Health Sciences

Master of Science in Applied Physiology and Cellular Biology

The Master of Science in Applied Physiology and Cellular Biology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in physiology, cellular biology, and biomedical research. The programme combines physiological theory with practical cellular and molecular biology application.

Core areas include human physiology, cellular biology, molecular biology, neurophysiology, endocrinology, histology, research methods, biostatistics, and thesis. Students engage with both physiological theory and practical laboratory work through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through the College of Biological and Physical Sciences at Chiromo Campus. It is a public university offering the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in human physiology, cellular biology, molecular biology, neurophysiology, endocrinology, histology, research methods, and biostatistics. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, and a supervised research thesis.

UoN charges approximately KES 433,500/year (KES 867,000 total) for science programmes. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in physiology, biology, biochemistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as physiologists, cellular biologists, research scientists, biomedical researchers, laboratory managers, and lecturers in physiology across research institutions, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, universities, and regulatory bodies.

Skills Required

Human Physiology and Organ Systems
Cellular Biology and Cell Culture Techniques
Molecular Biology and Gene Expression
Neurophysiology and Nervous System Function
Endocrinology and Hormonal Regulation
Histology and Tissue Processing
Biostatistics and Data Analysis
Research Methods in Physiology
Laboratory Techniques in Biomedical Science
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Human Physiology and Organ Systems
Cellular Biology and Cell Culture Techniques
Molecular Biology and Gene Expression
Neurophysiology and Nervous System Function
Endocrinology and Hormonal Regulation
Histology and Tissue Processing
Biostatistics and Data Analysis
Research Methods in Physiology
Laboratory Techniques in Biomedical Science
Thesis Research

Certifications

KEMRI Research Certification
Physiological Society Membership

Specializations

Neurophysiology

Focuses on neurophysiology, covering nervous system function, neural signalling, brain function, sensory systems, and managing neurophysiology.

Endocrine Physiology

Examines endocrine physiology, covering hormonal regulation, endocrine glands, hormone action, metabolic regulation, and managing endocrine physiology.

Cellular Biology

Covers cellular biology, covering cell structure, function, signalling, cell cycle, apoptosis, and managing cellular biology.

Reproductive Physiology

Focuses on reproductive physiology, covering reproductive systems, gametogenesis, fertilisation, pregnancy, and managing reproductive physiology.

Exercise Physiology

Examines exercise physiology, covering exercise response, adaptation, performance, metabolism, and managing exercise physiology.

Environmental Physiology

Covers environmental physiology, covering temperature regulation, altitude, diving, adaptation, and managing environmental physiology.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 405,000
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

Human Physiology and Organ Systems
Cellular Biology and Cell Culture Techniques
Molecular Biology and Gene Expression
Neurophysiology and Nervous System Function
Endocrinology and Hormonal Regulation
Histology and Tissue Processing
Biostatistics and Data Analysis
Research Methods in Physiology
Laboratory Techniques in Biomedical Science
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Human Physiology and Organ Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines organ systems, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal physiology, and managing human physiology.
Cellular Biology and Cell Culture Techniques
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers cell structure, function, signalling, cell cycle, apoptosis, cell culture, and managing cellular biology.
Research Methods and Biostatistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, statistical methods, and conducting physiology research, preparing students for their thesis.
Molecular Biology and Gene Expression
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines gene expression, DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, molecular techniques, and managing molecular biology.
Neurophysiology and Nervous System Function
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers nervous system function, neural signalling, synaptic transmission, brain function, sensory systems, and managing neurophysiology.
Endocrinology and Hormonal Regulation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines hormonal regulation, endocrine glands, hormone action, metabolic regulation, and managing endocrinology.
Histology and Tissue Processing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers tissue processing, staining, microscopy, tissue structure, histochemistry, and managing histology.
Reproductive Physiology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines reproductive systems, gametogenesis, fertilisation, pregnancy, lactation, and managing reproductive physiology.
Exercise and Environmental Physiology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers exercise response, adaptation, performance, temperature regulation, altitude, diving, and managing exercise and environmental physiology.
Laboratory Techniques in Biomedical Science
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines cell culture, electrophysiology, enzyme assays, molecular techniques, physiological recording, and managing laboratory techniques.
Pathophysiology and Clinical Correlations
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers disease mechanisms, pathophysiology, clinical correlations, systemic pathology, and managing pathophysiology.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a physiology or cellular biology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and physiological knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Neurophysiology
Focuses on neurophysiology, covering nervous system function, neural signalling, brain function, sensory systems, and managing neurophysiology.
Endocrine Physiology
Examines endocrine physiology, covering hormonal regulation, endocrine glands, hormone action, metabolic regulation, and managing endocrine physiology.
Cellular Biology
Covers cellular biology, covering cell structure, function, signalling, cell cycle, apoptosis, and managing cellular biology.
Reproductive Physiology
Focuses on reproductive physiology, covering reproductive systems, gametogenesis, fertilisation, pregnancy, and managing reproductive physiology.
Exercise Physiology
Examines exercise physiology, covering exercise response, adaptation, performance, metabolism, and managing exercise physiology.
Environmental Physiology
Covers environmental physiology, covering temperature regulation, altitude, diving, adaptation, and managing environmental physiology.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Applied Physiology and Cellular Biology programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover human physiology, cellular biology, molecular biology, neurophysiology, and endocrinology. Human physiology sessions examine organ systems, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, and managing human physiology. Cellular biology sessions cover cell structure, function, signalling, cell cycle, apoptosis, and managing cellular biology. Molecular biology sessions cover gene expression, DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, molecular techniques, and managing molecular biology. Neurophysiology sessions cover nervous system function, neural signalling, synaptic transmission, brain function, sensory systems, and managing neurophysiology. Endocrinology sessions cover hormonal regulation, endocrine glands, hormone action, metabolic regulation, and managing endocrinology. Histology sessions cover tissue processing, staining, microscopy, tissue structure, and managing histology. Reproductive physiology sessions cover reproductive systems, gametogenesis, fertilisation, pregnancy, and managing reproductive physiology. Exercise physiology sessions cover exercise response, adaptation, performance, metabolism, and managing exercise physiology. Environmental physiology sessions cover temperature regulation, altitude, diving, adaptation, and managing environmental physiology. Research methods and biostatistics sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with cell culture, histology, electrophysiology, enzyme assays, molecular techniques, and physiological measurements. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with tissue processing, microscopy, organ dissection, and physiological recording. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in physiology and cellular biology. Guest lectures from experienced physiologists, researchers, and medical professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a physiology or cellular biology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme provides specialised skills in physiology and cellular biology, valuable for biomedical research, pharmaceuticals, and academia.
Programme is well-established at UoN, first approved in 1996 and reviewed in 2009, demonstrating academic maturity.
Strong industry links with KEMRI and medical research institutions providing research collaboration and career opportunities.
Graduates are eligible for KEMRI research certification and international Physiological Society membership.

Against it

Only one university (UoN) confirmed offering this programme, limiting institutional choice and geographic accessibility.
UoN fees are relatively high at approximately KES 433,500/year (KES 867,000 total).
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Programme requires physiology, biology, biochemistry, or medical 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 349 health sciences courses

Public187k to 405k

187k at Moi University405k 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 MSc Physiology 810K/2=405K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). Moi 187.2K unverified. Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UoN may offer postgraduate bursaries for eligible students. KEMRI and medical research organisations may provide research support. Some pharmaceutical companies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UoN Postgraduate Bursary
KEMRI Research Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
UoN Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
University of Nairobi offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
KEMRI Research Support
GrantKsh 250,000Kenyan
KEMRI and partner organisations may provide research support for physiology and biomedical research professionals.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: UoN requires Upper Second Class Honours in physiology, biology, biochemistry, medicine, or related fields. Lower Second Division holders with publications and postgraduate diplomas are considered. Contact UoN 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, practical tests, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering human physiology, cellular biology, molecular biology, neurophysiology, and endocrinology.
Laboratory and Practical Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, cell culture, histology, electrophysiology, physiological recording, and demonstrating physiology skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a physiology or cellular biology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and physiological knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi (public) is the only confirmed institution offering MSc in Applied Physiology and Cellular Biology, first approved by UoN Senate in 1996 and reviewed in 2009. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in physiology and cellular biology. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI research certification and Physiological Society membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi (public) is the only confirmed institution offering MSc in Applied Physiology and Cellular Biology, first approved by UoN Senate in 1996 and reviewed in 2009. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in physiology and cellular biology. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI research certification and Physiological Society membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Physiologist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts physiology work, overseeing physiological research, laboratory testing, analysis, and managing physiology.
Cellular Biologist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts cellular biology research, overseeing cell culture, molecular analysis, research design, and managing cellular biology.
Research Scientist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts scientific research, overseeing research design, experimentation, analysis, publication, and managing scientific research.
Biomedical Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Conducts biomedical research, overseeing disease mechanisms, drug development, clinical research, and managing biomedical research.
Laboratory Manager
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages laboratory operations, overseeing testing, equipment, staff, quality, safety, and managing laboratory operations.
Physiology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches physiology 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

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering experimental data, physiological measurements, and managing research data.
R
Software
R for statistical analysis, covering data analysis, biostatistics, plotting, and managing research data.
ImageJ
Software
ImageJ for microscopy image analysis, covering cell counting, measurement, analysis, and managing microscopy data.
GraphPad Prism
Software
GraphPad Prism for scientific graphing and analysis, covering dose-response, enzyme kinetics, statistical analysis, and managing scientific data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Physiology is just about how the body works.
Applied physiology covers comprehensive organ systems, cellular mechanisms, molecular signalling, neurophysiology, endocrinology, and research methods beyond just basic body function.
This programme is only for medical doctors.
Physiology skills are valuable for research, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, sports science, environmental health, and academia for graduates from various biological science backgrounds.
Cellular biology is just about looking at cells under a microscope.
Cellular biology covers comprehensive cell structure, function, signalling, molecular biology, genetics, and biotechnology beyond just microscopy.
Physiology has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing biomedical research, pharmaceutical industry, sports science, and academic demand, opportunities for physiology professionals are steady in Kenya.
Neurophysiology is just about the brain.
Neurophysiology covers comprehensive nervous system function, neural signalling, sensory systems, motor control, and autonomic regulation.
Endocrinology is just about hormones.
Endocrinology covers comprehensive hormonal regulation, endocrine glands, hormone action, metabolic regulation, and endocrine disorders.