Health Sciences

Masters of Science in Applied Medical Entomology

The Master of Science in Applied Medical Entomology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in medical entomology, vector biology, and vector-borne disease control. The programme combines entomology theory with practical laboratory work, field vector surveillance, and research application.

Core areas include vector ecology, vector physiology and biochemistry, vector-pathogen interactions, insecticide resistance, vector control methods, medical entomology techniques, epidemiology of vector-borne diseases, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both entomology theory and practical laboratory and field work through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University as MSc in Applied Medical Entomology through the School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Maseno University as MSc in Medical Entomology and Vector Science through the School of Public Health, and JKUAT as MSc in Medical Parasitology and Entomology. All are public universities offering programmes over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in vector ecology, physiology, pathogen interactions, insecticide resistance, vector control, and medical entomology techniques. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, field surveillance, and a supervised research thesis.

Kenyatta University charges approximately KES 295,800/year for science masters programmes. JKUAT charges approximately KES 178,500/year (KES 357,000 total) for MSc in Medical Parasitology and Entomology. Maseno University charges similar fees for biomedical science and technology masters programmes. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in biological sciences, entomology, zoology, medicine, public health, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as medical entomologists, vector control specialists, public health entomologists, research scientists, vector surveillance officers, and lecturers in medical entomology across research institutions, public health agencies, NGOs, international organisations, and universities.

Skills Required

Vector Ecology and Population Biology
Vector Physiology and Biochemistry
Vector-Pathogen Interactions
Insecticide Resistance Management
Vector Control Methods and Implementation
Medical Entomology Laboratory Techniques
Epidemiology of Vector-Borne Diseases
Vector Surveillance and Monitoring
Research Methods in Medical Entomology
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Vector Ecology and Population Biology
Vector Physiology and Biochemistry
Vector-Pathogen Interactions
Insecticide Resistance Management
Vector Control Methods and Implementation
Medical Entomology Laboratory Techniques
Epidemiology of Vector-Borne Diseases
Vector Surveillance and Monitoring
Research Methods in Medical Entomology
Thesis Research

Certifications

KEMRI Medical Entomology Certification
WHO Vector Control Certification

Specializations

Vector Ecology

Focuses on vector ecology, covering population dynamics, distribution, habitat, and managing vector ecology research.

Vector Control

Examines vector control, covering insecticides, biological control, environmental management, ITNs, and managing vector control programmes.

Insecticide Resistance

Covers insecticide resistance, covering mechanisms, monitoring, management, and managing resistance surveillance.

Vector-Pathogen Interactions

Focuses on vector-pathogen interactions, covering transmission, infection, immunity, and managing vector-pathogen research.

Medical Entomology Techniques

Examines medical entomology techniques, covering collection, identification, rearing, bioassays, and managing entomology laboratory work.

Vector-Borne Disease Epidemiology

Covers vector-borne disease epidemiology, covering malaria, dengue, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and managing disease surveillance.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 326,400
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

Vector Ecology and Population Biology
Vector Physiology and Biochemistry
Vector-Pathogen Interactions
Insecticide Resistance Management
Vector Control Methods and Implementation
Medical Entomology Laboratory Techniques
Epidemiology of Vector-Borne Diseases
Vector Surveillance and Monitoring
Research Methods in Medical Entomology
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Vector Ecology and Population Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines population dynamics, distribution, habitat, sampling, and managing vector ecology research.
Vector Physiology, Biochemistry and Pathogen Interactions
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers digestion, reproduction, immunity, biochemistry, transmission, infection, and managing vector physiology and pathogen interactions.
Research Methods in Medical Entomology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, biostatistics, and conducting medical entomology research, preparing students for their thesis.
Control of Insects and Vectors of Medical Importance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines insecticides, biological control, environmental management, ITNs, IRS, and managing vector control programmes.
Techniques in Medical Entomology and Vector Sciences
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers collection, identification, rearing, dissection, bioassays, molecular techniques, and managing entomology laboratory work.
Insecticide Resistance and Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines resistance mechanisms, monitoring, bioassays, management strategies, and managing resistance surveillance.
Epidemiology of Vector-Borne Diseases
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers malaria, dengue, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, filariasis, transmission dynamics, and managing disease surveillance.
Molecular Biology of Vectors and Pathogens
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines molecular techniques, genomics, transcriptomics, population genetics, and managing molecular vector biology.
GIS for Vector Surveillance and Mapping
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis, risk mapping, and managing GIS for vector surveillance.
Integrated Vector Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines IVM strategies, combination control, policy, implementation, and managing integrated vector management.
Medical Entomology Seminar
Year 2Semester 11 creditsCore
Covers seminar presentations, literature review, research presentations, and academic discourse in medical entomology.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on an applied medical entomology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and entomology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Vector Ecology
Focuses on vector ecology, covering population dynamics, distribution, habitat, and managing vector ecology research.
Vector Control
Examines vector control, covering insecticides, biological control, environmental management, ITNs, and managing vector control programmes.
Insecticide Resistance
Covers insecticide resistance, covering mechanisms, monitoring, management, and managing resistance surveillance.
Vector-Pathogen Interactions
Focuses on vector-pathogen interactions, covering transmission, infection, immunity, and managing vector-pathogen research.
Medical Entomology Techniques
Examines medical entomology techniques, covering collection, identification, rearing, bioassays, and managing entomology laboratory work.
Vector-Borne Disease Epidemiology
Covers vector-borne disease epidemiology, covering malaria, dengue, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and managing disease surveillance.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Applied Medical Entomology programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, field surveillance, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover vector ecology, physiology, pathogen interactions, and vector control. Vector ecology sessions examine population dynamics, distribution, habitat, sampling, and managing vector ecology research. Vector physiology sessions cover digestion, reproduction, immunity, biochemistry, and managing vector physiology. Vector-pathogen interaction sessions cover transmission, infection, development, immunity, and managing vector-pathogen research. Insecticide resistance sessions cover mechanisms, monitoring, management, bioassays, and managing resistance surveillance. Vector control sessions cover insecticides, biological control, environmental management, ITNs, IRS, and managing vector control programmes. Medical entomology techniques sessions cover collection, identification, rearing, dissection, bioassays, and managing entomology laboratory work. Epidemiology sessions cover malaria, dengue, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and managing disease surveillance. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with mosquito rearing, identification, dissection, bioassays, and analytical instruments. Field surveillance provides hands-on experience with vector collection, trapping, identification, and field assessments. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with insecticide resistance testing, molecular techniques, and GIS for vector mapping. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in medical entomology and presenting research findings. Guest lectures from experienced entomologists, public health professionals, and researchers provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on an applied medical entomology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered by three public universities (KU, Maseno, JKUAT), providing institutional choice.
Medical entomology skills are critical for vector-borne disease control in Kenya including malaria, dengue, and neglected tropical diseases.
JKUAT offers competitive fees at approximately KES 178,500/year (KES 357,000 total).
Graduates are eligible for KEMRI and WHO certifications, enhancing career prospects.

Against it

KU charges higher fees at approximately KES 295,800/year.
Maseno specific medical entomology fees not independently verified.
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Career opportunities may be concentrated in research institutions and public health agencies, with limited private sector demand.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public248k to 326k

248k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology326k at Kenyatta 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

KU 326.4K/yr (ku.ac.ke). JKUAT Med Parasitol&Entomol 496K/2=248K/yr. Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KU and JKUAT may offer postgraduate bursaries. KEMRI and some research organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study. International organisations like WHO may offer research grants and fellowships for vector control research.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KU Postgraduate Scholarship
JKUAT Postgraduate Bursary

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KU Postgraduate Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
KU offers postgraduate scholarships for eligible students.
JKUAT Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
JKUAT offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: KU requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division in biological sciences or related fields. Maseno requires MBChB, BDS, BPharm, BVM, BSc Nursing, or relevant clinical or public health qualifications, or BSc in biological sciences. JKUAT requires Upper Second in biological sciences or related fields, or Lower Second with evidence of research ability. 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 vector ecology, physiology, control, and epidemiology of vector-borne diseases.
Practical and Laboratory Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, vector identification, dissection, bioassays, and demonstrating entomology skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on an applied medical entomology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and entomology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University, Maseno University, and JKUAT (all public) offer MSc programmes in applied medical entomology and related fields. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in medical entomology. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI medical entomology certification and WHO vector control certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University, Maseno University, and JKUAT (all public) offer MSc programmes in applied medical entomology and related fields. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in medical entomology. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI medical entomology certification and WHO vector control certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Medical Entomologist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts medical entomology research, overseeing vector biology, identification, and managing entomology research.
Vector Control Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages vector control programmes, overseeing insecticides, ITNs, IRS, and managing vector control.
Public Health Entomologist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages public health entomology, overseeing surveillance, control, policy, and managing public health vector programmes.
Research Scientist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 600,000
Conducts entomology research, overseeing experiments, analysis, publications, and managing research projects.
Vector Surveillance Officer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages vector surveillance, overseeing collection, identification, monitoring, and managing surveillance operations.
Entomology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches medical entomology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ArcGIS
SoftwarePrimary
ArcGIS for vector surveillance, covering risk mapping, spatial analysis, distribution mapping, and managing GIS for vector surveillance.
R Studio
Software
R Studio for data analysis, covering entomology data, statistical computing, population analysis, and managing biological data analysis.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering experimental data, surveillance data, and managing statistical analysis.
Geneious
Software
Geneious for molecular biology, covering sequence analysis, phylogenetics, and managing molecular data for vector biology.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Medical entomology is just about studying insects.
Medical entomology covers comprehensive vector ecology, physiology, pathogen interactions, control, and public health beyond just studying insects.
This programme is only for biologists.
Medical entomology skills are valuable for public health professionals, doctors, veterinarians, and environmental scientists beyond just biologists.
Vector control is just about spraying insecticides.
Vector control covers comprehensive insecticides, biological control, environmental management, ITNs, IRS, and integrated vector management.
Insecticide resistance is just about mosquitoes surviving sprays.
Insecticide resistance covers comprehensive mechanisms, monitoring, management, and resistance surveillance.
Vector ecology is just about counting insects.
Vector ecology covers comprehensive population dynamics, distribution, habitat, sampling, and ecological modelling.
Medical entomology is only about malaria.
Medical entomology covers comprehensive malaria, dengue, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, filariasis, and other vector-borne diseases.