Environmental Science

Master of Science in Conservation Biology

The Master of Science in Conservation Biology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in biodiversity conservation, wildlife management, and natural resource management. The programme combines conservation biology theory with practical field techniques, ecological monitoring, and conservation planning application.

Core areas include conservation biology principles, wildlife population ecology, protected areas management, biodiversity law and policy, community ecology, conservation genetics, restoration ecology, field techniques, GIS and remote sensing, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both conservation theory and practical field and laboratory work through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi as MSc in Biology of Conservation through the Department of Biology, Maseno University as MSc in Conservation Biology through the School of Biological and Physical Sciences, and the University of Embu as MSc in Biology of Conservation through the Department of Biological Sciences. All are public universities offering programmes over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in conservation biology principles, wildlife population ecology, protected areas management, biodiversity law and policy, conservation genetics, restoration ecology, field techniques, and GIS for conservation. The programme includes coursework, examinations, fieldwork, and a supervised research thesis.

UoN charges approximately KES 365,500/year (KES 731,000 total) for biology of conservation. Maseno charges approximately KES 200,000/year for conservation biology. University of Embu charges approximately KES 180,000/year for biology of conservation. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in biological sciences, zoology, ecology, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as conservation biologists, wildlife managers, protected area managers, biodiversity consultants, environmental educators, and lecturers in conservation biology across wildlife authorities, conservation NGOs, national parks, research institutions, government agencies, and universities.

Skills Required

Conservation Biology Principles and Practice
Wildlife Population Ecology and Monitoring
Protected Areas Management and Planning
Biodiversity Law, Policy and Legislation
Conservation Genetics and Molecular Techniques
Restoration Ecology and Habitat Management
Field Techniques and Ecological Survey Methods
GIS and Remote Sensing for Conservation
Research Methods in Conservation Biology
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Conservation Biology Principles and Practice
Wildlife Population Ecology and Monitoring
Protected Areas Management and Planning
Biodiversity Law, Policy and Legislation
Conservation Genetics and Molecular Techniques
Restoration Ecology and Habitat Management
Field Techniques and Ecological Survey Methods
GIS and Remote Sensing for Conservation
Research Methods in Conservation Biology
Thesis Research

Certifications

KWS Conservation Certification
IUCN Conservation Professional Membership

Specializations

Wildlife Conservation

Focuses on wildlife conservation, covering population ecology, wildlife management, endangered species, and managing wildlife conservation.

Protected Areas Management

Examines protected areas management, covering national parks, reserves, management planning, zoning, and managing protected areas.

Conservation Genetics

Covers conservation genetics, covering population genetics, molecular techniques, genetic diversity, and managing conservation genetics.

Restoration Ecology

Focuses on restoration ecology, covering habitat restoration, disturbance ecology, rehabilitation, and managing restoration ecology.

Community-Based Conservation

Examines community-based conservation, covering community engagement, participatory conservation, benefit sharing, and managing community conservation.

Landscape Ecology and Planning

Covers landscape ecology, covering landscape analysis, connectivity, conservation planning, GIS, and managing landscape conservation.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 365,500
Private, up to: Ksh 0
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

Conservation Biology Principles and Practice
Wildlife Population Ecology and Monitoring
Protected Areas Management and Planning
Biodiversity Law, Policy and Legislation
Conservation Genetics and Molecular Techniques
Restoration Ecology and Habitat Management
Field Techniques and Ecological Survey Methods
GIS and Remote Sensing for Conservation
Research Methods in Conservation Biology
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Principles of Conservation Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines conservation principles, biodiversity, threats, conservation strategies, and managing conservation biology.
Wildlife Population Ecology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers population dynamics, monitoring, estimation, endangered species, and managing wildlife populations.
Protected Areas Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines national parks, reserves, management planning, zoning, tourism, and managing protected areas.
Field Techniques and Ecological Survey Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers ecological survey methods, sampling, census techniques, vegetation analysis, and managing field surveys.
Biodiversity Law, Policy and Legislation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines conservation law, policy, legislation, international conventions, and managing biodiversity governance.
Conservation Genetics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers population genetics, molecular techniques, genetic diversity, inbreeding, gene flow, and managing conservation genetics.
Restoration and Disturbance Ecology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines habitat restoration, disturbance ecology, rehabilitation, succession, invasive species, and managing restoration ecology.
Community-Based Conservation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers community engagement, participatory conservation, benefit sharing, human-wildlife conflict, and managing community conservation.
Landscape Ecology and GIS for Conservation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines landscape analysis, connectivity, conservation planning, GIS, remote sensing, and managing landscape conservation.
Aquatic Ecology and Conservation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers aquatic ecosystems, freshwater conservation, marine conservation, wetlands, and managing aquatic conservation.
Natural Resource Ecology and Economics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines natural resource management, ecological economics, valuation, sustainable use, and managing natural resources.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised 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, covering population ecology, wildlife management, endangered species, and managing wildlife conservation.
Protected Areas Management
Examines protected areas management, covering national parks, reserves, management planning, zoning, and managing protected areas.
Conservation Genetics
Covers conservation genetics, covering population genetics, molecular techniques, genetic diversity, and managing conservation genetics.
Restoration Ecology
Focuses on restoration ecology, covering habitat restoration, disturbance ecology, rehabilitation, and managing restoration ecology.
Community-Based Conservation
Examines community-based conservation, covering community engagement, participatory conservation, benefit sharing, and managing community conservation.
Landscape Ecology and Planning
Covers landscape ecology, covering landscape analysis, connectivity, conservation planning, GIS, and managing landscape conservation.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Conservation Biology programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, fieldwork, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover conservation biology, wildlife ecology, protected areas management, and conservation genetics. Conservation biology sessions examine principles, biodiversity, threats, conservation strategies, and managing conservation biology. Wildlife population ecology sessions cover population dynamics, monitoring, estimation, endangered species, and managing wildlife populations. Protected areas management sessions cover national parks, reserves, management planning, zoning, and managing protected areas. Biodiversity law sessions cover conservation law, policy, legislation, international conventions, and managing biodiversity governance. Conservation genetics sessions cover population genetics, molecular techniques, genetic diversity, inbreeding, and managing conservation genetics. Restoration ecology sessions cover habitat restoration, disturbance ecology, rehabilitation, succession, and managing restoration ecology. Field techniques sessions cover ecological survey methods, sampling, census techniques, vegetation analysis, and managing field surveys. GIS sessions cover GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis, conservation planning, mapping, and managing spatial conservation data. Community ecology sessions cover community structure, interactions, diversity, and managing community ecology. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with molecular techniques, specimen identification, and data analysis. Fieldwork provides exposure to national parks, reserves, and conservation areas for practical survey experience. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with GIS software, ecological modelling, and conservation planning tools. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in conservation biology. Guest lectures from experienced conservation biologists, KWS researchers, and NGO practitioners provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a conservation biology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Steady demand for conservation professionals with Kenya's rich biodiversity, wildlife tourism, community conservancies, and environmental regulations.
Programme offered by three public universities (UoN, Maseno, Embu), providing institutional choice.
Maseno offers detailed curriculum with practical conservation management skills and field techniques.
Graduates are eligible for KWS conservation certification and IUCN professional membership, enhancing career prospects.

Against it

UoN fees are higher at approximately KES 365,500/year (KES 731,000 total) for biology of conservation.
Maseno and Embu specific conservation biology fees not independently verified.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Programme requires biological sciences, zoology, ecology, or related 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 181 environmental science courses

Public173k to 366k

173k at University of Eldoret366k 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 ~366K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). UoE 173K/yr (uoeld.ac.ke). No private confirmed.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KWS may provide training support for conservation professionals. IUCN and international conservation organisations may provide fellowships for conservation biology professionals. Some conservation NGOs may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KWS Training Support
IUCN Conservation Fellowships

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KWS Training Support
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
KWS may provide training support for conservation professionals pursuing postgraduate study.
IUCN Conservation Fellowships
FellowshipKsh 300,000Kenyan
IUCN and international conservation organisations may provide fellowships for conservation biology 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 biological sciences, zoology, ecology, or related fields. 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, fieldwork reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering conservation biology, wildlife ecology, protected areas management, and conservation genetics.
Practical and Field Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through fieldwork, ecological surveys, laboratory exercises, GIS practicals, and demonstrating conservation biology skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised 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). University of Nairobi, Maseno University, and the University of Embu (all public) offer MSc in Biology of Conservation or Conservation Biology. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in conservation biology. Graduates are eligible for KWS conservation certification and IUCN conservation professional membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi, Maseno University, and the University of Embu (all public) offer MSc in Biology of Conservation or Conservation Biology. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in conservation biology. Graduates are eligible for KWS conservation certification and IUCN conservation professional membership.

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 research, overseeing biodiversity assessment, monitoring, analysis, and managing conservation biology.
Wildlife Manager
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages wildlife populations, overseeing monitoring, protection, habitat management, and managing wildlife conservation.
Protected Area Manager
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages protected areas, overseeing parks, reserves, staff, tourism, and managing protected area operations.
Biodiversity Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Provides biodiversity consulting, overseeing assessment, advisory, planning, and managing biodiversity consulting.
Environmental Educator
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Educates on conservation and environment, overseeing programmes, outreach, curriculum, and managing environmental education.
Conservation Biology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches conservation biology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ArcGIS
SoftwarePrimary
ArcGIS for conservation planning, covering spatial analysis, mapping, habitat modelling, and managing conservation GIS data.
R Statistical Software
Software
R for ecological data analysis, covering population modelling, biodiversity statistics, community analysis, and managing ecological data.
MARK
Software
MARK for wildlife population analysis, covering mark-recapture, survival estimation, population modelling, and managing wildlife population data.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering ecological data, survey data, research data, and managing statistical analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Conservation biology is just about saving animals.
Conservation biology covers comprehensive biodiversity, ecosystems, genetics, policy, community engagement, restoration, and landscape-level conservation beyond just saving animals.
This programme is only for those who want to work in national parks.
Conservation biology skills are valuable for researchers, consultants, educators, policy makers, NGO workers, and community development professionals beyond just park work.
Conservation biology has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With Kenya's rich biodiversity, wildlife tourism, community conservancies, and environmental regulations, demand for conservation professionals is steady in Kenya.
Conservation genetics is just about DNA testing.
Conservation genetics covers comprehensive population genetics, molecular techniques, genetic diversity, inbreeding analysis, and gene flow management.
Protected areas management is just about fencing parks.
Protected areas management covers comprehensive management planning, zoning, community engagement, tourism, law enforcement, and sustainable resource use.
Restoration ecology is just about planting trees.
Restoration ecology covers comprehensive habitat restoration, disturbance ecology, rehabilitation, succession, invasive species management, and ecosystem recovery.