Science

Master of Science in Botany

The Master of Science in Botany is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in plant science, plant ecology, and plant biotechnology. The programme combines botanical theory with practical laboratory and field application.

Core areas include plant taxonomy, plant ecology, plant physiology, plant genetics, mycology, phycology, economic botany, plant pathology, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both botanical theory and practical field and laboratory work through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by JKUAT, University of Nairobi, Pwani University, University of Eldoret, and Chuka 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 plant taxonomy, plant ecology, plant physiology, plant genetics, mycology, phycology, economic botany, plant pathology, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, fieldwork, laboratory work, and a supervised research thesis.

JKUAT charges approximately KES 178,500/year (KES 357,000 total) for botany programmes. UoN charges approximately KES 365,500/year for biological sciences programmes. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in botany, biology, biological sciences, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as botanists, plant taxonomists, ecologists, plant biotechnologists, conservation officers, agricultural researchers, and lecturers in botany across research institutions, conservation organisations, agricultural agencies, environmental bodies, and universities.

Skills Required

Plant Taxonomy and Systematics
Plant Ecology and Ecosystem Analysis
Plant Physiology and Metabolism
Plant Genetics and Breeding
Mycology and Fungal Biology
Phycology and Algal Biology
Economic Botany and Plant Resource Utilisation
Plant Pathology and Disease Management
Research Methods in Botany
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Plant Taxonomy and Systematics
Plant Ecology and Ecosystem Analysis
Plant Physiology and Metabolism
Plant Genetics and Breeding
Mycology and Fungal Biology
Phycology and Algal Biology
Economic Botany and Plant Resource Utilisation
Plant Pathology and Disease Management
Research Methods in Botany
Thesis Research

Certifications

KEFRI Research Certification
KWS Conservation Certification

Specializations

Plant Ecology

Focuses on plant ecology, covering plant communities, ecosystem analysis, vegetation dynamics, conservation ecology, and managing plant ecology.

Plant Physiology

Examines plant physiology, covering photosynthesis, respiration, water relations, growth regulators, and managing plant physiology.

Plant Taxonomy

Covers plant taxonomy, covering classification, identification, nomenclature, systematics, herbarium management, and managing plant taxonomy.

Mycology

Focuses on mycology, covering fungal biology, fungal taxonomy, fungal ecology, plant-fungal interactions, and managing mycology.

Economic Botany

Examines economic botany, covering medicinal plants, plant resources, ethnobotany, commercial plants, and managing economic botany.

Plant Genetics

Covers plant genetics, covering plant breeding, molecular genetics, population genetics, biotechnology, and managing plant genetics.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 354,000
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: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Plant Taxonomy and Systematics
Plant Ecology and Ecosystem Analysis
Plant Physiology and Metabolism
Plant Genetics and Breeding
Mycology and Fungal Biology
Phycology and Algal Biology
Economic Botany and Plant Resource Utilisation
Plant Pathology and Disease Management
Research Methods in Botany
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Plant Taxonomy and Systematics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines classification, identification, nomenclature, systematics, herbarium techniques, and managing plant taxonomy.
Plant Ecology and Ecosystem Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers plant communities, ecosystem analysis, vegetation dynamics, succession, conservation ecology, and managing plant ecology.
Research Methods in Botany
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, field methods, and conducting botanical research, preparing students for their thesis.
Plant Physiology and Metabolism
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines photosynthesis, respiration, water relations, growth regulators, stress physiology, and managing plant physiology.
Plant Genetics and Breeding
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers plant breeding, molecular genetics, population genetics, biotechnology, and managing plant genetics.
Mycology and Fungal Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines fungal biology, fungal taxonomy, fungal ecology, plant-fungal interactions, mycorrhizae, and managing mycology.
Phycology and Algal Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers algal biology, algal taxonomy, algal ecology, algal biotechnology, and managing phycology.
Economic Botany and Plant Resource Utilisation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines medicinal plants, plant resources, ethnobotany, commercial plants, fibre plants, timber, and managing economic botany.
Plant Pathology and Disease Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers plant diseases, pathogen identification, disease management, plant defence, and managing plant pathology.
Plant Biotechnology and Tissue Culture
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines tissue culture, genetic modification, molecular markers, plant transformation, and managing plant biotechnology.
Conservation Biology and Biodiversity
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers biodiversity assessment, conservation strategies, protected areas, endangered species, and managing conservation biology.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a botany topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and botanical knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Plant Ecology
Focuses on plant ecology, covering plant communities, ecosystem analysis, vegetation dynamics, conservation ecology, and managing plant ecology.
Plant Physiology
Examines plant physiology, covering photosynthesis, respiration, water relations, growth regulators, and managing plant physiology.
Plant Taxonomy
Covers plant taxonomy, covering classification, identification, nomenclature, systematics, herbarium management, and managing plant taxonomy.
Mycology
Focuses on mycology, covering fungal biology, fungal taxonomy, fungal ecology, plant-fungal interactions, and managing mycology.
Economic Botany
Examines economic botany, covering medicinal plants, plant resources, ethnobotany, commercial plants, and managing economic botany.
Plant Genetics
Covers plant genetics, covering plant breeding, molecular genetics, population genetics, biotechnology, and managing plant genetics.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Botany programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, fieldwork, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover plant taxonomy, plant ecology, plant physiology, plant genetics, and mycology. Plant taxonomy sessions examine classification, identification, nomenclature, systematics, herbarium techniques, and managing plant taxonomy. Plant ecology sessions cover plant communities, ecosystem analysis, vegetation dynamics, succession, conservation ecology, and managing plant ecology. Plant physiology sessions cover photosynthesis, respiration, water relations, growth regulators, stress physiology, and managing plant physiology. Plant genetics sessions cover plant breeding, molecular genetics, population genetics, biotechnology, and managing plant genetics. Mycology sessions cover fungal biology, fungal taxonomy, fungal ecology, plant-fungal interactions, and managing mycology. Phycology sessions cover algal biology, algal taxonomy, algal ecology, and managing phycology. Economic botany sessions cover medicinal plants, plant resources, ethnobotany, commercial plants, and managing economic botany. Plant pathology sessions cover plant diseases, pathogen identification, disease management, and managing plant pathology. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with plant identification, microscopy, tissue culture, DNA extraction, and fungal culture. Fieldwork provides hands-on experience with vegetation surveys, plant collection, ecological sampling, herbarium specimens, and habitat assessment. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with plant anatomy, physiology experiments, and taxonomic identification. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in botany. Guest lectures from experienced botanists, ecologists, and researchers provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a botany topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Steady demand for botany professionals with growing conservation needs, agricultural development, biotechnology, climate change research, and environmental management in Kenya.
Programme offered by five public universities (JKUAT, UoN, Pwani, UoE, Chuka), providing wide institutional choice.
JKUAT offers competitive fees at approximately KES 178,500/year for botany programmes.
Strong industry links with KEFRI, KWS, and conservation organisations providing research collaboration and career opportunities.

Against it

UoN fees are higher at approximately KES 365,500/year for biological sciences programmes.
Pwani, UoE, and Chuka university fees not independently verified, requiring prospective students to confirm directly.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Programme requires botany, biology, or biological sciences 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 243 science courses

Public179k to 354k

179k at JKUAT354k 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 Bio Sci ~354K/yr (biology.uonbi.ac.ke). JKUAT ~179K/yr (kenyaeducationguide.com). Private: unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. JKUAT may offer postgraduate bursaries for eligible students. KEFRI and forestry research organisations may provide research support. Some conservation organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
JKUAT Postgraduate Bursary
KEFRI Research Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
JKUAT Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
JKUAT offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
KEFRI Research Support
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
KEFRI and partner organisations may provide research support for botany and forestry 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 botany, biology, or biological sciences. 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 plant taxonomy, ecology, physiology, genetics, mycology, and economic botany.
Laboratory and Field Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, plant identification, microscopy, fieldwork, vegetation surveys, and demonstrating botany skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a botany topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and botanical knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT, University of Nairobi, Pwani University, University of Eldoret, and Chuka University (all public) offer MSc in Botany or related programmes. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in botany and plant science. Graduates are eligible for KEFRI research certification and KWS conservation certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT, University of Nairobi, Pwani University, University of Eldoret, and Chuka University (all public) offer MSc in Botany or related programmes. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in botany and plant science. Graduates are eligible for KEFRI research certification and KWS conservation certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Botanist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts botanical work, overseeing plant research, identification, conservation, and managing botany.
Plant Taxonomist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts plant taxonomy work, overseeing classification, identification, herbarium management, and managing plant taxonomy.
Ecologist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts ecological research, overseeing ecosystem analysis, vegetation surveys, conservation planning, and managing ecology.
Plant Biotechnologist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Develops plant biotechnology solutions, overseeing tissue culture, genetic modification, and managing plant biotechnology.
Conservation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages plant conservation, overseeing biodiversity, protected areas, endangered species, and managing conservation.
Botany Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches botany 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 ecological and botanical data analysis, covering vegetation analysis, statistical modelling, and managing research data.
QGIS
Software
QGIS for spatial analysis, covering vegetation mapping, habitat mapping, distribution modelling, and managing spatial data.
BLAST
Software
BLAST for sequence analysis, covering plant molecular identification, DNA barcoding, and managing molecular data.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering ecological data, experimental data, and managing research data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Botany is just about studying plants.
Botany covers comprehensive plant taxonomy, ecology, physiology, genetics, mycology, phycology, economic botany, and plant pathology beyond just studying plants.
This programme is only for those who want to be teachers.
Botany skills are valuable for research, conservation, agriculture, biotechnology, environmental management, and industry beyond just teaching.
Botany has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing conservation needs, agricultural development, biotechnology, climate change research, and environmental management, demand for botany professionals is steady in Kenya.
Plant taxonomy is just about naming plants.
Plant taxonomy covers comprehensive classification, identification, nomenclature, systematics, molecular taxonomy, and herbarium management.
Economic botany is just about medicinal plants.
Economic botany covers comprehensive medicinal plants, plant resources, ethnobotany, commercial plants, fibre plants, and timber.
Mycology is just about mushrooms.
Mycology covers comprehensive fungal biology, taxonomy, ecology, plant-fungal interactions, mycorrhizae, and plant pathology.