Master of Science in Environmental Chemistry
The Master of Science in Environmental Chemistry is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, pollution monitoring, and chemical analysis of environmental samples. The programme combines chemistry theory with practical laboratory work, field sampling, and research application.
Core areas include environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, water chemistry, soil chemistry, environmental toxicology, pollution monitoring, instrumental analysis, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both chemistry theory and practical laboratory and field work through coursework and research.
The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science and Technology, JKUAT as MSc in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry, and Kenyatta University as MSc in Applied Analytical Chemistry through the School of Pure and Applied Sciences. All are public universities offering programmes over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.
Students develop competencies in environmental chemistry, analytical techniques, pollution monitoring, and instrumental analysis. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, field sampling, and a supervised research thesis.
University of Nairobi charges approximately KES 397,500/year (KES 795,000 total) for MSc in Environmental Chemistry. Kenyatta University charges approximately KES 326,400/year for MSc in Applied Analytical Chemistry. JKUAT charges similar fees for related programmes. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in chemistry or related fields from a recognised university.
Graduates pursue careers as environmental chemists, analytical chemists, environmental consultants, quality assurance officers, research scientists, and lecturers in environmental chemistry across environmental agencies, research institutions, manufacturing companies, consulting firms, government agencies, and universities.
Skills Required
- Environmental Chemistry and Analysis
- Analytical Chemistry and Instrumentation
- Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Quality
- Water and Wastewater Chemistry
- Soil Chemistry and Contamination
- Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment
- Pollution Monitoring and Assessment
- Instrumental Analysis and Spectroscopy
- Research Methods in Environmental Chemistry
- Academic Writing and Thesis Research
Key Subjects
- Environmental Chemistry and Analysis
- Analytical Chemistry and Instrumentation
- Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Quality
- Water and Wastewater Chemistry
- Soil Chemistry and Contamination
- Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment
- Pollution Monitoring and Assessment
- Instrumental Analysis and Spectroscopy
- Research Methods in Environmental Chemistry
- Thesis Research
Certifications
- NEMA Environmental Certification
- IUPAC Chemistry Certification
Specializations
Atmospheric Chemistry
Focuses on atmospheric chemistry, covering air quality, emissions, atmospheric reactions, climate, and managing atmospheric chemistry.
Water Chemistry
Examines water chemistry, covering freshwater, marine, wastewater, water quality, and managing water chemistry.
Soil Chemistry
Covers soil chemistry, covering soil composition, contamination, remediation, fertility, and managing soil chemistry.
Environmental Toxicology
Focuses on environmental toxicology, covering toxicants, exposure, effects, risk assessment, and managing environmental toxicology.
Pollution Monitoring
Examines pollution monitoring, covering air, water, soil, sampling, analysis, and managing pollution monitoring.
Instrumental Analysis
Covers instrumental analysis, covering spectroscopy, chromatography, mass spectrometry, and managing instrumental analysis.
- Duration
- 2 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 397,500
- 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- Environmental Chemistry and Analysis
- Analytical Chemistry and Instrumentation
- Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Quality
- Water and Wastewater Chemistry
- Soil Chemistry and Contamination
- Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment
- Pollution Monitoring and Assessment
- Instrumental Analysis and Spectroscopy
- Research Methods in Environmental Chemistry
- Thesis Research
Modules
12 in the programmeEnvironmental Chemistry and Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines environment, chemicals, interactions, fate, transport, and managing environmental chemistry.
Analytical Chemistry and Instrumentation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers methods, techniques, validation, QA/QC, instrumentation, and managing analytical chemistry.
Research Methods in Environmental Chemistry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, environmental chemistry research methods, and conducting environmental chemistry research, preparing students for their thesis.
Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Quality
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines air quality, emissions, atmospheric reactions, climate, and managing atmospheric chemistry.
Water and Wastewater Chemistry
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers freshwater, marine, wastewater, water quality, treatment, and managing water chemistry.
Soil Chemistry and Contamination
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines soil composition, contamination, remediation, fertility, and managing soil chemistry.
Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers toxicants, exposure, effects, risk assessment, and managing environmental toxicology.
Pollution Monitoring and Assessment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines air, water, soil, sampling, analysis, bioindicators, and managing pollution monitoring.
Instrumental Analysis and Spectroscopy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers spectroscopy, chromatography, mass spectrometry, electrochemistry, and managing instrumental analysis.
Environmental Chemical Processes
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines chemical processes, reactions, kinetics, equilibrium, and managing environmental chemical processes.
Waste Management Chemistry
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers solid waste, hazardous waste, treatment, disposal, recycling, and managing waste chemistry.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on an environmental chemistry topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and environmental chemistry knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Specialisations
Atmospheric Chemistry
Focuses on atmospheric chemistry, covering air quality, emissions, atmospheric reactions, climate, and managing atmospheric chemistry.
Water Chemistry
Examines water chemistry, covering freshwater, marine, wastewater, water quality, and managing water chemistry.
Soil Chemistry
Covers soil chemistry, covering soil composition, contamination, remediation, fertility, and managing soil chemistry.
Environmental Toxicology
Focuses on environmental toxicology, covering toxicants, exposure, effects, risk assessment, and managing environmental toxicology.
Pollution Monitoring
Examines pollution monitoring, covering air, water, soil, sampling, analysis, and managing pollution monitoring.
Instrumental Analysis
Covers instrumental analysis, covering spectroscopy, chromatography, mass spectrometry, and managing instrumental analysis.
A day as a student
A typical day during the MSc in Environmental Chemistry programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, field sampling, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, water chemistry, and soil chemistry. Environmental chemistry sessions examine environment, chemicals, interactions, fate, transport, and managing environmental chemistry. Analytical chemistry sessions cover methods, techniques, validation, QA/QC, and managing analytical chemistry. Atmospheric chemistry sessions cover air quality, emissions, atmospheric reactions, climate, and managing atmospheric chemistry. Water chemistry sessions cover freshwater, marine, wastewater, water quality, and managing water chemistry. Soil chemistry sessions cover soil composition, contamination, remediation, fertility, and managing soil chemistry. Environmental toxicology sessions cover toxicants, exposure, effects, risk assessment, and managing environmental toxicology. Pollution monitoring sessions cover air, water, soil, sampling, analysis, and managing pollution monitoring. Instrumental analysis sessions cover spectroscopy, chromatography, mass spectrometry, and managing instrumental analysis. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with AAS, GC, HPLC, UV-Vis, ICP-MS, and analytical instruments. Field sampling provides hands-on experience with water, soil, air sampling, sample preservation, and field analysis. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with analytical methods, QA/QC, and environmental chemistry tools. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in environmental chemistry and presenting research findings. Guest lectures from experienced environmental chemists and industry professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on an environmental chemistry topic.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Programme offered by three public universities (UoN, JKUAT, KU), providing institutional choice.
- KU charges competitive fees at approximately KES 326,400/year for applied analytical chemistry.
- Programme addresses critical environmental challenges including pollution monitoring, water quality, and contamination assessment.
- Graduates are eligible for NEMA and IUPAC certifications, enhancing career prospects.
Against it
- UoN charges relatively high fees at approximately KES 397,500/year (KES 795,000 total).
- JKUAT specific analytical and environmental chemistry fees not independently verified.
- No private university confirmed offering this programme.
- Programme requires chemistry 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 181 environmental science coursesAnnual 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 795,000/2yr=~397,500/yr (chemistry.uonbi.ac.ke). JKUAT unverified. No private.
HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UoN may offer postgraduate bursaries. NEMA and some environmental organisations may offer research grants. IUPAC may offer fellowships for chemistry research.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
UoN Postgraduate Bursary
NEMA Research Grant
Scholarships
3 recordedHELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
UoN Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
UoN offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
NEMA Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 500,000Kenyan
NEMA provides research grants for environmental research.
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- N/A (Postgraduate)
- Alternative entry
- UoN requires Upper Second in relevant discipline, or lower qualifications with publications and postgraduate diplomas. JKUAT requires Upper Second in relevant field. KU requires BSc or BEd (Science) with Upper Second with Chemistry as major, with at least Grade C in Chemistry units. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.
How you are assessed
4 componentsCoursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, practical reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, and water chemistry.
Practical and Laboratory Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, instrumental analysis, field sampling, and demonstrating environmental chemistry skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on an environmental chemistry topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and environmental chemistry knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Accreditation
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi, JKUAT, and Kenyatta University (all public) offer MSc programmes in environmental chemistry and related fields. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in environmental chemistry. Graduates are eligible for NEMA environmental certification and IUPAC chemistry certification.
Accredited by
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi, JKUAT, and Kenyatta University (all public) offer MSc programmes in environmental chemistry and related fields. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in environmental chemistry. Graduates are eligible for NEMA environmental certification and IUPAC chemistry certification.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
6 rolesEnvironmental Chemist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts environmental chemistry analysis, overseeing chemicals, interactions, and managing environmental chemistry.
Analytical Chemist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 550,000
Performs analytical chemistry, overseeing methods, techniques, instrumentation, and managing analytical chemistry.
Environmental Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 550,000
Provides environmental consulting, overseeing EIA, advisory, compliance, and managing environmental consulting.
Quality Assurance Officer
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages quality assurance, overseeing QA/QC, standards, compliance, and managing quality assurance.
Research Scientist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 600,000
Conducts environmental chemistry research, overseeing experiments, analysis, publications, and managing research projects.
Environmental Chemistry Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches environmental chemistry at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as environmental chemists, analytical chemists, environmental consultants, quality assurance officers, research scientists, and lecturers in environmental chemistry across environmental agencies, research institutions, manufacturing companies, consulting firms, government agencies, and universities.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Career Guidance & Labour Market Information CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- School Guidance CounselorEducation17Low exposure
- CrystallographerScience19Low exposure
- StatisticsScience20Low exposure
- Motor Vehicle MechanicEducation21Low exposure
- MycologistScience21Low exposure
- OceanographerScience21Low exposure
- Computational BiologistScience22Low exposure
Tools you will learn
GC-MS
InstrumentPrimary
GC-MS for chemical analysis, covering separation, identification, quantification, and managing chemical analysis.
AAS
Instrument
AAS for metal analysis, covering heavy metals, trace elements, and managing metal analysis.
HPLC
Instrument
HPLC for chemical separation, covering organic compounds, pesticides, and managing chemical separation.
R Studio
Software
R Studio for data analysis, covering environmental data, statistics, and managing chemical data analysis.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Environmental chemistry is just about testing water.
Environmental chemistry covers comprehensive air, water, soil, atmospheric, and toxicological chemistry beyond just testing water.
This programme is only for chemists.
Environmental chemistry skills are valuable for environmental scientists, biologists, geologists, and engineers beyond just chemists.
Analytical chemistry is just about using instruments.
Analytical chemistry covers comprehensive methods, techniques, validation, QA/QC, and data interpretation.
Atmospheric chemistry is just about air pollution.
Atmospheric chemistry covers comprehensive air quality, emissions, atmospheric reactions, climate, and atmospheric processes.
Soil chemistry is just about soil testing.
Soil chemistry covers comprehensive composition, contamination, remediation, fertility, and soil chemical processes.
Environmental toxicology is just about toxic chemicals.
Environmental toxicology covers comprehensive toxicants, exposure, effects, risk assessment, and environmental health.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Master of Science in Environmental Chemistry are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.