Agriculture

Master of Science in Applied Crop Science

The Master of Science in Applied Crop Science is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in advanced crop production, crop improvement, and sustainable crop management. The programme prepares graduates to address food security and agricultural productivity challenges through applied crop science.

Core areas include crop physiology, crop breeding, agronomy, soil science, pest management, crop ecology, biotechnology, seed science, post-harvest technology, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical field and laboratory applications.

The programme is offered by Rongo University, Kirinyaga University, and Pwani University, with Taita Taveta University as a college. TTU offers MSc in Applied Crop Science at its Ngerenyi Campus in Voi. Rongo University offers related MSc in Plant Breeding through its School of Science, Agriculture, and Environmental Studies.

Students develop competencies in crop production, breeding, pest management, soil fertility, crop ecology, seed technology, biotechnology, and research. The programme includes coursework, field practicals, laboratory sessions, examinations, and a research thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time and part-time study modes. TTU offers the programme full-time at Ngerenyi Campus. The programme accommodates both full-time students and working professionals.

Graduates pursue careers as crop scientists, agronomists, breeders, extension officers, researchers, and consultants in agricultural research institutions, government, seed companies, and international agricultural organisations.

Skills Required

Crop Production and Agronomy
Crop Breeding and Improvement
Pest and Disease Management
Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management
Crop Physiology and Ecology
Seed Science and Technology
Agricultural Biotechnology Applications
Post-Harvest Technology
Statistical Analysis in Crop Science
Research Methods in Agriculture

Key Subjects

Crop Physiology
Crop Breeding and Genetics
Agronomy and Crop Production
Soil Science and Fertility
Pest and Disease Management
Crop Ecology
Seed Science and Technology
Agricultural Biotechnology
Post-Harvest Technology
Research Methods in Crop Science

Certifications

KEPHIS Seed Certification
KALRO Crop Science Certification

Specializations

Crop Breeding and Genetics

Focuses on crop breeding, genetic improvement, plant breeding techniques, developing improved varieties, and applying genetics to crop improvement.

Agronomy and Crop Production

Examines agronomy, crop production systems, cropping systems, field management, and optimising crop productivity and sustainability.

Pest and Disease Management

Covers pest management, disease control, integrated pest management, plant protection, and managing crop health challenges.

Seed Science and Technology

Focuses on seed science, seed production, seed quality, seed technology, and producing and managing quality seed for crop production.

Crop Physiology

Examines crop physiology, plant growth and development, stress physiology, and understanding physiological processes in crop production.

Agricultural Biotechnology

Covers agricultural biotechnology, tissue culture, molecular breeding, GMOs, and applying biotechnology tools to crop improvement.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 200,000
Job market: High

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: 18 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Crop Physiology
Crop Breeding and Genetics
Agronomy and Crop Production
Soil Science and Fertility
Pest and Disease Management
Crop Ecology
Seed Science and Technology
Agricultural Biotechnology
Post-Harvest Technology
Research Methods in Crop Science

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Crop Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines advanced crop physiology, plant growth and development, photosynthesis, stress physiology, and understanding physiological processes in crop production.
Crop Breeding and Genetics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers crop breeding, genetic improvement, plant breeding techniques, variety development, and applying genetics to crop improvement.
Advanced Agronomy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines advanced agronomy, cropping systems, field management, crop establishment, and optimising crop productivity and sustainability.
Soil Science and Fertility Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers soil science, soil fertility, nutrient management, soil analysis, and sustainable soil management for crop production.
Pest and Disease Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines pest management, disease control, integrated pest management, plant protection, and managing crop health challenges.
Crop Ecology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers crop ecology, crop-environment interactions, agroecosystems, climate effects on crops, and understanding ecological processes in crop production.
Seed Science and Technology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines seed science, seed production, seed quality, seed testing, seed certification, and producing and managing quality seed.
Agricultural Biotechnology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers agricultural biotechnology, tissue culture, molecular breeding, genetic modification, and applying biotechnology tools to crop improvement.
Post-Harvest Technology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines post-harvest technology, post-harvest losses, storage, processing, and managing post-harvest quality of crop products.
Research Methods in Crop Science
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for crop science, experimental design, data analysis, and conducting crop science research, preparing students for their thesis.
Statistical Methods in Agriculture
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines statistical methods for agricultural research, experimental design, analysis of variance, regression, and using statistical software for crop data analysis.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an applied crop science topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and crop science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Crop Breeding and Genetics
Focuses on crop breeding, genetic improvement, plant breeding techniques, developing improved varieties, and applying genetics to crop improvement.
Agronomy and Crop Production
Examines agronomy, crop production systems, cropping systems, field management, and optimising crop productivity and sustainability.
Pest and Disease Management
Covers pest management, disease control, integrated pest management, plant protection, and managing crop health challenges.
Seed Science and Technology
Focuses on seed science, seed production, seed quality, seed technology, and producing and managing quality seed for crop production.
Crop Physiology
Examines crop physiology, plant growth and development, stress physiology, and understanding physiological processes in crop production.
Agricultural Biotechnology
Covers agricultural biotechnology, tissue culture, molecular breeding, GMOs, and applying biotechnology tools to crop improvement.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Applied Crop Science programme begins with morning lectures on crop physiology, breeding, or agronomy. Students engage in theoretical discussions on crop growth, genetic improvement, and production systems. Laboratory sessions involve plant tissue culture, seed testing, soil analysis, and crop diagnostic techniques. Field practicals take students to research farms, crop fields, and agricultural research stations where they observe and participate in crop production, breeding trials, and pest management. Agronomy sessions cover cropping systems, field management, and optimising crop productivity. Breeding sessions examine plant breeding techniques, variety development, and genetic improvement. Pest management sessions cover integrated pest management, disease control, and plant protection. Soil science sessions involve soil analysis, fertility management, and sustainable soil management. Seed science sessions cover seed production, quality testing, and seed technology. Biotechnology sessions examine tissue culture, molecular breeding, and applying biotechnology to crop improvement. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing. Guest lectures from KALRO researchers, KEPHIS inspectors, and seed industry professionals provide real-world insights. The programme at TTU is offered at Ngerenyi Campus with access to agricultural research facilities. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's food security challenges and agricultural transformation create high demand for qualified crop scientists in research, extension, and seed industry.
TTU offers the programme at Ngerenyi Campus with agricultural research facilities and field stations for practical training.
Programme combines breeding, agronomy, pest management, and biotechnology, providing versatile crop science expertise.
Strong career opportunities with KALRO, KEPHIS, seed companies, and international agricultural research centres like CIMMYT.

Against it

Specific fee structures for most listed universities could not be independently verified from official sources.
Programme requires strong background in biology and agriculture, which may exclude some science graduates.
Field work and practical sessions may require travel to agricultural research stations, adding to programme costs.
Career opportunities may be concentrated in agricultural areas, potentially limiting urban career options.

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

Public120k to 200k

120k at Kirinyaga University200k at Taita Taveta 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

Unverified; kept existing values. No specific fee data found online.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. CIMMYT provides research grants for crop improvement in developing countries. FAO supports plant production and crop science initiatives. The programme's food security focus attracts agricultural development donor funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
CIMMYT Research Grants
FAO Plant Production Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate crop science studies at recognised universities.
CIMMYT Research Grants
GrantKsh 400,000
CIMMYT provides research grants for crop improvement in developing countries, supporting postgraduate training and research in maize and wheat science.
FAO Plant Production Grants
GrantKsh 300,000
FAO supports plant production and crop science initiatives, providing grants for postgraduate training and research in sustainable crop production.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is designed for agriculture and plant science graduates. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time study modes. TTU offers the programme at Ngerenyi Campus, Voi. Rongo University offers related MSc Plant Breeding. Application fee KES 1,500 for postgraduate applicants at TTU.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, field reports, laboratory reports, and class participation throughout the programme.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering crop physiology, breeding, agronomy, and pest management, conducted at end of each semester.
Practical and Field Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of practical skills including field techniques, laboratory analysis, crop diagnostic skills, and field reports from research stations.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an applied crop science topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and crop science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Taita Taveta University offers MSc in Applied Crop Science through its School of Agriculture at Ngerenyi Campus. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate crop science training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Taita Taveta University offers MSc in Applied Crop Science through its School of Agriculture at Ngerenyi Campus. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate crop science training.
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
Professional accreditation
KEPHIS regulates plant health, seed certification, and variety protection in Kenya. Graduates working in seed production may require KEPHIS-compliant training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Crop Scientist
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts crop science research, developing improved varieties, optimising production systems, and contributing to agricultural productivity in research institutions.
Agronomist
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 400,000
Advises on crop production, field management, cropping systems, and optimising crop productivity for farmers and agricultural organisations.
Plant Breeder
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Develops improved crop varieties through breeding, conducting breeding trials, selecting superior lines, and releasing new varieties for seed companies or research institutions.
Extension Officer
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides agricultural extension services to farmers, transferring crop production technology, advising on farming practices, and supporting crop development.
Seed Technologist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages seed production, quality control, seed testing, and certification in seed companies, ensuring quality seed for crop production.
Research Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts crop science research in research institutions or universities, developing improved technologies and contributing to agricultural knowledge.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as crop scientists, agronomists, breeders, and researchers in agricultural research institutions, seed companies, and government.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R Statistical Computing
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source statistical computing environment for agricultural data analysis, experimental design, and crop science research.
GIS Software
SoftwarePrimary
Geographic information systems for mapping crop areas, analysing land use, soil mapping, and planning crop production.
Tissue Culture Equipment
Equipment
Laboratory equipment for plant tissue culture, micropropagation, and in vitro plant regeneration for crop improvement.
Soil Analysis Equipment
Equipment
Laboratory equipment for soil analysis, measuring soil nutrients, pH, organic matter, and soil fertility parameters.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Applied crop science is just about farming.
Applied crop science involves advanced breeding, biotechnology, physiology, pest management, and research, far beyond basic farming.
There is limited demand for crop scientists in Kenya.
Kenya's food security challenges, agricultural transformation, and seed industry development create high demand for qualified crop scientists.
This programme is the same as general agriculture.
Applied crop science specifically focuses on crop improvement, production, and protection, while general agriculture covers broader agricultural topics.
Crop breeding is outdated in the biotechnology era.
Modern crop breeding integrates biotechnology, molecular markers, and conventional breeding, making breeding skills more relevant than ever.
This programme only leads to careers in research.
Graduates pursue diverse careers in seed companies, extension, agribusiness, consulting, farming, and policy, not just research.
Applied crop science is less rigorous than pure crop science.
Applied crop science combines scientific rigour with practical application, ensuring research translates to real agricultural improvements.