Science

Master of Science in Hydrobiology

The Master of Science in Hydrobiology is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in aquatic biology, freshwater and marine ecosystems, fisheries management, and water science. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in fisheries management, aquatic research, water quality management, and marine and freshwater conservation.

Core areas include hydrobiology, aquatic ecology, fisheries management, limnology, marine biology, water quality, aquatic biodiversity, plankton biology, fish biology, aquatic pollution, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical hydrobiology and aquatic science applications.

The programme is offered by Kirinyaga University, Strathmore University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, with University of Nairobi as a college. UoN offers MSc in Hydrobiology through its Department of Biology, School of Biological Sciences, with specialisations in Fisheries Management or Marine and Fresh Water.

Students develop competencies in aquatic ecosystem analysis, fisheries management, water quality assessment, aquatic biodiversity, plankton analysis, fish biology, 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 study mode at UoN. UoN requires Upper Second in Biological Sciences or Lower Second with 2 years experience. UoN tuition fees are KES 624,000 total (~KES 312,000/year) with grand total KES 731,000 including all fees.

Graduates pursue careers as hydrobiologists, fisheries managers, aquatic ecologists, water quality scientists, marine biologists, and lecturers in fisheries departments, water authorities, environmental organisations, research institutions, and universities.

Skills Required

Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Analysis
Fisheries Management and Conservation
Limnology and Freshwater Science
Marine Biology and Oceanography
Water Quality Assessment and Monitoring
Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation
Plankton Biology and Ecology
Fish Biology and Aquaculture
Aquatic Pollution and Environmental Impact
Hydrobiology Research Methods

Key Subjects

Hydrobiology
Aquatic Ecology
Fisheries Management
Limnology
Marine Biology
Water Quality
Aquatic Biodiversity
Plankton Biology
Fish Biology
Hydrobiology Research Methods

Certifications

KMFRI Research Certification
WIOMSA Professional Membership

Specializations

Fisheries Management

Focuses on fisheries management, fish population dynamics, fisheries assessment, fish stock management, sustainable fishing, and managing and conserving fish populations and fisheries.

Marine and Fresh Water

Examines marine and freshwater ecosystems, marine biology, freshwater biology, aquatic ecosystems, and understanding and managing marine and freshwater environments.

Limnology

Covers limnology, lake ecology, freshwater ecosystems, physical limnology, chemical limnology, biological limnology, and understanding and managing freshwater ecosystems.

Water Quality Management

Focuses on water quality management, water quality assessment, water monitoring, water pollution, and assessing and managing water quality in aquatic ecosystems.

Aquatic Biodiversity

Examines aquatic biodiversity, aquatic species, aquatic habitats, biodiversity conservation, and understanding and conserving aquatic biodiversity.

Aquatic Pollution

Covers aquatic pollution, water pollution, pollutant effects, pollution monitoring, pollution control, and understanding and managing pollution in aquatic environments.

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
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Hydrobiology
Aquatic Ecology
Fisheries Management
Limnology
Marine Biology
Water Quality
Aquatic Biodiversity
Plankton Biology
Fish Biology
Hydrobiology Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Hydrobiology Principles
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines hydrobiology principles, aquatic ecosystems, water science, aquatic organisms, aquatic environments, and understanding fundamental hydrobiology concepts.
Aquatic Ecology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers aquatic ecology, aquatic ecosystems, ecosystem processes, food webs, nutrient cycling, energy flow, and understanding and managing aquatic ecosystems.
Fisheries Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines fisheries management, fish populations, fisheries assessment, fish stock dynamics, sustainable fishing, fisheries policy, and managing and conserving fisheries.
Limnology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers limnology, lake ecology, physical limnology, chemical limnology, biological limnology, lake processes, and understanding and managing freshwater ecosystems.
Marine Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines marine biology, marine ecosystems, marine organisms, ocean processes, coral reefs, marine conservation, and understanding marine environments.
Water Quality Assessment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers water quality parameters, water quality assessment, water monitoring, water quality standards, water pollution, and assessing and managing water quality.
Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines aquatic biodiversity, aquatic species, aquatic habitats, biodiversity assessment, biodiversity conservation, and understanding and conserving aquatic biodiversity.
Plankton Biology and Ecology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers phytoplankton, zooplankton, plankton ecology, plankton dynamics, primary production, and understanding plankton communities and their role in aquatic ecosystems.
Fish Biology and Aquaculture
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines fish biology, fish anatomy, fish physiology, fish ecology, fish behaviour, aquaculture, and understanding fish biology and aquaculture principles.
Hydrobiology Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for hydrobiology, experimental design, field methods, laboratory methods, data analysis, and conducting hydrobiology research, preparing students for their thesis.
Aquatic Pollution and Environmental Impact
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines aquatic pollution, water pollutants, pollutant effects, pollution monitoring, pollution control, environmental impact, and understanding and managing aquatic pollution.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a hydrobiology topic in Fisheries Management or Marine and Fresh Water, demonstrating mastery of research methods and hydrobiology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Fisheries Management
Focuses on fisheries management, fish population dynamics, fisheries assessment, fish stock management, sustainable fishing, and managing and conserving fish populations and fisheries.
Marine and Fresh Water
Examines marine and freshwater ecosystems, marine biology, freshwater biology, aquatic ecosystems, and understanding and managing marine and freshwater environments.
Limnology
Covers limnology, lake ecology, freshwater ecosystems, physical limnology, chemical limnology, biological limnology, and understanding and managing freshwater ecosystems.
Water Quality Management
Focuses on water quality management, water quality assessment, water monitoring, water pollution, and assessing and managing water quality in aquatic ecosystems.
Aquatic Biodiversity
Examines aquatic biodiversity, aquatic species, aquatic habitats, biodiversity conservation, and understanding and conserving aquatic biodiversity.
Aquatic Pollution
Covers aquatic pollution, water pollution, pollutant effects, pollution monitoring, pollution control, and understanding and managing pollution in aquatic environments.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Hydrobiology programme begins with morning lectures on hydrobiology, aquatic ecology, or fisheries management at UoN's Chiromo Campus. Students engage in theoretical discussions on aquatic ecosystems, water quality, and fisheries. Hydrobiology sessions cover hydrobiology principles, aquatic ecosystems, water science, aquatic organisms, and understanding aquatic environments. Aquatic ecology sessions examine aquatic ecosystems, ecosystem processes, food webs, nutrient cycling, and understanding and managing aquatic ecosystems. Fisheries management sessions cover fish populations, fisheries assessment, fish stock dynamics, sustainable fishing, fisheries policy, and managing and conserving fisheries. Limnology sessions examine lake ecology, physical limnology, chemical limnology, biological limnology, lake processes, and understanding freshwater ecosystems. Marine biology sessions cover marine ecosystems, marine organisms, ocean processes, coral reefs, and understanding marine environments. Water quality sessions involve water quality parameters, water quality assessment, water monitoring, water pollution, and assessing and managing water quality. Aquatic biodiversity sessions cover aquatic species, aquatic habitats, biodiversity assessment, biodiversity conservation, and understanding and conserving aquatic biodiversity. Plankton biology sessions examine phytoplankton, zooplankton, plankton ecology, plankton dynamics, and understanding plankton communities. Fish biology sessions cover fish anatomy, fish physiology, fish ecology, fish behaviour, and understanding fish biology. Aquatic pollution sessions involve water pollution, pollutants, pollutant effects, pollution monitoring, pollution control, and understanding and managing aquatic pollution. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with water quality analysis, plankton identification, fish identification, aquatic organism analysis, and microbiological analysis. Field work provides extensive hands-on experience in lakes, rivers, marine environments, fish landing sites, and water sampling sites. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering hydrobiology research methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from KMFRI researchers, Kenya Fisheries officers, WRA scientists, and WIOMSA specialists provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

UoN offers MSc Hydrobiology through its established Department of Biology at Chiromo Campus with verified fees of KES 624,000 tuition total and aquatic research facilities.
Kenya's blue economy, fisheries sector, Lake Victoria, Indian Ocean, and water security create moderate demand for qualified hydrobiology professionals.
Programme offers two specialisation options: Fisheries Management or Marine and Fresh Water, providing flexibility and career options.
KMFRI and Kenya Fisheries Service provide research and career opportunities for hydrobiology graduates in Kenya.

Against it

Programme requires biological sciences or related background, which may exclude some graduates.
Field work in aquatic environments may be challenging due to remote locations, water safety, and weather conditions.
Hydrobiology is a niche field with limited awareness among prospective students and some employers.
Laboratory work requires access to aquatic science facilities, water quality labs, and marine research equipment, which may vary across institutions.

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 354k

131k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology354k 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). MMUST ~131K/yr (mmust.ac.ke). Private: unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KMFRI supports marine and fisheries research. WIOMSA supports marine science research in the Western Indian Ocean. IOC supports ocean science capacity building. The programme's aquatic and fisheries focus attracts research and international organisation funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KMFRI Research Funding
WIOMSA Research Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate hydrobiology studies at recognised universities.
KMFRI Research Funding
GrantKsh 300,000Kenyan
KMFRI provides research funding for marine and fisheries research, supporting postgraduate research in hydrobiology and aquatic sciences.
WIOMSA Research Grants
GrantKsh 400,000
WIOMSA provides research grants for marine science research in the Western Indian Ocean region, supporting research and capacity building.

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 graduates from biological sciences, environmental science, fisheries, aquaculture, and related fields. Two-year programme with coursework, examination, and thesis. UoN requires Upper Second or Lower Second with 2 years experience or pass degree with PGDip. UoN tuition KES 624,000 total with grand total KES 731,000 including all fees.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, field reports, aquatic analysis projects, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
End of semester examinations covering hydrobiology, aquatic ecology, fisheries, and water quality, as per UoN programme structure.
Laboratory and Field Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory work, field work, water quality analysis, plankton identification, fish identification, and practical reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a hydrobiology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and hydrobiology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). UoN offers MSc in Hydrobiology through its Department of Biology, School of Biological Sciences, with specialisations in Fisheries Management or Marine and Fresh Water. MMUST offers related MSc in Environmental Biology (CUE accredited 2013). The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate hydrobiology training. KMFRI conducts marine and fisheries research and Kenya Fisheries Service regulates fisheries in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. UoN offers MSc in Hydrobiology through its Department of Biology, School of Biological Sciences, with specialisations in Fisheries Management or Marine and Fresh Water. MMUST offers related MSc in Environmental Biology (CUE accredited 2013). The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate hydrobiology training.
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI)
Professional accreditation
KMFRI conducts marine and fisheries research in Kenya. Graduates may benefit from KMFRI research affiliation and collaboration opportunities.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Hydrobiologist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Studies aquatic organisms and ecosystems, conducting hydrobiology research, water quality assessment, and supporting aquatic ecosystem management.
Fisheries Manager
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages fisheries resources, overseeing fish stock assessment, fisheries policy, sustainable fishing, and ensuring sustainable fisheries management.
Aquatic Ecologist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Studies aquatic ecosystems, conducting ecological research, ecosystem assessment, and supporting aquatic ecosystem conservation and management.
Water Quality Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Monitors and assesses water quality, conducting water quality analysis, pollution monitoring, and ensuring water quality standards in aquatic environments.
Marine Biologist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Studies marine organisms and ecosystems, conducting marine research, marine conservation, and supporting marine ecosystem management.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches hydrobiology and aquatic sciences in universities, conducting research and training future hydrobiology professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as hydrobiologists, fisheries managers, and aquatic ecologists in fisheries departments, water authorities, research institutions, and environmental organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R Statistical Computing
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source statistical computing for hydrobiology data analysis, ecological data analysis, fisheries statistics, and research data analysis.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for hydrobiology research data analysis, water quality data analysis, and statistical modelling in aquatic science.
ArcGIS
Software
GIS software for aquatic ecosystem mapping, fisheries mapping, water quality mapping, and spatial analysis for hydrobiology projects.
Microsoft Excel
Software
Spreadsheet software for hydrobiology data analysis, water quality data management, fisheries data, and aquatic science data management.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Hydrobiology is just about studying fish.
The programme involves aquatic ecology, water quality, plankton biology, limnology, marine biology, pollution, and research, covering all aspects of aquatic science, not just fish.
Hydrobiology has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Kenya's fisheries sector, blue economy, water management, environmental monitoring, and aquatic conservation create moderate demand for qualified hydrobiology professionals.
This programme is only for biology graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from biological sciences, environmental science, fisheries, aquaculture, and related science fields.
Hydrobiology is not relevant to Kenya's development.
Kenya's blue economy, fisheries, freshwater resources, Lake Victoria, Indian Ocean, and water security make hydrobiology critical for sustainable development.
Marine and freshwater science is the same thing.
While related, marine and freshwater ecosystems have distinct characteristics, organisms, processes, and management challenges requiring different knowledge and skills.
A master's in hydrobiology is redundant after a bachelor's in biology.
The master's provides specialised aquatic science skills, research capability, and career progression to senior hydrobiology, fisheries, and aquatic research positions.