Skip to content
Nairobi · KenyaFree to read
PathrelKE
All courses
Health Sciences

Master of Science in Infectious Disease Diagnosis

The Master of Science in Infectious Disease Diagnosis is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in infectious disease diagnostics, laboratory methods, molecular diagnostics, and diagnostic technology. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in diagnostic laboratories, public health diagnostics, and infectious disease detection.

Core areas include infectious disease diagnostics, molecular diagnostics, serological methods, microbiological culture, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, point-of-care diagnostics, quality assurance, biosafety, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical diagnostic laboratory applications.

The programme is offered by Kirinyaga University, Strathmore University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, with Kenyatta University and South Eastern Kenya University as colleges. KU offers through its School of Health Sciences and City Centre Campus. JKUAT offers related MSc in Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology.

Students develop competencies in infectious disease diagnosis, molecular diagnostic methods, serological testing, culture-based diagnostics, quality assurance, laboratory management, and research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, clinical rotations, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time study mode. JKUAT requires Second Class Upper or Lower with research evidence. JKUAT fees are KES 357,000 total (~KES 178,500/year) for related infectious disease programmes. KU offers through its School of Health Sciences.

Graduates pursue careers as diagnostic microbiologists, molecular diagnosticians, laboratory managers, public health laboratory specialists, and lecturers in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, public health agencies, and universities.

Skills Required

  • Infectious Disease Diagnostics and Laboratory Methods
  • Molecular Diagnostics and Nucleic Acid Testing
  • Serological Diagnostics and Immunoassays
  • Microbiological Culture and Pathogen Identification
  • Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
  • Point-of-Care Diagnostics and Rapid Testing
  • Laboratory Quality Assurance and Biosafety
  • Diagnostic Laboratory Management
  • Epidemiological Surveillance and Diagnostic Data
  • Diagnostic Research Methods

Key Subjects

  • Infectious Disease Diagnostics
  • Molecular Diagnostics
  • Serological Methods
  • Microbiological Culture
  • Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
  • Point-of-Care Diagnostics
  • Laboratory Quality Assurance
  • Biosafety and Biosecurity
  • Diagnostic Laboratory Management
  • Diagnostic Research Methods

Certifications

  • KMLTTB Laboratory Professional Certification
  • ASLM Laboratory Certification

Specializations

Molecular Diagnostics

Focuses on molecular diagnostics, PCR, real-time PCR, nucleic acid testing, molecular typing, genomics, and applying molecular methods in infectious disease diagnosis.

Serological Diagnostics

Examines serological diagnostics, ELISA, rapid diagnostic tests, immunoassays, antibody detection, antigen detection, and applying serological methods in infectious disease diagnosis.

Microbiological Culture

Covers microbiological culture, bacterial culture, fungal culture, viral culture, pathogen isolation, identification, and applying culture methods in infectious disease diagnosis.

Point-of-Care Diagnostics

Focuses on point-of-care diagnostics, rapid diagnostic tests, field diagnostics, portable diagnostic devices, and applying point-of-care methods in resource-limited settings.

Laboratory Quality Assurance

Examines laboratory quality assurance, quality control, ISO standards, accreditation, biosafety, and ensuring quality and safety in diagnostic laboratories.

Diagnostic Laboratory Management

Covers diagnostic laboratory management, laboratory operations, staff management, equipment management, supply chain, and managing and leading diagnostic laboratories.

Duration
2 years
Public, up to
Ksh 436,000
Job market
High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Infectious Disease Diagnostics
  • Molecular Diagnostics
  • Serological Methods
  • Microbiological Culture
  • Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
  • Point-of-Care Diagnostics
  • Laboratory Quality Assurance
  • Biosafety and Biosecurity
  • Diagnostic Laboratory Management
  • Diagnostic Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Infectious Disease Diagnostics Principles

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines infectious disease diagnostics, diagnostic principles, diagnostic algorithms, test selection, diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and understanding and applying diagnostic principles.

  • Molecular Diagnostics and Nucleic Acid Testing

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers molecular diagnostics, PCR, real-time PCR, nucleic acid extraction, molecular typing, genomics, sequencing, and applying molecular methods in infectious disease diagnosis.

  • Serological Diagnostics and Immunoassays

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines serological diagnostics, ELISA, rapid diagnostic tests, immunoassays, antibody detection, antigen detection, Western blot, and applying serological methods in diagnosis.

  • Microbiological Culture and Pathogen Identification

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers microbiological culture, bacterial culture, fungal culture, viral culture, mycobacterial culture, pathogen isolation, identification, biochemical identification, and applying culture methods.

  • Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Examines antimicrobial susceptibility testing, MIC determination, disk diffusion, resistance detection, breakpoint interpretation, and testing and detecting antimicrobial resistance.

  • Point-of-Care Diagnostics and Rapid Testing

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers point-of-care diagnostics, rapid diagnostic tests, lateral flow assays, portable devices, field diagnostics, and applying point-of-care methods in resource-limited settings.

  • Laboratory Quality Assurance and Accreditation

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines laboratory quality assurance, quality control, internal quality control, external quality assessment, ISO 15189, accreditation, and ensuring quality in diagnostic laboratories.

  • Biosafety and Biosecurity in Diagnostic Laboratories

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers biosafety principles, biosafety levels, biosecurity, laboratory safety, infection control, waste management, and ensuring safety in diagnostic laboratories.

  • Diagnostic Laboratory Management

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines diagnostic laboratory management, laboratory operations, staff management, equipment management, supply chain, budgeting, and managing and leading diagnostic laboratories.

  • Diagnostic Research Methods

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers research methods for diagnostics, diagnostic accuracy studies, test evaluation, data analysis, and conducting diagnostic research, preparing students for their thesis.

  • Emerging Diagnostic Technologies

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Examines emerging diagnostic technologies, next-generation sequencing, digital PCR, biosensors, microfluidics, AI in diagnostics, and understanding and applying new diagnostic technologies.

  • Research Thesis

    Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore

    Original research thesis on an infectious disease diagnosis topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and diagnostic knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

  • Molecular Diagnostics

    Focuses on molecular diagnostics, PCR, real-time PCR, nucleic acid testing, molecular typing, genomics, and applying molecular methods in infectious disease diagnosis.

  • Serological Diagnostics

    Examines serological diagnostics, ELISA, rapid diagnostic tests, immunoassays, antibody detection, antigen detection, and applying serological methods in infectious disease diagnosis.

  • Microbiological Culture

    Covers microbiological culture, bacterial culture, fungal culture, viral culture, pathogen isolation, identification, and applying culture methods in infectious disease diagnosis.

  • Point-of-Care Diagnostics

    Focuses on point-of-care diagnostics, rapid diagnostic tests, field diagnostics, portable diagnostic devices, and applying point-of-care methods in resource-limited settings.

  • Laboratory Quality Assurance

    Examines laboratory quality assurance, quality control, ISO standards, accreditation, biosafety, and ensuring quality and safety in diagnostic laboratories.

  • Diagnostic Laboratory Management

    Covers diagnostic laboratory management, laboratory operations, staff management, equipment management, supply chain, and managing and leading diagnostic laboratories.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Infectious Disease Diagnosis programme begins with morning lectures on infectious disease diagnostics, molecular methods, or laboratory techniques. Students engage in theoretical discussions on diagnostic principles, laboratory methods, and quality assurance. Diagnostic principles sessions cover infectious disease diagnostics, diagnostic principles, diagnostic algorithms, test selection, diagnostic accuracy, and understanding and applying diagnostic principles. Molecular diagnostics sessions examine PCR, real-time PCR, nucleic acid extraction, molecular typing, genomics, sequencing, and applying molecular methods in diagnosis. Serological diagnostics sessions cover ELISA, rapid diagnostic tests, immunoassays, antibody detection, antigen detection, Western blot, and applying serological methods. Microbiological culture sessions examine bacterial culture, fungal culture, viral culture, mycobacterial culture, pathogen isolation, identification, biochemical identification, and applying culture methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility sessions cover susceptibility testing, MIC determination, disk diffusion, resistance detection, and testing and detecting antimicrobial resistance. Point-of-care diagnostics sessions examine rapid diagnostic tests, lateral flow assays, portable devices, field diagnostics, and applying point-of-care methods in resource-limited settings. Quality assurance sessions cover laboratory quality assurance, quality control, internal quality control, external quality assessment, ISO 15189, accreditation, and ensuring quality in diagnostic laboratories. Biosafety sessions examine biosafety principles, biosafety levels, biosecurity, laboratory safety, infection control, and ensuring safety in diagnostic laboratories. Laboratory management sessions cover laboratory operations, staff management, equipment management, supply chain, budgeting, and managing and leading diagnostic laboratories. Clinical rotations provide hands-on experience in hospital laboratories, public health laboratories, and reference laboratories, working with real patient samples and diagnostic methods. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering diagnostic research methods, diagnostic accuracy studies, and data analysis. Guest lectures from KEMRI researchers, KMLTTB officials, NPHLS directors, ASLM experts, and diagnostic industry leaders provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

  • Kenya's disease burden, emerging infections, antimicrobial resistance, and need for accurate diagnosis create high demand for qualified infectious disease diagnostic professionals.
  • Programme covers comprehensive diagnostic areas including molecular, serological, culture, point-of-care, quality assurance, and laboratory management.
  • KEMRI, NPHLS, KMLTTB, and ASLM provide research, career, and professional development opportunities for diagnostic graduates.
  • Post-COVID-19, demand for diagnostic expertise has increased globally, enhancing career prospects in diagnostics.

Against it

  • Programme requires microbiology, biomedical, medical laboratory, or related science background, which may exclude some graduates.
  • Laboratory work requires access to biosafety facilities, diagnostic equipment, and molecular diagnostics platforms, which may vary across institutions.
  • Programme involves rigorous technical content including molecular biology, immunology, and quality management systems, which may be challenging for some students.
  • Clinical rotations and laboratory practicals require significant time commitment and may involve exposure to infectious materials.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses
Public179k to 436k
179k at JKUAT436k 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 MSc TID 436K/yr; JKUAT Infectious Disease & Vaccinology 178.5K/yr. Private unverified. Src: UoN, kenyaeducationguide

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KEMRI supports infectious disease research and diagnostics. ASLM supports laboratory medicine capacity building in Africa. Africa CDC supports laboratory systems strengthening. The programme's diagnostic focus attracts research and international organisation funding.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • KEMRI Research Funding

  • ASLM Laboratory Capacity Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate infectious disease diagnosis studies at recognised universities.

  • KEMRI Research Funding

    GrantKsh 400,000Kenyan

    KEMRI provides research funding for medical and infectious disease research, supporting postgraduate research in diagnostics.

  • ASLM Laboratory Capacity Funding

    GrantKsh 400,000

    ASLM supports laboratory medicine capacity building in Africa, providing funding for training and research in laboratory diagnostics.

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 medical laboratory sciences, microbiology, biomedical sciences, biochemistry, public health, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and related fields. Two-year full-time programme. JKUAT requires Second Class Upper or Lower with research evidence. JKUAT fees KES 357,000 total for related infectious disease programmes. KU offers through School of Health Sciences and City Centre Campus.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Coursework and Assignments

    Coursework30% of the mark

    Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, case studies, diagnostic analysis projects, and class participation.

  • Written Examinations

    Examination30% of the mark

    End of semester examinations covering infectious disease diagnostics, molecular methods, serology, and quality assurance, as per university programme structure.

  • Laboratory and Clinical Assessment

    Practical40% of the mark

    Assessment of laboratory work, clinical rotations, diagnostic testing, pathogen identification, quality control, and practical laboratory reports.

  • Research Thesis

    Research100% of the mark

    Original research thesis on an infectious disease diagnosis topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and diagnostic knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). KU offers infectious disease diagnosis programmes through its School of Health Sciences. JKUAT offers related MSc in Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate infectious disease diagnosis training. KMLTTB regulates medical laboratory professionals and NPHLS provides public health laboratory services in Kenya.

Accredited by

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    Academic accreditationRequired

    Programme accredited by CUE. KU offers infectious disease diagnosis programmes through its School of Health Sciences. JKUAT offers related MSc in Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate infectious disease diagnosis training.

  • Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB)

    Professional accreditation

    KMLTTB regulates medical laboratory professionals in Kenya. Graduates working in diagnostic laboratories may require KMLTTB registration and professional certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

  • Diagnostic Microbiologist

    High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Performs infectious disease diagnostics, overseeing pathogen identification, culture, susceptibility testing, and ensuring accurate laboratory diagnosis.

  • Molecular Diagnostician

    High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000

    Performs molecular diagnostics, overseeing PCR, nucleic acid testing, molecular typing, and applying molecular methods in infectious disease diagnosis.

  • Laboratory Manager

    High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000

    Manages diagnostic laboratories, overseeing laboratory operations, quality assurance, staff, equipment, and ensuring efficient and quality laboratory services.

  • Public Health Laboratory Specialist

    High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Provides public health laboratory services, overseeing disease surveillance, outbreak diagnostics, reference laboratory services, and supporting public health response.

  • Quality Assurance Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Manages quality assurance in diagnostic laboratories, overseeing quality control, accreditation, ISO compliance, and ensuring diagnostic quality.

  • University Lecturer

    High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Teaches infectious disease diagnostics and laboratory medicine in universities, conducting research and training future diagnostic professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as diagnostic microbiologists, molecular diagnosticians, and laboratory managers in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and public health agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • SPSS

    SoftwarePrimary

    Statistical software for diagnostic research data analysis, diagnostic accuracy analysis, and statistical modelling in diagnostic studies.

  • R Statistical Computing

    SoftwarePrimary

    Open-source statistical computing for diagnostic data analysis, sensitivity and specificity analysis, and research data analysis.

  • Bioinformatics Tools

    Software

    Bioinformatics tools for pathogen genomics, sequence analysis, molecular typing, and genomic analysis of diagnostic pathogens.

  • LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System)

    Software

    Laboratory information management software for diagnostic laboratory data management, sample tracking, result reporting, and laboratory workflow management.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

  • Infectious disease diagnosis is just about running lab tests.

    The programme involves molecular diagnostics, serological methods, quality assurance, biosafety, laboratory management, and research, covering all aspects of infectious disease diagnostics.

  • This programme is only for medical laboratory scientists.

    The programme accepts graduates from microbiology, biomedical sciences, biochemistry, public health, medical laboratory sciences, and related science fields.

  • There is limited demand for diagnostic professionals in Kenya.

    Kenya's disease burden, emerging infections, antimicrobial resistance, and need for accurate diagnosis create high demand for qualified infectious disease diagnostic professionals.

  • Diagnostic laboratory work is routine and boring.

    Infectious disease diagnostics involves cutting-edge molecular methods, emerging pathogens, new diagnostic technologies, and research, making it a dynamic and evolving field.

  • Point-of-care diagnostics is not important in Kenya.

    Point-of-care diagnostics is critical in Kenya's resource-limited settings, rural areas, and remote health facilities, making it a key component of the programme.

  • A master's in diagnostics is redundant after a bachelor's in medical laboratory sciences.

    The master's provides specialised diagnostic skills, molecular diagnostics expertise, research capability, and career progression to senior diagnostic and laboratory management positions.

Related courses

Further reading

Keep this

Fees and entry marks for Master of Science in Infectious Disease Diagnosis are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.

Save
Read next