Health Sciences

Master of Science in Clinical Chemistry

The Master of Science in Clinical Chemistry is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in clinical chemistry, focusing on the chemical analysis of body fluids for disease diagnosis and monitoring. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in clinical laboratory science and biomedical research.

Core areas include clinical biochemistry, chemical pathology, laboratory management, quality assurance, analytical techniques, molecular diagnostics, endocrinology, toxicology, metabolic disorders, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and extensive practical laboratory applications.

The programme is offered by Kirinyaga University, Strathmore University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, with JKUAT as a college. JKUAT offers MMLS with Clinical Chemistry option through its Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences. MMUST offers MSc Medical Laboratory Sciences with Clinical Chemistry option.

Students develop competencies in clinical chemistry analysis, laboratory techniques, quality control, diagnostic methods, analytical instrumentation, molecular diagnostics, and research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, examinations, supervised research, and thesis. JKUAT's programme is benchmarked against international standards for clinical laboratory science.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time study mode. JKUAT's programme requires KMLTTB registration and two years of post-qualification experience. The programme accommodates medical laboratory science and related graduates.

Graduates pursue careers as clinical chemists, laboratory managers, biomedical researchers, diagnostic specialists, quality assurance officers, and lecturers in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, research institutions, and universities.

Skills Required

Clinical Chemistry Analysis
Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance
Analytical Instrumentation and Techniques
Molecular Diagnostics
Endocrinology and Hormone Analysis
Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Metabolic Disorder Diagnosis
Chemical Pathology
Laboratory Information Systems
Clinical Chemistry Research Methods

Key Subjects

Clinical Biochemistry
Chemical Pathology
Analytical Techniques in Clinical Chemistry
Molecular Diagnostics
Endocrinology and Hormone Analysis
Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Metabolic Disorders
Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance
Laboratory Information Systems
Clinical Chemistry Research Methods

Certifications

KMLTTB Professional Certification
IFCC Professional Membership

Specializations

Clinical Biochemistry

Focuses on clinical biochemistry, chemical analysis of body fluids, metabolic disorders, and diagnosing diseases through biochemical analysis.

Endocrinology

Examines endocrinology, hormone analysis, endocrine disorders, and diagnosing and monitoring endocrine diseases through clinical chemistry.

Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

Covers toxicology, therapeutic drug monitoring, drug level analysis, and assessing drug toxicity and therapeutic effectiveness.

Molecular Diagnostics

Focuses on molecular diagnostics, DNA-based testing, molecular techniques in clinical chemistry, and applying molecular biology to diagnostic testing.

Laboratory Management

Examines laboratory management, quality assurance, laboratory standards, and managing clinical chemistry laboratory operations.

Metabolic Disorders

Covers metabolic disorders, diabetes diagnosis, lipid disorders, inherited metabolic diseases, and diagnosing and monitoring metabolic conditions.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 439,500
Private, up to: Ksh 120,000
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Clinical Biochemistry
Chemical Pathology
Analytical Techniques in Clinical Chemistry
Molecular Diagnostics
Endocrinology and Hormone Analysis
Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Metabolic Disorders
Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance
Laboratory Information Systems
Clinical Chemistry Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Clinical Biochemistry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines advanced clinical biochemistry, chemical analysis of body fluids, metabolic disorders, and diagnosing diseases through biochemical analysis.
Analytical Techniques in Clinical Chemistry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers analytical techniques including spectrophotometry, chromatography, mass spectrometry, electrophoresis, and other analytical methods used in clinical chemistry.
Chemical Pathology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines chemical pathology, disease mechanisms at molecular level, biochemical changes in disease, and understanding pathology through chemical analysis.
Endocrinology and Hormone Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers endocrinology, hormone analysis, endocrine disorders, and diagnosing and monitoring endocrine diseases through clinical chemistry.
Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines toxicology, therapeutic drug monitoring, drug level analysis, assessing drug toxicity, and monitoring therapeutic effectiveness.
Molecular Diagnostics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers molecular diagnostics, DNA-based testing, PCR, molecular techniques, and applying molecular biology to clinical chemistry diagnostic testing.
Metabolic Disorders
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines metabolic disorders, diabetes diagnosis, lipid disorders, inherited metabolic diseases, and diagnosing and monitoring metabolic conditions.
Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers laboratory management, quality assurance, laboratory standards, ISO 15189 accreditation, and managing clinical chemistry laboratory operations.
Laboratory Information Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines laboratory information systems, data management, automation in clinical chemistry, and using information technology in laboratory operations.
Clinical Chemistry Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for clinical chemistry, experimental design, data analysis, and conducting clinical chemistry research, preparing students for their thesis.
Advanced Diagnostic Methods
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines advanced diagnostic methods, emerging technologies in clinical chemistry, point-of-care testing, and new approaches to diagnostic testing.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a clinical chemistry topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and clinical chemistry knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Clinical Biochemistry
Focuses on clinical biochemistry, chemical analysis of body fluids, metabolic disorders, and diagnosing diseases through biochemical analysis.
Endocrinology
Examines endocrinology, hormone analysis, endocrine disorders, and diagnosing and monitoring endocrine diseases through clinical chemistry.
Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Covers toxicology, therapeutic drug monitoring, drug level analysis, and assessing drug toxicity and therapeutic effectiveness.
Molecular Diagnostics
Focuses on molecular diagnostics, DNA-based testing, molecular techniques in clinical chemistry, and applying molecular biology to diagnostic testing.
Laboratory Management
Examines laboratory management, quality assurance, laboratory standards, and managing clinical chemistry laboratory operations.
Metabolic Disorders
Covers metabolic disorders, diabetes diagnosis, lipid disorders, inherited metabolic diseases, and diagnosing and monitoring metabolic conditions.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Clinical Chemistry programme begins with morning lectures on clinical biochemistry, endocrinology, or analytical techniques. Students engage in theoretical discussions on disease mechanisms, diagnostic methods, and laboratory science. Laboratory sessions form the central part of the programme, involving clinical chemistry analysis, analytical instrumentation, molecular diagnostics, and quality control procedures. Clinical biochemistry sessions cover chemical analysis of blood, urine, and other body fluids, diagnosing metabolic disorders, and monitoring disease progression. Endocrinology sessions examine hormone analysis, endocrine disorders, and diagnosing and monitoring endocrine diseases. Toxicology sessions cover therapeutic drug monitoring, drug level analysis, and assessing drug toxicity. Analytical techniques sessions involve spectrophotometry, chromatography, mass spectrometry, and other analytical methods used in clinical chemistry. Molecular diagnostics sessions examine DNA-based testing, PCR, molecular techniques, and applying molecular biology to diagnostic testing. Quality assurance sessions cover laboratory standards, quality control procedures, ISO 15189 accreditation, and ensuring accuracy and reliability in laboratory testing. Laboratory management sessions examine laboratory operations, staffing, budgeting, and managing clinical chemistry laboratories. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering clinical chemistry research methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from hospital laboratory managers, KEMRI researchers, and clinical chemistry professionals provide real-world insights. JKUAT's programme is benchmarked against international standards and requires KMLTTB registration. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's growing healthcare sector, diagnostic services expansion, and laboratory quality accreditation requirements create strong demand for qualified clinical chemists.
JKUAT's programme is benchmarked against international standards and developed in consultation with KMLTTB guidelines, ensuring quality and relevance.
Programme combines advanced analytical techniques with molecular diagnostics and laboratory management, providing comprehensive clinical chemistry training.
Strong career opportunities with hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, KEMRI, pharmaceutical companies, KMLTTB, and international health organisations.

Against it

JKUAT's programme requires KMLTTB registration and two years of post-qualification experience, which may exclude some applicants.
Programme is full-time only at JKUAT, which may not accommodate working professionals.
Programme requires access to well-equipped analytical laboratories, which may vary across listed universities.
Programme requires background in medical laboratory science or related field, 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 349 health sciences courses

Public277k to 440k

277k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology440k at University of Nairobi

Private120k to 120k

120k at Great Lakes University of Kisumu120k at Great Lakes University of Kisumu

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 879K/2=439.5K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). JKUAT MMLS 277K/yr. GLUK 60K/sem=120K/yr. Src: educationnewshub.co.ke

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KEMRI supports clinical chemistry and laboratory science research. IFCC provides education grants for clinical chemistry capacity building. The programme's health sector importance attracts donor and international health organisation funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KEMRI Research Grants
IFCC Education Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate clinical chemistry studies at recognised universities.
KEMRI Research Grants
GrantKsh 400,000Kenyan
KEMRI provides research grants for clinical chemistry and laboratory science research, supporting postgraduate research in diagnostic methods and disease biomarkers.
IFCC Education Grants
GrantKsh 350,000
International Federation of Clinical Chemistry provides education grants for clinical chemistry capacity building, supporting postgraduate training in developing countries.

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 medical laboratory science and related graduates. Two-year full-time programme at JKUAT. JKUAT requires KMLTTB registration and two years of post-qualification experience for MMLS admission. The programme is benchmarked against international standards for clinical laboratory science. Application fee KES 1,000 for bachelors at JKUAT. The programme offers Clinical Chemistry as one of eight specialisation options within MMLS.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, practical exercises, case studies, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering clinical biochemistry, analytical techniques, endocrinology, and molecular diagnostics, conducted at end of each semester.
Laboratory and Practical Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory and practical skills including analytical techniques, quality control procedures, instrument operation, and laboratory reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a clinical chemistry topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and clinical chemistry knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT offers MMLS with Clinical Chemistry option through its Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, with curriculum developed in consultation with KMLTTB guidelines. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate clinical chemistry training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT offers MMLS with Clinical Chemistry option through its Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate clinical chemistry training.
Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB)
Professional accreditationRequired
KMLTTB regulates medical laboratory practice in Kenya. JKUAT's curriculum was developed in consultation with KMLTTB guidelines. Graduates must be registered with KMLTTB to practise as clinical chemists.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Clinical Chemist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Performs advanced clinical chemistry analysis, developing and validating diagnostic methods, and ensuring quality diagnostic services in hospital and diagnostic laboratories.
Laboratory Manager
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages clinical chemistry laboratory operations, overseeing quality assurance, staffing, budgeting, and ensuring compliance with laboratory standards.
Biomedical Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts clinical chemistry research, developing new diagnostic methods, studying disease biomarkers, and contributing to medical knowledge.
Diagnostic Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Specialises in diagnostic testing, developing and implementing diagnostic protocols, and ensuring accuracy and reliability of diagnostic services.
Quality Assurance Officer
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Ensures laboratory quality, implementing quality assurance programmes, conducting audits, and maintaining compliance with ISO 15189 and other standards.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches clinical chemistry and laboratory science in universities, conducting research and training future clinical chemists and laboratory professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as clinical chemists, laboratory managers, and biomedical researchers in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, research institutions, and universities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Automated Chemistry Analyser
EquipmentPrimary
Automated chemistry analyser for clinical chemistry tests, analysing blood and body fluid samples, and performing diagnostic chemical analysis.
Spectrophotometer
EquipmentPrimary
Spectrophotometer for measuring light absorption, concentration analysis, and performing spectrophotometric assays in clinical chemistry.
HPLC System
Equipment
High-performance liquid chromatography system for separating and analysing compounds, therapeutic drug monitoring, and toxicology analysis.
R Statistical Computing
Software
Open-source statistical computing environment for clinical chemistry data analysis, quality control statistics, and research data analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Clinical chemistry is just routine blood testing.
Clinical chemistry involves advanced analytical techniques, molecular diagnostics, endocrinology, toxicology, and research, far beyond routine blood tests.
Clinical chemistry graduates can only work in hospital laboratories.
Graduates work in research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, diagnostic companies, public health, academia, and regulatory agencies, not just hospital laboratories.
This programme is the same as general biomedical science.
Clinical chemistry specifically focuses on chemical analysis of body fluids for diagnosis, while biomedical science covers broader disciplines including microbiology and haematology.
There is limited demand for clinical chemists in Kenya.
Kenya's growing healthcare sector, diagnostic services expansion, and quality accreditation requirements create strong demand for qualified clinical chemists.
A master's in clinical chemistry is redundant after a bachelor's in medical laboratory science.
The master's provides advanced analytical skills, specialised knowledge, research capability, and career progression to senior laboratory and research positions.
Clinical chemistry is being replaced by automated analysers.
While automation assists testing, clinical chemists are needed for method development, quality assurance, result interpretation, research, and managing complex diagnostic scenarios.