Science

Master of Science in Biochemistry

The Master of Science in Biochemistry is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in biochemistry, molecular biology, and biotechnology. The programme combines biochemical theory with practical laboratory and research application.

Core areas include protein biochemistry, enzyme technology, molecular biology, metabolism, bioinformatics, immunotechnology, biotechnology, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both biochemical theory and practical laboratory work through coursework and research.

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

Students develop competencies in protein biochemistry, enzyme technology, molecular biology, metabolism, bioinformatics, immunotechnology, biotechnology, and research methods. The programme includes 11 course units, examinations, laboratory work, and a supervised research thesis.

JKUAT charges approximately KES 178,500/year (KES 357,000 total) for biochemistry programmes. KU charges KES 295,800/year. UoN charges approximately KES 395,000/year (KES 790,000 total). Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in biochemistry, chemistry, biology, or related fields with at least a credit in biochemistry from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as biochemists, research scientists, biotechnologists, pharmaceutical analysts, quality control officers, and lecturers in biochemistry across research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, food industry, hospitals, regulatory bodies, and universities.

Skills Required

Protein Biochemistry and Enzyme Technology
Molecular Biology and Gene Expression
Metabolic Biochemistry and Pathway Analysis
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Immunotechnology and Antibody Production
Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
Analytical Biochemistry and Instrumentation
Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostic Methods
Research Methods in Biochemistry
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Protein Biochemistry and Enzyme Technology
Molecular Biology and Gene Expression
Metabolic Biochemistry and Pathway Analysis
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Immunotechnology and Antibody Production
Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
Analytical Biochemistry and Instrumentation
Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostic Methods
Research Methods in Biochemistry
Thesis Research

Certifications

KEMRI Research Certification
Kenya Bureau of Standards Laboratory Certification

Specializations

Molecular Biology

Focuses on molecular biology, covering gene expression, DNA technology, molecular techniques, genomics, and managing molecular biology.

Clinical Biochemistry

Examines clinical biochemistry, covering diagnostic methods, clinical assays, disease markers, metabolic disorders, and managing clinical biochemistry.

Biotechnology

Covers biotechnology, covering bioprocessing, recombinant technology, industrial applications, biosafety, and managing biotechnology.

Bioinformatics

Focuses on bioinformatics, covering sequence analysis, structural bioinformatics, computational biology, databases, and managing bioinformatics.

Nutritional Biochemistry

Examines nutritional biochemistry, covering nutrient metabolism, deficiency diseases, nutrigenomics, and managing nutritional biochemistry.

Industrial Biochemistry

Covers industrial biochemistry, covering enzyme technology, fermentation, bioproducts, downstream processing, and managing industrial biochemistry.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 395,000
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: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Protein Biochemistry and Enzyme Technology
Molecular Biology and Gene Expression
Metabolic Biochemistry and Pathway Analysis
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Immunotechnology and Antibody Production
Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
Analytical Biochemistry and Instrumentation
Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostic Methods
Research Methods in Biochemistry
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Protein Biochemistry and Enzyme Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines protein structure, function, purification, characterisation, enzyme kinetics, and managing protein biochemistry.
Molecular Biology and Gene Expression
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers gene expression, DNA technology, cloning, PCR, sequencing, and managing molecular biology.
Research Methods in Biochemistry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, laboratory methods, and conducting biochemistry research, preparing students for their thesis.
Metabolic Biochemistry and Pathway Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, protein metabolism, regulation, and managing metabolic biochemistry.
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers sequence analysis, structural bioinformatics, databases, computational tools, and managing bioinformatics.
Immunotechnology and Antibody Production
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines antibody production, immunoassays, immunodiagnostics, vaccine development, and managing immunotechnology.
Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers recombinant technology, bioprocessing, fermentation, biosafety, industrial applications, and managing biotechnology.
Analytical Biochemistry and Instrumentation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines chromatography, electrophoresis, spectrometry, spectroscopy, and managing analytical biochemistry.
Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostic Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers diagnostic methods, clinical assays, disease markers, metabolic disorders, and managing clinical biochemistry.
Ecological and Environmental Biochemistry
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines ecological biochemistry, environmental biomarkers, toxin biochemistry, bioremediation, and managing environmental biochemistry.
Biochemistry of Cancer and Disease
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers cancer biochemistry, disease mechanisms, molecular basis of disease, drug targets, and managing disease biochemistry.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a biochemistry topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and biochemistry knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Molecular Biology
Focuses on molecular biology, covering gene expression, DNA technology, molecular techniques, genomics, and managing molecular biology.
Clinical Biochemistry
Examines clinical biochemistry, covering diagnostic methods, clinical assays, disease markers, metabolic disorders, and managing clinical biochemistry.
Biotechnology
Covers biotechnology, covering bioprocessing, recombinant technology, industrial applications, biosafety, and managing biotechnology.
Bioinformatics
Focuses on bioinformatics, covering sequence analysis, structural bioinformatics, computational biology, databases, and managing bioinformatics.
Nutritional Biochemistry
Examines nutritional biochemistry, covering nutrient metabolism, deficiency diseases, nutrigenomics, and managing nutritional biochemistry.
Industrial Biochemistry
Covers industrial biochemistry, covering enzyme technology, fermentation, bioproducts, downstream processing, and managing industrial biochemistry.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Biochemistry programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover protein biochemistry, molecular biology, metabolism, bioinformatics, and biotechnology. Protein biochemistry sessions examine protein structure, function, purification, characterisation, enzyme kinetics, and managing protein biochemistry. Molecular biology sessions cover gene expression, DNA technology, cloning, PCR, sequencing, and managing molecular biology. Metabolism sessions cover carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, protein metabolism, regulation, and managing metabolic biochemistry. Bioinformatics sessions cover sequence analysis, structural bioinformatics, databases, computational tools, and managing bioinformatics. Immunotechnology sessions cover antibody production, immunoassays, immunodiagnostics, vaccine development, and managing immunotechnology. Biotechnology sessions cover recombinant technology, bioprocessing, fermentation, biosafety, and managing biotechnology. Analytical biochemistry sessions cover chromatography, electrophoresis, spectrometry, spectroscopy, and managing analytical biochemistry. Clinical biochemistry sessions cover diagnostic methods, clinical assays, disease markers, metabolic disorders, and managing clinical biochemistry. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with protein purification, enzyme assays, DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, chromatography, and spectroscopy. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with molecular techniques, immunoassays, bioinformatics tools, and analytical methods. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in biochemistry. Guest lectures from experienced biochemists, researchers, and industry professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a biochemistry topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for biochemistry professionals with growing pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, food safety, clinical diagnostics, and research in Kenya.
Programme offered by four public universities (UoN, KU, JKUAT, Egerton), providing wide institutional choice with different fee levels.
JKUAT offers competitive fees at approximately KES 178,500/year for biochemistry programmes.
Programme covers emerging fields including bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, ensuring market relevance.

Against it

UoN fees are higher at approximately KES 395,000/year (KES 790,000 total) for biochemistry.
Programme requires biochemistry or chemistry background with at least a credit (60%) in biochemistry at undergraduate level.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Programme is intensive with significant laboratory work, requiring strong commitment and time investment.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 243 science courses

Public179k to 395k

179k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology395k 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 395K/yr (biochemistry.uonbi.ac.ke). JKUAT 178.5K/yr (kenyaeducationguide). Private null.

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

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KU Postgraduate Bursary
KEMRI 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.
KEMRI Research Support
GrantKsh 250,000Kenyan
KEMRI and partner organisations may provide research support for biochemistry and medical research professionals.

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 biochemistry, chemistry, or biology with at least a credit in biochemistry. 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, practical tests, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering protein biochemistry, molecular biology, metabolism, bioinformatics, and biotechnology.
Laboratory and Practical Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, protein purification, enzyme assays, molecular techniques, analytical methods, and demonstrating biochemistry skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a biochemistry topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and biochemistry knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, JKUAT, and Egerton University (all public) offer MSc in Biochemistry. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in biochemistry. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI research certification and KEBS laboratory certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, JKUAT, and Egerton University (all public) offer MSc in Biochemistry. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in biochemistry. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI research certification and KEBS laboratory certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Biochemist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts biochemistry work, overseeing biochemical analysis, research, quality control, and managing biochemistry.
Research Scientist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts scientific research, overseeing research design, experimentation, analysis, publication, and managing scientific research.
Biotechnologist
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Develops biotechnology products, overseeing bioprocessing, recombinant technology, product development, and managing biotechnology.
Pharmaceutical Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Analyses pharmaceutical products, overseeing drug testing, quality control, formulation, and managing pharmaceutical analysis.
Quality Control Officer
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages quality control, overseeing biochemical testing, standards compliance, quality assurance, and managing quality control.
Biochemistry Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches biochemistry 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

BLAST
SoftwarePrimary
BLAST for sequence analysis, covering protein and nucleotide identification, sequence alignment, and managing molecular data.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering experimental data, biochemical assays, and managing research data.
R
Software
R for statistical analysis, covering bioinformatics, data analysis, and managing research data.
PyMOL
Software
PyMOL for molecular visualisation, covering protein structure, 3D modelling, structural analysis, and managing molecular data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Biochemistry is just about studying chemicals in the body.
Biochemistry covers comprehensive protein science, molecular biology, metabolism, biotechnology, bioinformatics, and immunotechnology beyond just body chemicals.
This programme is only for those who want to work in laboratories.
Biochemistry skills are valuable for pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food industry, clinical diagnostics, research, regulation, and academia beyond just laboratory work.
Biochemistry has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, food safety, clinical diagnostics, and research, demand for biochemistry professionals is high in Kenya.
Molecular biology is just about DNA.
Molecular biology covers comprehensive gene expression, DNA technology, RNA, protein synthesis, regulation, and molecular techniques.
Bioinformatics is just about using computers.
Bioinformatics covers comprehensive sequence analysis, structural biology, computational modelling, databases, and systems biology.
Clinical biochemistry is just about blood tests.
Clinical biochemistry covers comprehensive diagnostic methods, disease markers, metabolic disorders, therapeutic drug monitoring, and clinical research.