Science

Master of Science in Experimental Physics

The Master of Science in Experimental Physics is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in experimental physics methods, instrumentation, and materials characterisation. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in experimental physics research, materials science, instrumentation development, and applied physics.

Core areas include experimental physics, materials science, solid state physics, electronics and instrumentation, nuclear and radiation physics, geo and space physics, laser physics, computational physics, nanotechnology, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and extensive laboratory and experimental work.

The programme is offered by Kirinyaga University, Strathmore University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, with Maseno University as a college. MMUST offers MSc in Physics through its School of Natural Sciences. Murang'a University of Technology offers MSc Physics with explicit Experimental Physics category.

Students develop competencies in experimental design, materials characterisation, instrumentation, radiation detection, laser systems, computational modelling, data analysis, and research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, seminars, examinations, supervised research, publications, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years (24–48 months full-time, up to 60 months part-time) with full-time and part-time study modes. MMUST requires Second Class Upper or Lower with 2 years experience. MMUST fees are KES 62,000 per semester. JKUAT fees are KES 140,000 per year. Students must publish at least one research paper before thesis submission.

Graduates pursue careers as experimental physicists, materials scientists, instrumentation specialists, radiation safety officers, researchers, and lecturers in research institutions, manufacturing companies, nuclear agencies, hospitals, and universities.

Skills Required

Experimental Physics Methods and Design
Materials Characterisation and Analysis
Solid State Physics and Analysis
Electronics and Instrumentation Design
Nuclear and Radiation Physics
Laser Physics and Optics
Computational Physics and Modelling
Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials
Experimental Data Analysis and Statistics
Experimental Physics Research Methods

Key Subjects

Experimental Physics
Materials Science
Solid State Physics
Electronics and Instrumentation
Nuclear and Radiation Physics
Geo and Space Physics
Laser Physics
Computational Physics
Nanotechnology
Experimental Physics Research Methods

Certifications

RPB Radiation Safety Certification
IOP Professional Membership

Specializations

Materials Science

Focuses on materials science, material properties, material characterisation, material synthesis, and studying and developing materials for applications.

Solid State Physics

Examines solid state physics, crystal structures, electronic properties, thermal properties, and understanding physical properties of solid materials.

Electronics and Instrumentation

Covers electronics and instrumentation, electronic devices, sensors, measurement systems, and designing and building experimental instruments and electronics.

Nuclear and Radiation Physics

Focuses on nuclear physics, radiation physics, radiation detection, nuclear instrumentation, and understanding and applying nuclear and radiation physics.

Geo and Space Physics

Examines geo and space physics, geophysics, atmospheric physics, space physics, and understanding physical processes in earth and space environments.

Laser Physics and Optics

Covers laser physics, optics, photonics, laser systems, optical measurement, and understanding and applying laser and optical physics.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 163,000
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

Experimental Physics
Materials Science
Solid State Physics
Electronics and Instrumentation
Nuclear and Radiation Physics
Geo and Space Physics
Laser Physics
Computational Physics
Nanotechnology
Experimental Physics Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Experimental Physics Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines experimental methods, experimental design, measurement techniques, error analysis, data acquisition, and designing and conducting physics experiments.
Materials Science and Characterisation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers materials science, material properties, material characterisation, material synthesis, crystal structures, and studying and developing materials.
Solid State Physics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines solid state physics, crystal structures, electronic properties, band theory, thermal properties, semiconductors, and understanding physical properties of solids.
Electronics and Instrumentation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers electronics and instrumentation, electronic devices, sensors, amplifiers, data acquisition, microcontrollers, and designing and building experimental instruments.
Nuclear and Radiation Physics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines nuclear physics, nuclear structure, radioactive decay, radiation detection, nuclear instrumentation, radiation safety, and understanding and applying nuclear physics.
Geo and Space Physics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers geo and space physics, geophysics, atmospheric physics, space physics, geomagnetism, and understanding physical processes in earth and space environments.
Laser Physics and Optics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines laser physics, laser principles, laser types, laser systems, optics, photonics, optical measurement, and applying laser physics in experiments.
Computational Physics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers computational physics, computational methods, numerical analysis, simulation, modelling, and using computation for physics problems and experiments.
Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines nanotechnology, nanomaterials, nanofabrication, nanoscale characterisation, nanoscale physics, and understanding and applying nanoscale physics.
Experimental Physics Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for experimental physics, experimental design, data analysis, scientific writing, publication, and conducting experimental physics research, preparing students for their thesis.
Advanced Experimental Techniques
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines advanced experimental techniques, advanced instrumentation, advanced measurement, vacuum technology, cryogenics, spectroscopy, and advanced experimental methods.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an experimental physics topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and experimental physics knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence. At least one published research paper required before submission.

Specialisations

Materials Science
Focuses on materials science, material properties, material characterisation, material synthesis, and studying and developing materials for applications.
Solid State Physics
Examines solid state physics, crystal structures, electronic properties, thermal properties, and understanding physical properties of solid materials.
Electronics and Instrumentation
Covers electronics and instrumentation, electronic devices, sensors, measurement systems, and designing and building experimental instruments and electronics.
Nuclear and Radiation Physics
Focuses on nuclear physics, radiation physics, radiation detection, nuclear instrumentation, and understanding and applying nuclear and radiation physics.
Geo and Space Physics
Examines geo and space physics, geophysics, atmospheric physics, space physics, and understanding physical processes in earth and space environments.
Laser Physics and Optics
Covers laser physics, optics, photonics, laser systems, optical measurement, and understanding and applying laser and optical physics.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Experimental Physics programme begins with morning lectures on solid state physics, materials science, or nuclear physics. Students engage in theoretical discussions on experimental methods, physical properties, and instrumentation design. Experimental methods sessions cover experimental design, measurement techniques, error analysis, data acquisition, and designing and conducting physics experiments. Materials science sessions examine material properties, material characterisation, material synthesis, crystal structures, and studying and developing materials. Solid state physics sessions cover crystal structures, electronic properties, band theory, thermal properties, semiconductors, and understanding physical properties of solids. Electronics and instrumentation sessions involve electronic devices, sensors, amplifiers, data acquisition, microcontrollers, and designing and building experimental instruments. Nuclear and radiation physics sessions cover nuclear structure, radioactive decay, radiation detection, nuclear instrumentation, radiation safety, and understanding and applying nuclear physics. Geo and space physics sessions examine geophysics, atmospheric physics, space physics, geomagnetism, and understanding physical processes in earth and space. Laser physics sessions cover laser principles, laser types, laser systems, optics, photonics, and applying laser physics in experiments. Computational physics sessions involve computational methods, numerical analysis, simulation, modelling, and using computation for physics problems. Nanotechnology sessions cover nanomaterials, nanofabrication, nanoscale characterisation, and understanding and applying nanoscale physics. Laboratory sessions provide extensive hands-on experience with experimental setups, materials characterisation, radiation detection, laser systems, and electronic instrumentation. Seminar sessions involve research presentations, conference presentations, and progress reports. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering experimental physics research methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Students must publish at least one research paper in peer-reviewed journals before thesis submission. Guest lectures from IAEA specialists, KEBS scientists, RPB officials, and university researchers provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis with oral defence.

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.
MUT offers explicit Experimental Physics category with specialisations in materials, solid state, electronics, nuclear, and geo/space physics.
Programme requires publication of at least one research paper in peer-reviewed journals before thesis submission, ensuring research output.
Career opportunities with KEBS, RPB, IAEA, research institutions, manufacturing companies, hospitals, and universities.

Against it

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

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

Public131k to 163k

131k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology163k 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 ~131K/yr (mmust.ac.ke). Kirinyaga ~163K/yr (kyu.ac.ke). Private: unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. IAEA supports nuclear and radiation physics research. AAS provides research grants for African scientists. IOP supports physics education and research. The programme's experimental and applied physics 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 experimental physics studies at recognised universities.
IAEA Research Funding
GrantKsh 400,000
IAEA supports nuclear and radiation physics research, providing funding for training and research in nuclear science and materials research.
AAS Research Grants
GrantKsh 300,000
African Academy of Sciences provides research grants for African scientists, supporting research in physics and materials 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, engineering, applied mathematics, and related physical science graduates. Two-year programme (24–48 months full-time, up to 60 months part-time) with full-time and part-time options. MMUST requires Second Class Upper or Lower with 2 years experience. MMUST fees KES 62,000 per semester. Students must publish at least one research paper before thesis submission.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, problem sets, laboratory reports, experimental design projects, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering experimental physics, materials science, solid state physics, and nuclear physics, conducted at end of each semester.
Laboratory and Experimental Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory work, experimental design, instrument building, data acquisition, materials characterisation, and experimental reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an experimental physics topic, requiring at least one published research paper in peer-reviewed journals, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). MMUST offers MSc in Physics through its School of Natural Sciences. MUT offers MSc Physics with explicit Experimental Physics category. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate experimental physics training. RPB regulates radiation safety in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. MMUST offers MSc in Physics through its School of Natural Sciences. MUT offers MSc Physics with explicit Experimental Physics category. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate experimental physics training.
Radiation Protection Board (RPB)
Professional accreditation
RPB regulates radiation safety in Kenya. Graduates working with radiation and nuclear materials may require RPB certification and radiation safety training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Experimental Physicist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Designs and conducts physics experiments, studying materials, radiation, or optical systems, and contributing to physics knowledge and applications.
Materials Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Studies and develops materials, characterising material properties, synthesising new materials, and supporting materials development for industry.
Instrumentation Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Designs and builds experimental instruments and electronics, overseeing measurement systems, sensors, and ensuring accurate measurement and data acquisition.
Radiation Safety Officer
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages radiation safety, overseeing radiation protection, monitoring, and ensuring compliance with radiation safety standards in hospitals, research, and industry.
Research Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts experimental physics research, studying materials, radiation, or optical systems, and contributing to physics knowledge and innovation.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches experimental physics and physics in universities, conducting research and training future physics professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as experimental physicists, materials scientists, and instrumentation specialists in research institutions, manufacturing companies, and nuclear agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

MATLAB
SoftwarePrimary
Technical computing software for experimental data analysis, signal processing, modelling, simulation, and numerical methods in experimental physics.
LabVIEW
SoftwarePrimary
Laboratory virtual instrumentation software for data acquisition, instrument control, automated measurement, and experimental automation.
Python
Software
Programming language for scientific computing, data analysis, experimental data processing, and computational physics modelling.
Origin
Software
Data analysis and graphing software for experimental physics data analysis, curve fitting, peak analysis, and scientific plotting.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Experimental physics is just about doing experiments in a lab.
The programme involves complex experimental design, materials science, instrumentation development, computational modelling, and research publication, far beyond simple lab work.
Physics has limited career opportunities in Kenya.
Kenya's manufacturing sector, radiation safety needs, materials testing, nuclear interests, and education sector create moderate demand for qualified experimental physics professionals.
There is limited demand for experimental physicists in Kenya.
Kenya's industrial development, materials testing, radiation safety, instrumentation needs, and scientific research create moderate demand for qualified experimental physics professionals.
This programme is only for physics graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from physics, engineering, applied mathematics, and related physical science fields with physics background.
Experimental physics is outdated with no modern applications.
Modern experimental physics involves nanotechnology, laser systems, advanced materials, computational modelling, and cutting-edge instrumentation with wide industrial applications.
A master's in experimental physics is redundant after a bachelor's in physics.
The master's provides specialised experimental skills, instrumentation expertise, research capability, and career progression to senior research and applied physics positions.