Environmental Science

Master of Science in Applied Marine and Coastal Resources

The Master of Science in Applied Marine and Coastal Resources is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in marine resource management, coastal zone management, and ocean science. The programme combines marine science theory with practical resource management and conservation application.

Core areas include oceanography, marine ecology, fisheries management, coastal zone management, marine pollution, marine biology, climate change and marine environments, legal frameworks, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both marine theory and practical field and laboratory work through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University through the School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Pwani University through the School of Pure and Applied Sciences, and the University of Nairobi. All are public universities offering the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in oceanography, marine ecology, fisheries management, coastal zone management, marine pollution, marine biology, climate change impacts, legal frameworks, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, fieldwork, and a supervised research thesis.

KU charges approximately KES 326,400/year for science programmes. Pwani University charges approximately KES 145,000/year for postgraduate programmes. UoN charges approximately KES 433,500/year for related environmental programmes. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in marine sciences, biology, environmental sciences, zoology, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as marine resource managers, fisheries officers, environmental consultants, marine researchers, conservation officers, and lecturers in marine science across government agencies, research institutions, NGOs, coastal management authorities, and universities.

Skills Required

Oceanography and Marine Science
Marine Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation
Fisheries Management and Stock Assessment
Coastal Zone Management and Planning
Marine Pollution Monitoring and Control
Marine Biology and Species Identification
Climate Change Impact on Marine Environments
Legal Frameworks in Marine Resource Management
Research Methods in Marine Science
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Oceanography and Marine Science
Marine Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation
Fisheries Management and Stock Assessment
Coastal Zone Management and Planning
Marine Pollution Monitoring and Control
Marine Biology and Species Identification
Climate Change Impact on Marine Environments
Legal Frameworks in Marine Resource Management
Research Methods in Marine Science
Thesis Research

Certifications

KMFRI Marine Research Certification
WIOMSA Marine Professional Certification

Specializations

Fisheries Management

Focuses on fisheries management, covering stock assessment, fisheries policy, sustainable fishing, aquaculture, and managing fisheries.

Marine Ecology

Examines marine ecology, covering marine ecosystems, biodiversity, coral reefs, mangroves, and managing marine ecology.

Coastal Zone Management

Covers coastal zone management, covering coastal planning, shoreline management, land use, ICZM, and managing coastal zones.

Marine Pollution

Focuses on marine pollution, covering pollution monitoring, marine contaminants, oil spills, plastic pollution, and managing marine pollution.

Marine Conservation

Examines marine conservation, covering MPAs, endangered species, habitat restoration, conservation planning, and managing marine conservation.

Blue Economy

Covers blue economy, covering ocean economy, sustainable use, maritime policy, economic valuation, and managing blue economy.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 295,800
Private, up to: Ksh 215,250
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

Oceanography and Marine Science
Marine Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation
Fisheries Management and Stock Assessment
Coastal Zone Management and Planning
Marine Pollution Monitoring and Control
Marine Biology and Species Identification
Climate Change Impact on Marine Environments
Legal Frameworks in Marine Resource Management
Research Methods in Marine Science
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Oceanography
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines physical oceanography, chemical oceanography, geological oceanography, ocean circulation, and managing oceanography.
Marine Ecology and Biodiversity
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers marine ecosystems, coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, biodiversity, and managing marine ecology.
Research Methods in Marine Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, field methods, and conducting marine research, preparing students for their thesis.
Fisheries Exploitation and Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines stock assessment, fisheries policy, sustainable fishing, gear technology, and managing fisheries.
Coastal Zone Management and Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers coastal planning, shoreline management, land use, ICZM, erosion control, and managing coastal zones.
Marine Pollution and Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines pollution monitoring, marine contaminants, oil spills, plastic pollution, eutrophication, and managing marine pollution.
Climate Change and Marine Environments
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers sea level rise, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, warming, and managing climate change impacts on marine environments.
Legal Framework in Marine Resource Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines UNCLOS, fisheries law, environmental law, MPAs, international conventions, and managing legal frameworks.
Marine Biology and Fisheries
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers marine species identification, taxonomy, physiology, behaviour, fisheries biology, and managing marine biology.
Coastal Forest Resources and Wetlands
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines coastal forests, mangrove ecology, wetland management, ecosystem services, and managing coastal resources.
Blue Economy and Sustainable Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers ocean economy, sustainable use, maritime policy, economic valuation, and managing blue economy.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a marine science topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and marine knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Fisheries Management
Focuses on fisheries management, covering stock assessment, fisheries policy, sustainable fishing, aquaculture, and managing fisheries.
Marine Ecology
Examines marine ecology, covering marine ecosystems, biodiversity, coral reefs, mangroves, and managing marine ecology.
Coastal Zone Management
Covers coastal zone management, covering coastal planning, shoreline management, land use, ICZM, and managing coastal zones.
Marine Pollution
Focuses on marine pollution, covering pollution monitoring, marine contaminants, oil spills, plastic pollution, and managing marine pollution.
Marine Conservation
Examines marine conservation, covering MPAs, endangered species, habitat restoration, conservation planning, and managing marine conservation.
Blue Economy
Covers blue economy, covering ocean economy, sustainable use, maritime policy, economic valuation, and managing blue economy.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Applied Marine and Coastal Resources programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, fieldwork at coastal sites, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover oceanography, marine ecology, fisheries management, coastal zone management, and marine pollution. Oceanography sessions examine physical oceanography, chemical oceanography, geological oceanography, ocean circulation, and managing oceanography. Marine ecology sessions cover marine ecosystems, coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, biodiversity, and managing marine ecology. Fisheries management sessions cover stock assessment, fisheries policy, sustainable fishing, gear technology, and managing fisheries. Coastal zone management sessions cover coastal planning, shoreline management, land use, ICZM, erosion, and managing coastal zones. Marine pollution sessions cover pollution monitoring, marine contaminants, oil spills, plastic pollution, eutrophication, and managing marine pollution. Marine biology sessions cover marine species identification, taxonomy, physiology, behaviour, and managing marine biology. Climate change sessions cover sea level rise, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, warming, and managing climate change impacts. Legal framework sessions cover UNCLOS, fisheries law, environmental law, MPAs, and managing legal frameworks. Blue economy sessions cover ocean economy, sustainable use, maritime policy, economic valuation, and managing blue economy. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with water quality analysis, plankton identification, fish taxonomy, sediment analysis, and marine sample processing. Fieldwork at coastal sites provides hands-on experience with beach surveys, reef monitoring, mangrove assessment, water sampling, and fisheries data collection. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in marine science. Guest lectures from experienced marine scientists, fisheries officers, and conservation professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a marine science topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Steady demand for marine professionals with growing blue economy focus, fisheries management, coastal development, and marine conservation in Kenya.
Programme offered by three public universities (KU, Pwani, UoN) including Pwani University located near the Indian Ocean, providing excellent field access.
Pwani University offers competitive fees at approximately KES 145,000/year for postgraduate programmes.
Strong industry links with KMFRI, KWS Marine, and WIOMSA providing research collaboration and career opportunities.

Against it

UoN fees are higher at approximately KES 433,500/year for related environmental programmes.
The exact programme name may vary across institutions, potentially causing confusion for prospective students.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Programme requires marine sciences, biology, or environmental background, which limits access for non-related graduates.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 181 environmental science courses

Public187k to 296k

187k at Moi University296k at Kenyatta University

Private165k to 215k

165k at Kabarak University215k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa

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

KU Applied Coastal 295,800/yr (ku.ac.ke). Moi 187K. CUEA 215K, Kabarak 165K.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KU may offer postgraduate bursaries for eligible students. KMFRI and marine research organisations may provide research support. WIOMSA and international marine organisations may offer grants for marine research.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KU Postgraduate Bursary
KMFRI Research Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KU Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Kenyatta University offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
WIOMSA Marine Research Grant
GrantKsh 300,000
WIOMSA provides research grants for marine science professionals in the Western Indian Ocean region.

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 Upper Second Class Honours in marine sciences, biology, environmental sciences, or related fields. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience are considered. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, field reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering oceanography, marine ecology, fisheries, coastal management, and marine pollution.
Fieldwork and Practical Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through fieldwork exercises, coastal surveys, water quality analysis, species identification, and demonstrating marine science skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a marine science topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and marine knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University, Pwani University, and University of Nairobi (all public) offer MSc in marine and coastal resources or related programmes. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in marine science. Graduates are eligible for KMFRI marine research certification and WIOMSA marine professional certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University, Pwani University, and University of Nairobi (all public) offer MSc in marine and coastal resources or related programmes. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in marine science. Graduates are eligible for KMFRI marine research certification and WIOMSA marine professional certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Marine Resource Manager
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages marine resources, overseeing resource assessment, management planning, stakeholder engagement, and managing marine resources.
Fisheries Officer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages fisheries operations, overseeing stock assessment, licensing, enforcement, community engagement, and managing fisheries.
Environmental Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Provides environmental consulting, overseeing marine EIA, coastal assessment, conservation advisory, and managing environmental consulting.
Marine Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts marine research, overseeing research design, fieldwork, analysis, publication, and managing marine research.
Conservation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages marine conservation, overseeing MPAs, species protection, habitat restoration, and managing marine conservation.
Marine Science Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches marine science at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, field supervision, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R
SoftwarePrimary
R for marine data analysis, covering statistical analysis, time series, spatial analysis, and managing marine research data.
QGIS
Software
QGIS for spatial analysis, covering marine mapping, coastal mapping, habitat mapping, and managing spatial data.
ArcGIS
Software
ArcGIS for marine GIS, covering coastal zone mapping, MPAs, habitat suitability, and managing marine spatial data.
Python
Software
Python for data analysis, covering oceanographic data, fisheries data, modelling, and managing marine research data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Marine science is just about studying fish.
Marine science covers comprehensive oceanography, ecology, pollution, coastal management, conservation, policy, and blue economy beyond just fish.
This programme is only for those who live at the coast.
Marine science skills are valuable for research, policy, conservation, industry, consulting, and academia for professionals from any location.
Marine science has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing blue economy focus, fisheries management, coastal development, and marine conservation, demand for marine professionals is steady in Kenya.
Coastal zone management is just about beach management.
Coastal zone management covers comprehensive coastal planning, shoreline management, land use, ICZM, erosion control, and stakeholder engagement.
Fisheries management is just about catching fish sustainably.
Fisheries management covers comprehensive stock assessment, policy, gear regulation, ecosystem approaches, and community engagement.
Marine pollution is just about plastic.
Marine pollution covers comprehensive contaminants, oil spills, nutrients, heavy metals, microplastics, and eutrophication.