Agriculture

Master of Science in Entomology

The Master of Science in Entomology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in insect science, pest management, and applied entomology. The programme combines entomology theory with practical laboratory work, field pest management, and research application.

Core areas include insect taxonomy and systematics, insect physiology, insect ecology, pest management, biological control, integrated pest management, agricultural entomology, medical entomology, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both entomology theory and practical laboratory and field work through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University through the School of Pure and Applied Sciences, JKUAT through the School of Biological Sciences with MSc in Medical Parasitology and Entomology and MSc in Molecular Entomology, and Murang'a University of Technology through the School of Pure, Health and Applied Sciences with MSc in Applied Entomology. All are public universities offering programmes over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in insect taxonomy, physiology, ecology, pest management, biological control, and integrated pest management. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, field pest management, and a supervised research thesis.

JKUAT charges approximately KES 178,500/year (KES 357,000 total) for MSc in Molecular Entomology and KES 248,000/year (KES 496,000 total) for MSc in Medical Parasitology and Entomology. KU charges similar fees for science masters programmes. Murang'a University charges similar fees. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in biological sciences, entomology, agriculture, zoology, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as entomologists, pest management specialists, agricultural entomologists, research scientists, extension officers, and lecturers in entomology across research institutions, agricultural companies, government agencies, NGOs, and universities.

Skills Required

Insect Taxonomy and Systematics
Insect Physiology and Biochemistry
Insect Ecology and Population Dynamics
Pest Management and Control
Biological Control of Pests
Integrated Pest Management
Agricultural Entomology and Crop Protection
Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Research Methods in Entomology
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Insect Taxonomy and Systematics
Insect Physiology and Biochemistry
Insect Ecology and Population Dynamics
Pest Management and Control
Biological Control of Pests
Integrated Pest Management
Agricultural Entomology and Crop Protection
Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Research Methods in Entomology
Thesis Research

Certifications

KALRO Entomology Certification
icipe Insect Science Certification

Specializations

Agricultural Entomology

Focuses on agricultural entomology, covering crop pests, pest management, IPM, and managing agricultural pest control.

Medical Entomology

Examines medical entomology, covering disease vectors, vector control, mosquito-borne diseases, and managing medical entomology.

Biological Control

Covers biological control, covering natural enemies, parasitoids, predators, pathogens, and managing biological control.

Insect Taxonomy and Systematics

Focuses on insect taxonomy, covering identification, classification, phylogenetics, biodiversity, and managing insect taxonomy.

Insect Ecology

Examines insect ecology, covering populations, communities, interactions, biodiversity, and managing insect ecology.

Integrated Pest Management

Covers IPM, covering monitoring, thresholds, biological, chemical, cultural control, and managing IPM programmes.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 433,500
Private, up to: Ksh 119,100
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

Insect Taxonomy and Systematics
Insect Physiology and Biochemistry
Insect Ecology and Population Dynamics
Pest Management and Control
Biological Control of Pests
Integrated Pest Management
Agricultural Entomology and Crop Protection
Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Research Methods in Entomology
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Insect Taxonomy and Systematics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines identification, classification, phylogenetics, biodiversity, and managing insect taxonomy.
Insect Physiology and Biochemistry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers digestion, nutrition, reproduction, development, neurophysiology, and managing insect physiology.
Insect Ecology and Population Dynamics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines populations, communities, interactions, biodiversity, and managing insect ecology.
Research Methods in Entomology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, entomology research methods, and conducting entomology research, preparing students for their thesis.
Pest Management and Control
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers monitoring, thresholds, chemical, cultural, biological control, and managing pest control.
Biological Control of Pests
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines natural enemies, parasitoids, predators, pathogens, and managing biological control.
Integrated Pest Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers monitoring, thresholds, biological, chemical, cultural control, decision-making, and managing IPM programmes.
Agricultural Entomology and Crop Protection
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines crop pests, pest management, IPM, economic thresholds, and managing agricultural pest control.
Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers disease vectors, vector control, mosquito-borne diseases, tick-borne diseases, and managing medical and veterinary entomology.
Molecular Entomology and Genetics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines molecular techniques, genomics, population genetics, genetic modification, and managing molecular entomology.
Insect Pest Identification and Diagnostics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers morphological identification, molecular diagnostics, digital keys, and managing insect pest diagnostics.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on an entomology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and entomology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Agricultural Entomology
Focuses on agricultural entomology, covering crop pests, pest management, IPM, and managing agricultural pest control.
Medical Entomology
Examines medical entomology, covering disease vectors, vector control, mosquito-borne diseases, and managing medical entomology.
Biological Control
Covers biological control, covering natural enemies, parasitoids, predators, pathogens, and managing biological control.
Insect Taxonomy and Systematics
Focuses on insect taxonomy, covering identification, classification, phylogenetics, biodiversity, and managing insect taxonomy.
Insect Ecology
Examines insect ecology, covering populations, communities, interactions, biodiversity, and managing insect ecology.
Integrated Pest Management
Covers IPM, covering monitoring, thresholds, biological, chemical, cultural control, and managing IPM programmes.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Entomology programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, field work, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover insect taxonomy, physiology, ecology, and pest management. Insect taxonomy sessions examine identification, classification, phylogenetics, biodiversity, and managing insect taxonomy. Insect physiology sessions cover digestion, nutrition, reproduction, development, neurophysiology, and managing insect physiology. Insect ecology sessions cover populations, communities, interactions, biodiversity, and managing insect ecology. Pest management sessions cover monitoring, thresholds, chemical, cultural, biological control, and managing pest control. Biological control sessions cover natural enemies, parasitoids, predators, pathogens, and managing biological control. IPM sessions cover monitoring, thresholds, biological, chemical, cultural control, and managing IPM programmes. Agricultural entomology sessions cover crop pests, pest management, IPM, and managing agricultural pest control. Medical entomology sessions cover disease vectors, vector control, mosquito-borne diseases, and managing medical entomology. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with insect collection, identification, rearing, dissection, microscopy, and analytical instruments. Field work provides hands-on experience with pest scouting, collection, trapping, identification, and field assessments. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with molecular techniques, bioassays, GIS, and entomology tools. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in entomology and presenting research findings. Guest lectures from experienced entomologists, pest management specialists, and researchers provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on an entomology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

icipe headquartered in Nairobi provides world-class research collaboration, training, and career opportunities for entomology graduates.
Programme offered by multiple public universities (KU, JKUAT, MUT), providing institutional choice.
JKUAT offers competitive fees for MSc in Molecular Entomology at approximately KES 178,500/year (KES 357,000 total).
Graduates are eligible for KALRO and icipe certifications, enhancing career prospects.

Against it

KU and MUT specific entomology fees not independently verified.
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Career opportunities may be concentrated in research institutions and agricultural agencies, with limited private sector demand.
Programme requires biological sciences or related background, limiting 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 303 agriculture courses

Public296k to 434k

296k at Kenyatta University434k at University of Nairobi

Private119k to 119k

119k at Mount Kenya University119k at Mount Kenya 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 296K/yr (mawese.com), MKU Applied Entomology ~119K/yr (spas.mku.ac.ke). UoN unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KU may offer postgraduate bursaries. icipe offers research fellowships for insect science research. KALRO and some agricultural research organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KU Postgraduate Scholarship
icipe Research Fellowship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KU Postgraduate Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
KU offers postgraduate scholarships for eligible students.
icipe Research Fellowship
ScholarshipKsh 500,000Kenyan
icipe offers research fellowships for insect science research at its Nairobi headquarters.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: KU requires Upper Second with Zoology or Botany, or BEd with Zoology or Botany with Upper Second, or Lower Second with Grade C in relevant units. JKUAT requires Upper Second in Biological Sciences, or Lower Second with evidence of research ability. Murang'a requires Upper Second in Biological Sciences, Entomology, Agriculture, or Environmental Sciences, or Lower Second with two years 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, field reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering insect taxonomy, physiology, ecology, and pest management.
Practical and Laboratory Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, insect identification, field assessments, and demonstrating entomology skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on an entomology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and entomology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University, JKUAT, and Murang'a University of Technology (all public) offer MSc programmes in entomology and related fields. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in entomology. Graduates are eligible for KALRO entomology certification and icipe insect science certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University, JKUAT, and Murang'a University of Technology (all public) offer MSc programmes in entomology and related fields. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in entomology. Graduates are eligible for KALRO entomology certification and icipe insect science certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Entomologist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts entomology research, overseeing insect biology, identification, and managing entomology research.
Pest Management Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages pest control programmes, overseeing IPM, monitoring, and managing pest management.
Agricultural Entomologist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages agricultural pest control, overseeing crop pests, IPM, and managing agricultural entomology.
Research Scientist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 600,000
Conducts entomology research, overseeing experiments, analysis, publications, and managing research projects.
Agricultural Extension Officer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Provides extension services, overseeing farmer training, advisory, and managing extension programmes.
Entomology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches entomology 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 pest mapping, covering distribution, risk, spatial analysis, and managing GIS for pest management.
R Studio
Software
R Studio for data analysis, covering entomology data, statistics, population analysis, and managing biological data analysis.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering experimental data, field data, and managing statistical analysis.
Geneious
Software
Geneious for molecular entomology, covering sequence analysis, phylogenetics, and managing molecular data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Entomology is just about studying bugs.
Entomology covers comprehensive taxonomy, physiology, ecology, pest management, and applied entomology beyond just studying bugs.
This programme is only for biologists.
Entomology skills are valuable for agriculturalists, veterinarians, public health professionals, and environmental scientists beyond just biologists.
Pest management is just about spraying pesticides.
Pest management covers comprehensive monitoring, thresholds, biological, chemical, cultural control, and IPM.
Biological control is just about releasing natural enemies.
Biological control covers comprehensive natural enemies, parasitoids, predators, pathogens, and ecosystem management.
Insect taxonomy is just about identifying insects.
Insect taxonomy covers comprehensive identification, classification, phylogenetics, biodiversity, and evolutionary relationships.
Entomology is only about agricultural pests.
Entomology covers comprehensive agricultural, medical, veterinary, forest, and stored product entomology.