Environmental Science

Master of Science in Biology of Conservation

The Master of Science in Biology of Conservation is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in conservation biology, ecology, and the management of biological diversity. The programme prepares graduates to address biodiversity loss and conservation challenges through scientific research and applied conservation.

Core areas include conservation biology, ecology, ecosystem management, vertebrate biology, population genetics, habitat management, biodiversity assessment, environmental policy, GIS for conservation, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical field and laboratory applications.

The programme is offered by Kirinyaga University, Strathmore University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, with the University of Nairobi as a college. UoN offers MSc in Biology of Conservation through its School of Biological Sciences at Chiromo Campus, with laboratories, herbarium, museums, and field stations.

Students develop competencies in biodiversity survey, species conservation, habitat assessment, conservation planning, population analysis, GIS, environmental impact assessment, and research. The programme includes coursework, field courses, laboratory sessions, examinations, and a research thesis. UoN's programme runs for a minimum of four semesters and a maximum of twelve semesters.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time and part-time study modes. UoN's programme is offered through coursework, examination, and thesis. The programme accommodates biological science graduates.

Graduates pursue careers as conservation biologists, wildlife researchers, environmental consultants, biodiversity managers, protected area specialists, and lecturers in conservation organisations, government agencies, research institutions, and universities.

Skills Required

Conservation Biology and Planning
Ecological Survey and Assessment
Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring
Population Genetics and Viability Analysis
Habitat Management and Restoration
Vertebrate Biology and Ecology
GIS for Conservation Planning
Environmental Impact Assessment
Protected Area Management
Conservation Research Methods

Key Subjects

Conservation Biology
Ecology and Ecosystems
Vertebrate Biology
Population Genetics
Biodiversity Assessment
Habitat Management
Environmental Policy
GIS for Conservation
Protected Area Management
Research Methods in Conservation

Certifications

KWS Conservation Certification
IUCN Conservation Certification

Specializations

Wildlife Conservation

Focuses on wildlife conservation, vertebrate ecology, threatened species management, wildlife monitoring, and conserving wildlife populations and habitats.

Ecosystem Conservation

Examines ecosystem conservation, ecosystem ecology, habitat management, ecosystem services, and managing and conserving ecosystems.

Plant Conservation

Covers plant conservation, plant ecology, threatened plant species, botanical conservation, and conserving plant diversity and habitats.

Conservation Genetics

Focuses on conservation genetics, population genetics, genetic diversity, and applying genetic tools to conservation of threatened species.

Marine Conservation

Examines marine conservation, marine biodiversity, marine ecosystem management, and conserving marine species and habitats.

Environmental Policy

Covers environmental policy, conservation law, biodiversity governance, and developing and implementing conservation policies and regulations.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 295,800
Private, up to: Ksh 249,800
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

Conservation Biology
Ecology and Ecosystems
Vertebrate Biology
Population Genetics
Biodiversity Assessment
Habitat Management
Environmental Policy
GIS for Conservation
Protected Area Management
Research Methods in Conservation

Modules

12 in the programme

Conservation Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines conservation biology, population viability analysis, extinction risk, conservation genetics, and designing conservation strategies for threatened species.
Ecology and Ecosystems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers ecology, population dynamics, community ecology, ecosystem processes, and understanding organisms and their environment.
Vertebrate Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines vertebrate biology, vertebrate diversity, ecology, behaviour, and conservation of vertebrate species.
Population Genetics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers population genetics, genetic diversity, population viability, and applying genetic tools to conservation of threatened species.
Biodiversity Assessment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines biodiversity assessment, species identification, biodiversity survey methods, monitoring, and measuring and assessing biodiversity in ecosystems.
Habitat Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers habitat management, habitat assessment, habitat restoration, and managing habitats for biodiversity conservation.
GIS for Conservation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines GIS for conservation, mapping habitats, analysing spatial data, remote sensing, and using GIS for conservation planning and management.
Protected Area Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers protected area management, national parks, reserves, conservation area design, and managing protected areas for biodiversity conservation.
Environmental Policy and Law
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines environmental policy, conservation law, biodiversity governance, international conservation agreements, and developing conservation policies.
Conservation Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for conservation, experimental design, data analysis, field survey methods, and conducting conservation research, preparing students for their thesis.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines environmental impact assessment, assessing development impacts on biodiversity, and conducting EIAs for conservation planning.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a conservation biology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and conservation knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Wildlife Conservation
Focuses on wildlife conservation, vertebrate ecology, threatened species management, wildlife monitoring, and conserving wildlife populations and habitats.
Ecosystem Conservation
Examines ecosystem conservation, ecosystem ecology, habitat management, ecosystem services, and managing and conserving ecosystems.
Plant Conservation
Covers plant conservation, plant ecology, threatened plant species, botanical conservation, and conserving plant diversity and habitats.
Conservation Genetics
Focuses on conservation genetics, population genetics, genetic diversity, and applying genetic tools to conservation of threatened species.
Marine Conservation
Examines marine conservation, marine biodiversity, marine ecosystem management, and conserving marine species and habitats.
Environmental Policy
Covers environmental policy, conservation law, biodiversity governance, and developing and implementing conservation policies and regulations.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Biology of Conservation programme begins with morning lectures on conservation biology, ecology, or vertebrate biology. Students engage in theoretical discussions on biodiversity, ecosystem processes, and conservation strategies. Laboratory sessions involve species identification, biodiversity data analysis, population genetics, and GIS for conservation. Conservation biology sessions cover population viability analysis, extinction risk, conservation genetics, and designing conservation strategies. Ecology sessions examine population dynamics, community ecology, ecosystem processes, and understanding organisms and their environment. Vertebrate biology sessions cover vertebrate diversity, ecology, behaviour, and conservation of vertebrate species. Habitat management sessions examine habitat assessment, restoration, and managing habitats for conservation. Field courses take students to national parks, reserves, and conservation areas where they conduct biodiversity surveys, population monitoring, and habitat assessments. GIS sessions involve mapping habitats, analysing spatial data, and using GIS for conservation planning. Environmental policy sessions cover conservation law, biodiversity governance, and international conservation agreements. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering conservation research methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from KWS officers, IUCN experts, and conservation practitioners provide real-world insights. UoN's programme at Chiromo Campus offers laboratories, herbarium, museums, and field stations. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

UoN offers a well-established MSc programme through its School of Biological Sciences at Chiromo Campus with laboratories, herbarium, museums, and field stations.
Kenya's globally significant biodiversity creates demand for qualified conservation biologists in government, NGOs, and international organisations.
Programme combines ecology, genetics, GIS, and policy, providing comprehensive conservation science training.
Strong career opportunities with KWS, NMK, IUCN, WWF, AWF, NEMA, and international conservation organisations.

Against it

UoN's programme is relatively expensive at KES 365,500/year compared to other master's programmes.
Career demand is moderate, with many conservation positions dependent on donor funding and NGO budgets.
Field work in remote conservation areas may require travel and extended stays away from urban centres.
Programme requires background in biological sciences, which may exclude some 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

Private131k to 250k

131k at Mount Kenya University250k at Daystar 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 295,800/yr (ku.ac.ke). UoN also offers. Moi 187K. Daystar 250K, MKU 131K.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. IUCN provides conservation grants for biodiversity research and capacity building. WWF Kenya supports conservation programmes and training. The programme's conservation focus attracts significant donor and international conservation organisation funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
IUCN Conservation Grants
WWF Kenya Conservation Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate conservation biology studies at recognised universities.
IUCN Conservation Grants
GrantKsh 400,000
IUCN provides conservation grants for biodiversity research and capacity building, supporting postgraduate training and research in conservation biology.
WWF Kenya Conservation Grants
GrantKsh 350,000Kenyan
WWF Kenya supports conservation programmes and capacity building, providing grants for postgraduate training and research in biodiversity conservation.

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 biological science graduates. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time study modes at UoN. Minimum four semesters and maximum twelve semesters. UoN offers the programme through coursework, examination, and thesis at Chiromo Campus. Application fee KES 3,000 for masters at UoN.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, field reports, GIS exercises, conservation plans, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering conservation biology, ecology, vertebrate biology, and habitat management, conducted at end of each semester.
Field and Practical Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of field and practical skills including biodiversity surveys, species identification, GIS analysis, and field course reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a conservation biology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and conservation knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). UoN offers MSc in Biology of Conservation through its School of Biological Sciences at Chiromo Campus. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate conservation biology training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. UoN offers MSc in Biology of Conservation through its School of Biological Sciences at Chiromo Campus. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate conservation biology training.
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
Professional accreditation
NEMA regulates environmental management in Kenya. Graduates conducting environmental impact assessments may require NEMA certification as registered EIA/EA lead experts.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Conservation Biologist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts conservation biology research, studying biodiversity, developing conservation strategies, and contributing to species and ecosystem conservation.
Wildlife Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts wildlife research, studying animal populations, behaviour, and ecology, and contributing to wildlife conservation and management.
Environmental Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Consults on environmental and biodiversity issues, conducting environmental impact assessments, and advising on conservation and sustainability.
Biodiversity Manager
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages biodiversity programmes, overseeing conservation projects, habitat management, and species protection in conservation organisations.
Protected Area Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages protected areas, overseeing conservation in national parks and reserves, and ensuring biodiversity conservation in protected areas.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches conservation biology and ecology in universities, conducting research and training future conservation professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as conservation biologists, wildlife researchers, and environmental consultants in conservation organisations, government agencies, and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

GIS Software (QGIS/ArcGIS)
SoftwarePrimary
Geographic information systems for mapping habitats, analysing spatial data, conservation planning, and managing protected areas.
R Statistical Computing
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source statistical computing environment for biodiversity data analysis, population modelling, and conservation research.
Remote Sensing Software
Software
Remote sensing software for satellite imagery analysis, habitat mapping, land cover change detection, and monitoring ecosystems.
Camera Traps and Field Equipment
Equipment
Camera traps and field equipment for wildlife monitoring, biodiversity surveys, and conducting field research in conservation areas.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Conservation biology is just about saving cute animals.
Conservation biology involves rigorous science including genetics, ecology, population modelling, policy, and ecosystem management, far beyond saving individual animals.
Conservation careers are limited to wildlife parks.
Conservation graduates work in research, policy, consulting, NGOs, government, international organisations, and academia, not just in parks.
This programme is the same as general biology.
Biology of Conservation specifically focuses on conservation science, ecology, and biodiversity management, while general biology covers broader biological topics.
Conservation is a luxury for developing countries.
Biodiversity underpins ecosystem services, tourism, and livelihoods in Kenya, making conservation essential for sustainable development.
There is no funding for conservation research in Kenya.
Kenya's globally significant biodiversity attracts substantial funding from IUCN, WWF, AWF, and international conservation donors.
Conservation biology is less rigorous than other biology fields.
Conservation biology combines ecological theory, genetics, quantitative analysis, and field research, making it a rigorous and demanding science.