Environmental Science

Master of Science in Environmental Physics

The Master of Science in Environmental Physics is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in the application of physics to environmental processes and systems. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in environmental monitoring, climate physics, atmospheric science, and environmental instrumentation.

Core areas include environmental physics, atmospheric physics, climate physics, radiation physics, environmental instrumentation, remote sensing physics, soil physics, energy and environment, environmental modelling, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical environmental physics applications.

The programme is offered by Kirinyaga University, Strathmore University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, with Kisii University as a college. MMUST offers MSc in Physics and MSc in Environmental Science through its School of Natural Sciences. MMUST MSc Physics fees are KES 62,000 per semester.

Students develop competencies in environmental measurement, atmospheric analysis, climate modelling, radiation detection, remote sensing, environmental instrumentation, and research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, field work, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time and part-time study modes. MMUST requires Second Class Upper or Lower with two years experience. MMUST MSc Physics fees are KES 62,000 per semester (~KES 124,000/year). JKUAT MSc Physics fees are KES 140,000 per year.

Graduates pursue careers as environmental physicists, climate scientists, atmospheric scientists, instrumentation specialists, researchers, and lecturers in meteorological departments, research institutions, environmental agencies, and universities.

Skills Required

Environmental Physics and Measurement
Atmospheric Physics and Analysis
Climate Physics and Modelling
Radiation Physics and Detection
Environmental Instrumentation and Sensors
Remote Sensing Physics
Soil Physics and Analysis
Energy and Environment Analysis
Environmental Modelling and Simulation
Environmental Physics Research Methods

Key Subjects

Environmental Physics
Atmospheric Physics
Climate Physics
Radiation Physics
Environmental Instrumentation
Remote Sensing Physics
Soil Physics
Energy and Environment
Environmental Modelling
Environmental Physics Research Methods

Certifications

KMD Professional Certification
IAEA Training Certification

Specializations

Atmospheric Physics

Focuses on atmospheric physics, atmospheric dynamics, atmospheric radiation, weather processes, and understanding physical processes in the atmosphere.

Climate Physics

Examines climate physics, climate modelling, climate dynamics, palaeoclimate, and understanding physical processes driving climate and climate change.

Radiation Physics

Covers radiation physics, radiation detection, radiation measurement, environmental radiation, and understanding and measuring radiation in the environment.

Environmental Instrumentation

Focuses on environmental instrumentation, sensors, environmental monitoring instruments, measurement systems, and designing and using instruments for environmental measurement.

Remote Sensing Physics

Examines remote sensing physics, satellite remote sensing, electromagnetic radiation, image physics, and understanding the physics of remote sensing for environmental monitoring.

Soil Physics

Covers soil physics, soil moisture, soil heat, soil mechanics, soil-water interactions, and understanding physical processes in soils.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 180,000
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: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Environmental Physics
Atmospheric Physics
Climate Physics
Radiation Physics
Environmental Instrumentation
Remote Sensing Physics
Soil Physics
Energy and Environment
Environmental Modelling
Environmental Physics Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Environmental Physics Principles
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines environmental physics principles, environmental processes, energy transfer, environmental systems, and applying physics to environmental problems.
Atmospheric Physics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers atmospheric physics, atmospheric dynamics, atmospheric radiation, atmospheric thermodynamics, weather processes, and understanding physical processes in the atmosphere.
Climate Physics and Modelling
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines climate physics, climate models, climate dynamics, energy balance, greenhouse effect, and understanding physical processes driving climate and climate change.
Radiation Physics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers radiation physics, radiation types, radiation detection, radiation measurement, environmental radiation, and understanding and measuring radiation in the environment.
Environmental Instrumentation and Sensors
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines environmental instrumentation, sensors, measurement systems, data acquisition, calibration, and designing and using instruments for environmental measurement.
Remote Sensing Physics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers remote sensing physics, electromagnetic radiation, satellite remote sensing, image physics, atmospheric correction, and understanding the physics of remote sensing.
Soil Physics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines soil physics, soil moisture, soil heat, soil mechanics, soil-water interactions, and understanding physical processes in soils.
Energy and Environment
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers energy and environment, renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy-environment interactions, and understanding energy and environmental physics.
Environmental Modelling and Simulation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines environmental modelling, mathematical modelling, numerical methods, simulation, and modelling environmental processes and systems.
Environmental Physics Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for environmental physics, experimental design, field methods, data analysis, and conducting environmental physics research, preparing students for their thesis.
Environmental Data Analysis
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines environmental data analysis, statistical analysis, time series analysis, spatial analysis, and analysing environmental and atmospheric data.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an environmental physics topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and environmental physics knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Atmospheric Physics
Focuses on atmospheric physics, atmospheric dynamics, atmospheric radiation, weather processes, and understanding physical processes in the atmosphere.
Climate Physics
Examines climate physics, climate modelling, climate dynamics, palaeoclimate, and understanding physical processes driving climate and climate change.
Radiation Physics
Covers radiation physics, radiation detection, radiation measurement, environmental radiation, and understanding and measuring radiation in the environment.
Environmental Instrumentation
Focuses on environmental instrumentation, sensors, environmental monitoring instruments, measurement systems, and designing and using instruments for environmental measurement.
Remote Sensing Physics
Examines remote sensing physics, satellite remote sensing, electromagnetic radiation, image physics, and understanding the physics of remote sensing for environmental monitoring.
Soil Physics
Covers soil physics, soil moisture, soil heat, soil mechanics, soil-water interactions, and understanding physical processes in soils.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Environmental Physics programme begins with morning lectures on atmospheric physics, climate physics, or radiation physics. Students engage in theoretical discussions on physical processes in the environment, atmospheric dynamics, and environmental measurement. Environmental physics sessions cover environmental processes, energy transfer, environmental systems, and applying physics to environmental problems. Atmospheric physics sessions examine atmospheric dynamics, atmospheric radiation, atmospheric thermodynamics, weather processes, and understanding physical processes in the atmosphere. Climate physics sessions cover climate models, climate dynamics, energy balance, greenhouse effect, and understanding physical processes driving climate. Radiation physics sessions involve radiation types, radiation detection, radiation measurement, environmental radiation, and understanding and measuring radiation. Environmental instrumentation sessions cover sensors, instruments, measurement systems, data acquisition, calibration, and designing and using instruments for environmental measurement. Remote sensing physics sessions examine electromagnetic radiation, satellite remote sensing, image physics, atmospheric correction, and understanding the physics of remote sensing. Soil physics sessions cover soil moisture, soil heat, soil mechanics, soil-water interactions, and understanding physical processes in soils. Energy and environment sessions involve renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy-environment interactions, and understanding energy and environmental physics. Environmental modelling sessions cover mathematical modelling, numerical methods, simulation, and modelling environmental processes and systems. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with radiation detection, atmospheric measurement, soil measurement, and instrument calibration. Field work provides hands-on experience in environmental measurement, atmospheric monitoring, and climate data collection. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering environmental physics research methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from KMD meteorologists, IAEA specialists, NEMA officials, and university researchers provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

MMUST MSc Physics fees are verified at KES 62,000 per semester (~KES 124,000/year), making it one of the most affordable postgraduate physics programmes.
Kenya's climate challenges, meteorological needs, environmental monitoring, and radiation safety create moderate demand for qualified environmental physics professionals.
Programme combines physics with environmental science, providing unique skills at the intersection of physics and environmental monitoring.
Career opportunities with KMD, NEMA, KEBS, IAEA, WMO, research institutions, and universities.

Against it

Programme requires physics or strong physical science background, which may exclude many graduates.
Environmental physics is a niche field with limited awareness among prospective students and employers.
Limited number of institutions offering the programme may restrict geographic access for prospective students.
Programme involves rigorous mathematical and physics content, which may be challenging for some students.

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

Public124k to 180k

124k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology180k at Kirinyaga 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

MMUST ~150,750/yr, Kirinyaga ~149,300/yr (kyu.ac.ke). Both unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. IAEA supports radiation physics and environmental monitoring research. AAS provides research grants for African scientists. WMO supports atmospheric and climate science capacity building. The programme's physics and environmental focus attracts research and international organisation funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
IAEA Research Funding
AAS Research Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate environmental physics studies at recognised universities.
IAEA Research Funding
GrantKsh 400,000
IAEA supports radiation physics and environmental monitoring research, providing funding for training and research in radiation and environmental physics.
AAS Research Grants
GrantKsh 300,000
African Academy of Sciences provides research grants for African scientists, supporting research in physics and environmental science.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme accepts physics, environmental science, meteorology, mathematics, and related physical science graduates. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time options. MMUST requires Second Class Upper or Lower with 2 years experience. MMUST MSc Physics fees KES 62,000 per semester.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, problem sets, laboratory reports, modelling projects, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering environmental physics, atmospheric physics, climate physics, and radiation physics, conducted at end of each semester.
Laboratory and Field Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory work, field work, instrument calibration, environmental measurement, data analysis, and practical reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an environmental physics topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and environmental physics knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). MMUST offers MSc in Physics and MSc in Environmental Science through its School of Natural Sciences. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate environmental physics training. KMD provides meteorological and atmospheric data in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. MMUST offers MSc in Physics and MSc in Environmental Science through its School of Natural Sciences. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate environmental physics training.
Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD)
Professional accreditation
KMD provides meteorological and atmospheric data in Kenya. Graduates working in meteorology and atmospheric science may collaborate with KMD on atmospheric monitoring and climate services.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Environmental Physicist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Applies physics to environmental problems, conducting environmental measurement, monitoring, and analysis for organisations and research institutions.
Climate Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Studies climate using physics-based models, conducting climate research, and supporting climate monitoring and prediction.
Atmospheric Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 500,000
Studies atmospheric processes, conducting atmospheric research, weather analysis, and supporting meteorological services and atmospheric monitoring.
Instrumentation Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Designs and maintains environmental instruments and sensors, overseeing measurement systems, calibration, and ensuring accurate environmental measurement.
Research Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts environmental physics research, studying atmospheric, climate, or radiation processes, and contributing to environmental physics knowledge.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches environmental physics and physics in universities, conducting research and training future physics and environmental science professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as environmental physicists, climate scientists, and instrumentation specialists in meteorological departments, research institutions, and environmental agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

MATLAB
SoftwarePrimary
Technical computing software for environmental physics data analysis, modelling, simulation, numerical methods, and atmospheric and climate data analysis.
Python
SoftwarePrimary
Programming language for environmental data analysis, scientific computing, atmospheric data processing, and environmental modelling and simulation.
R Statistical Computing
Software
Open-source statistical computing for environmental physics data analysis, climate data analysis, and statistical modelling.
GIS Software
Software
GIS software for environmental mapping, spatial analysis, remote sensing analysis, and environmental monitoring and assessment.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Environmental physics is just about weather.
The programme involves atmospheric dynamics, radiation, climate modelling, instrumentation, soil physics, and remote sensing, far beyond weather observation.
Physics has no application to the environment.
Physics underpins environmental measurement, climate science, atmospheric processes, radiation monitoring, and environmental instrumentation, making it essential for environmental science.
There is limited demand for environmental physicists in Kenya.
Kenya's climate challenges, meteorological needs, environmental monitoring, and radiation safety create moderate demand for qualified environmental physics professionals.
This programme is only for physics graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from physics, environmental science, meteorology, mathematics, and related physical science fields.
Environmental physics is purely theoretical.
Environmental physics involves practical instrumentation, field measurement, data analysis, and environmental monitoring, with strong applied components.
A master's in environmental physics is redundant after a bachelor's in physics.
The master's provides specialised environmental physics knowledge, instrumentation skills, research capability, and career progression to senior environmental and physics positions.