Science

Masters of Science in Developmental Biology

The Masters of Science in Developmental Biology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in developmental biology, reproductive biology, and molecular embryology. The programme provides specialised training in cell differentiation, organogenesis, developmental genetics, and reproductive biotechnology.

Core areas include developmental genetics, cell differentiation, embryology, reproductive biology, molecular biology of development, developmental toxicology, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, laboratory sessions, microscopy, and research.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University as a public institution through the School of Pure and Applied Sciences. The University of Nairobi offers MSc in Biological Sciences with developmental biology as one of thirteen specialisations through the School of Biological Sciences. Both programmes are available over two years.

Students develop competencies in developmental biology techniques, molecular analysis, microscopy, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory practicals, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for developmental biology and biomedical research roles.

KU charges approximately KES 163,200 per year while UoN charges approximately KES 365,500 per year. No private university confirmed offering this exact programme. Entry requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Biological Sciences, Zoology, Botany, Biochemistry, or a related field from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as developmental biologists, research scientists, reproductive biologists, biomedical researchers, biotechnology specialists, and lecturers across research institutes, universities, hospitals, biotechnology firms, and government agencies.

Skills Required

Developmental Genetics and Gene Regulation
Cell Differentiation and Morphogenesis
Embryology and Organogenesis
Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology
Molecular Biology of Development
Developmental Toxicology
Microscopy and Imaging Techniques
Cell Culture and Tissue Engineering
Research Methods in Developmental Biology
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Developmental Genetics and Gene Regulation
Cell Differentiation and Morphogenesis
Embryology and Organogenesis
Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology
Molecular Biology of Development
Developmental Toxicology
Microscopy and Imaging Techniques
Cell Culture and Tissue Engineering
Research Methods in Developmental Biology
Thesis Research

Certifications

KEMRI Professional Membership
ISDB Professional Membership

Specializations

Developmental Genetics

Focuses on developmental genetics, covering developmental, genetics, gene, regulation, and managing developmental genetics and gene regulation.

Embryology

Examines embryology, covering embryology, organogenesis, development, embryo, and managing embryology and organogenesis.

Reproductive Biology

Covers reproductive biology, covering reproductive, biology, biotechnology, fertility, and managing reproductive biology and biotechnology.

Cell Differentiation

Focuses on cell differentiation, covering cell, differentiation, morphogenesis, stem, and managing cell differentiation and morphogenesis.

Developmental Toxicology

Examines developmental toxicology, covering developmental, toxicology, teratology, environment, and managing developmental toxicology.

Molecular Biology of Development

Covers molecular biology of development, covering molecular, biology, development, signalling, and managing molecular biology of development.

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: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Developmental Genetics and Gene Regulation
Cell Differentiation and Morphogenesis
Embryology and Organogenesis
Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology
Molecular Biology of Development
Developmental Toxicology
Microscopy and Imaging Techniques
Cell Culture and Tissue Engineering
Research Methods in Developmental Biology
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Developmental Genetics and Gene Regulation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines developmental genetics, covering developmental, genetics, gene, regulation, and managing developmental genetics and gene regulation.
Cell Differentiation and Morphogenesis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers cell differentiation, covering cell, differentiation, morphogenesis, stem, and managing cell differentiation and morphogenesis.
Embryology and Organogenesis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines embryology, covering embryology, organogenesis, development, embryo, and managing embryology and organogenesis.
Molecular Biology of Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers molecular biology of development, covering molecular, biology, development, signalling, and managing molecular biology of development.
Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines reproductive biology, covering reproductive, biology, biotechnology, fertility, and managing reproductive biology and biotechnology.
Developmental Toxicology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers developmental toxicology, covering developmental, toxicology, teratology, environment, and managing developmental toxicology.
Microscopy and Imaging Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines microscopy, covering microscopy, imaging, techniques, analysis, and managing microscopy and imaging techniques.
Research Methods in Developmental Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research, methods, developmental, biology, and conducting research in developmental biology, preparing students for their thesis.
Cell Culture and Tissue Engineering
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines cell culture, covering cell, culture, tissue, engineering, and managing cell culture and tissue engineering.
Stem Cell Biology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers stem cell biology, covering stem, cell, biology, differentiation, and managing stem cell biology.
Evolutionary Developmental Biology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines evolutionary developmental biology, covering evolutionary, developmental, biology, diversity, and managing evolutionary developmental biology.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a developmental biology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and developmental biology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Developmental Genetics
Focuses on developmental genetics, covering developmental, genetics, gene, regulation, and managing developmental genetics and gene regulation.
Embryology
Examines embryology, covering embryology, organogenesis, development, embryo, and managing embryology and organogenesis.
Reproductive Biology
Covers reproductive biology, covering reproductive, biology, biotechnology, fertility, and managing reproductive biology and biotechnology.
Cell Differentiation
Focuses on cell differentiation, covering cell, differentiation, morphogenesis, stem, and managing cell differentiation and morphogenesis.
Developmental Toxicology
Examines developmental toxicology, covering developmental, toxicology, teratology, environment, and managing developmental toxicology.
Molecular Biology of Development
Covers molecular biology of development, covering molecular, biology, development, signalling, and managing molecular biology of development.

A day as a student

A typical day combines lectures, laboratory sessions, microscopy work, and independent study. Sessions cover developmental genetics, cell differentiation, embryology, reproductive biology, and developmental toxicology. Developmental genetics sessions examine developmental, genetics, gene, regulation, and managing developmental genetics. Cell differentiation sessions cover cell, differentiation, morphogenesis, stem, and managing cell differentiation. Embryology sessions cover embryology, organogenesis, development, embryo, and managing embryology and organogenesis. Reproductive biology sessions cover reproductive, biology, biotechnology, fertility, and managing reproductive biology. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience in cell culture, microscopy, and molecular analysis techniques. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a developmental biology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme addresses demand for developmental biology professionals in biomedical research and biotechnology.
Two public universities confirmed offering related programmes, providing options for students.
Programme integrates genetics, embryology, reproductive biology, and stem cell biology.
Graduates are eligible for KEMRI professional membership and ISDB international standards.

Against it

Significant fee difference between KU (KES 163,200/year) and UoN (KES 365,500/year).
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Laboratory sessions may require specialised microscopy and cell culture facilities.
Career paths may be more specialised compared to broader biological sciences programmes.

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

Public296k to 354k

296k at Kenyatta University354k 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). KU ~296K/yr (spas.ku.ac.ke). Private: unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Universities may offer scholarships for eligible students. ISDB and KEMRI may offer fellowships for developmental biology research and education.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
University Scholarship
ISDB Fellowship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
University Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 365,500Kenyan
KU and UoN may offer scholarships for eligible postgraduate developmental biology students.
ISDB Fellowship
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
ISDB and KEMRI may offer fellowships for developmental biology research and education.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: KU and UoN require at least Upper Second Class Honours in a relevant field. Lower Second Class may be considered with relevant experience. 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, microscopy reports, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering developmental genetics, embryology, reproductive biology, and molecular biology.
Practical Assessment
Project40% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory projects, demonstrating cell culture, microscopy, and molecular analysis skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a developmental biology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and developmental biology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). KU (public) offers MSc in Developmental Biology through the School of Pure and Applied Sciences. UoN (public) offers MSc in Biological Sciences with developmental biology specialisation. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in developmental biology. Graduates may interact with KEMRI for professional membership and ISDB for international standards. The programme aligns with CUE, KEMRI, ISDB, and AfSHG developmental biology frameworks.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. KU (public) offers MSc in Developmental Biology through the School of Pure and Applied Sciences. UoN (public) offers MSc in Biological Sciences with developmental biology specialisation. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in developmental biology. Graduates may interact with KEMRI for professional membership and ISDB for international standards. The programme aligns with CUE, KEMRI, ISDB, and AfSHG developmental biology frameworks.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Developmental Biologist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Conducts developmental biology research, covering developmental, biologist, research, biology, and managing developmental biology research.
Research Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts biological research, covering research, scientist, biology, development, and managing biological research.
Reproductive Biologist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Conducts reproductive biology research, covering reproductive, biologist, research, fertility, and managing reproductive biology research.
Biomedical Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts biomedical research, covering biomedical, researcher, research, biology, and managing biomedical research.
Biotechnology Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Applies biotechnology, covering biotechnology, specialist, biology, development, and managing biotechnology applications.
Biology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches developmental biology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R Statistical Software
SoftwarePrimary
R for developmental biology research data analysis, covering R, statistics, data, analysis, biology, and managing developmental biology research data analysis.
ImageJ
Software
ImageJ for microscopy image analysis, covering ImageJ, microscopy, image, analysis, and managing microscopy image analysis.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for developmental biology research data analysis, covering statistics, data, analysis, biology, and managing developmental biology statistics.
BLAST
Software
BLAST for sequence analysis in developmental genetics, covering BLAST, sequence, analysis, genetics, and managing sequence analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Developmental biology is just about studying embryos.
Developmental biology covers genetics, cell differentiation, reproductive biology, toxicology, and stem cell biology beyond just embryos.
This programme is only for biology graduates.
The programme is for professionals from biochemistry, genetics, medical sciences, and related fields, not just biology graduates.
Developmental biology has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Developmental biology professionals are in demand in biomedical research, reproductive health, and biotechnology as Kenya invests in health research.
This programme is the same as general biology.
MSc in Developmental Biology focuses specifically on how organisms develop from fertilisation to adulthood, while general biology covers all life forms.
Developmental biology is not relevant to Kenya.
Developmental biology is critical for understanding birth defects, reproductive health, and congenital diseases relevant to Kenya's health challenges.
You need laboratory experience to study this programme.
The programme is accessible to graduates from various science fields seeking developmental biology specialisation, not just experienced laboratory scientists.