support for plant breeders in developing countries.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Most universities require First Class or Upper Second Class Honours in agriculture, biological sciences, or related field. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience or Postgraduate Diploma are considered. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, field reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering plant genetics, plant breeding, molecular genetics, population genetics, and biotechnology.
Practical and Laboratory Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, field trials, breeding projects, molecular analysis, and demonstrating genetics and breeding skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a genetics or plant breeding topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and plant breeding knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Maseno University and University of Nairobi (both public) offer MSc in Genetics and Plant Breeding. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in plant genetics and breeding. Graduates are eligible for KEPHIS seed certification certification and KALRO associate membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Maseno University and University of Nairobi (both public) offer MSc in Genetics and Plant Breeding. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in plant genetics and breeding. Graduates are eligible for KEPHIS seed certification certification and KALRO associate membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Plant Breeder
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages plant breeding programmes, overseeing variety development, field trials, selection, and managing breeding operations.
Geneticist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 600,000
Conducts genetic research, overseeing genetic analysis, molecular genetics, gene mapping, and managing genetics research.
Biotechnology Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 600,000
Conducts biotechnology research, overseeing tissue culture, genetic transformation, gene editing, and managing biotechnology research.
Seed Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages seed programmes, overseeing seed production, seed testing, seed quality, and managing seed science operations.
Agricultural Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts agricultural research, overseeing research design, data collection, analysis, and managing agricultural research activities.
Genetics Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches genetics and plant breeding at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, laboratory supervision, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

PCR Machine
EquipmentPrimary
PCR machine for molecular genetics, covering DNA amplification, molecular markers, genotyping, and managing molecular analysis.
Tissue Culture Lab
Equipment
Tissue culture laboratory for plant biotechnology, covering micropropagation, tissue culture, regeneration, and managing tissue culture operations.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for biometry and genetics research, covering data analysis, statistical tests, and managing research data.
R
Software
R statistical software for quantitative genetics, covering genetic analysis, QTL mapping, and managing genetic data analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Plant breeding is just about crossing plants.
Plant breeding covers comprehensive genetic science including molecular genetics, population genetics, biotechnology, and advanced breeding methodologies.
This programme is only for those working in agriculture.
Genetics and plant breeding skills are valuable in research, biotechnology, seed industry, conservation, and any organisation dealing with plant genetic resources.
Plant breeding has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing seed industry, food security needs, and biotechnology advancement, demand for plant breeders is increasing in Kenya.
Genetic modification is the same as traditional breeding.
Genetic modification involves direct gene transfer, while traditional breeding uses hybridisation and selection, but both require deep genetic understanding.
This programme is not relevant to modern challenges.
Plant breeding is critical to food security, climate adaptation, nutritional improvement, and sustainable agriculture.
Biotechnology is just about GMOs.
Plant biotechnology covers tissue culture, marker-assisted selection, gene editing, and many non-GMO applications.