Agriculture

Master of Science in Marine Biology and Fisheries

The Master of Science in Marine Biology and Fisheries is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in marine biology, fisheries science, and marine conservation. The programme combines marine biology theory with practical fisheries and marine ecosystem management application.

Core areas include marine biology, marine ecology, oceanography, fisheries management, marine biodiversity conservation, marine and freshwater biology, aquaculture, coral reef ecology, marine pollution, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both marine biology theory and practical laboratory and field work through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through the Department of Biology as MSc in Hydrobiology with options in Marine and Fresh Water Biology and Marine Biodiversity Conservation and Fisheries Management, Kenyatta University as MSc in Aquatic Ecology, and Pwani University which offers marine biology programmes. All are public universities offering programmes over two academic years through full-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in marine biology, marine ecology, oceanography, fisheries management, marine biodiversity conservation, marine and freshwater biology, aquaculture, and coral reef ecology. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, field courses at the coast, and a supervised research thesis.

UoN charges approximately KES 365,500/year (KES 731,000 total) for hydrobiology and marine biology programmes. KU charges approximately KES 295,800/year for aquatic ecology. Pwani University charges approximately KES 200,000/year for marine science programmes. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in biological sciences, zoology, botany, marine biology, or related science fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as marine biologists, fisheries scientists, marine conservationists, oceanographers, aquatic ecologists, and lecturers in marine biology across research institutions, government agencies, marine parks, NGOs, and universities.

Skills Required

Marine Biology and Marine Ecosystem Analysis
Marine Ecology and Coral Reef Assessment
Oceanography and Marine Water Quality Analysis
Fisheries Management and Stock Assessment
Marine Biodiversity Conservation and Monitoring
Marine and Freshwater Biology
Aquaculture and Mariculture Techniques
Marine Pollution Assessment and Environmental Impact
Research Methods in Marine Science
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Marine Biology and Marine Ecosystem Analysis
Marine Ecology and Coral Reef Assessment
Oceanography and Marine Water Quality Analysis
Fisheries Management and Stock Assessment
Marine Biodiversity Conservation and Monitoring
Marine and Freshwater Biology
Aquaculture and Mariculture Techniques
Marine Pollution Assessment and Environmental Impact
Research Methods in Marine Science
Thesis Research

Certifications

KMFRI Research Certification
WIOMSA Professional Membership

Specializations

Marine and Freshwater Biology

Focuses on marine and freshwater biology, covering marine organisms, freshwater organisms, aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity, and managing aquatic biology.

Fisheries Management

Examines fisheries management, covering stock assessment, fishing regulations, sustainable harvesting, policy, and managing fisheries.

Marine Biodiversity Conservation

Covers marine biodiversity conservation, covering marine protected areas, endangered species, habitat protection, and managing marine conservation.

Coral Reef Ecology

Focuses on coral reef ecology, covering reef ecosystems, coral biology, reef monitoring, reef degradation, and managing coral reefs.

Marine Pollution

Examines marine pollution, covering pollution sources, monitoring, impact assessment, marine debris, and managing marine pollution.

Aquaculture and Mariculture

Covers aquaculture and mariculture, covering marine aquaculture, hatchery management, mariculture systems, and managing marine aquaculture.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 365,500
Private, up to: Ksh 195,000
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

Marine Biology and Marine Ecosystem Analysis
Marine Ecology and Coral Reef Assessment
Oceanography and Marine Water Quality Analysis
Fisheries Management and Stock Assessment
Marine Biodiversity Conservation and Monitoring
Marine and Freshwater Biology
Aquaculture and Mariculture Techniques
Marine Pollution Assessment and Environmental Impact
Research Methods in Marine Science
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Marine Biology and Marine Ecosystem Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines marine organisms, taxonomy, physiology, adaptation, distribution, and managing marine biology.
Marine Ecology and Coral Reef Assessment
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers marine ecosystems, food webs, productivity, biodiversity, coral reefs, and managing marine ecology.
Research Methods in Marine Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, marine field methods, and conducting marine research, preparing students for their thesis.
Oceanography and Marine Water Quality
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines ocean dynamics, currents, marine chemistry, marine physics, coastal processes, and managing ocean systems.
Fisheries Management and Stock Assessment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers stock assessment, fishing regulations, sustainable harvesting, policy, and managing fisheries.
Marine Biodiversity Conservation and Monitoring
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines marine protected areas, endangered species, habitat protection, conservation planning, and managing marine conservation.
Marine and Freshwater Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers aquatic organisms, freshwater ecosystems, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and managing aquatic biology.
Marine Pollution and Environmental Impact
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines pollution sources, monitoring, impact assessment, marine debris, oil spills, and managing marine pollution.
Coral Reef Ecology and Monitoring
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers reef ecosystems, coral biology, reef monitoring, degradation, restoration, and managing coral reefs.
Aquaculture and Mariculture Techniques
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines marine aquaculture, hatchery management, mariculture systems, fish farming, and managing marine aquaculture.
Coastal Zone Management and Marine Policy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers coastal management, integrated coastal zone management, marine policy, law of the sea, and managing coastal zones.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a marine biology and fisheries topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and marine science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Marine and Freshwater Biology
Focuses on marine and freshwater biology, covering marine organisms, freshwater organisms, aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity, and managing aquatic biology.
Fisheries Management
Examines fisheries management, covering stock assessment, fishing regulations, sustainable harvesting, policy, and managing fisheries.
Marine Biodiversity Conservation
Covers marine biodiversity conservation, covering marine protected areas, endangered species, habitat protection, and managing marine conservation.
Coral Reef Ecology
Focuses on coral reef ecology, covering reef ecosystems, coral biology, reef monitoring, reef degradation, and managing coral reefs.
Marine Pollution
Examines marine pollution, covering pollution sources, monitoring, impact assessment, marine debris, and managing marine pollution.
Aquaculture and Mariculture
Covers aquaculture and mariculture, covering marine aquaculture, hatchery management, mariculture systems, and managing marine aquaculture.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Marine Biology and Fisheries programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, field courses at the coast, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover marine biology, marine ecology, oceanography, fisheries management, and marine conservation. Marine biology sessions examine marine organisms, taxonomy, physiology, adaptation, distribution, and managing marine biology. Marine ecology sessions cover marine ecosystems, food webs, productivity, biodiversity, and managing marine ecology. Oceanography sessions cover ocean dynamics, currents, marine chemistry, marine physics, coastal processes, and managing ocean systems. Fisheries management sessions cover stock assessment, fishing regulations, sustainable harvesting, policy, and managing fisheries. Marine biodiversity conservation sessions cover marine protected areas, endangered species, habitat protection, conservation planning, and managing marine conservation. Coral reef ecology sessions cover reef ecosystems, coral biology, reef monitoring, reef degradation, restoration, and managing coral reefs. Marine and freshwater biology sessions cover aquatic organisms, freshwater ecosystems, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and managing aquatic biology. Aquaculture sessions cover marine aquaculture, hatchery management, mariculture, fish farming, and managing marine aquaculture. Marine pollution sessions cover pollution sources, monitoring, impact assessment, marine debris, oil spills, and managing marine pollution. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with marine specimen identification, water quality analysis, plankton identification, and marine microbiology. Field courses at the Kenyan coast provide real-world exposure to coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and marine parks. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with marine sampling, reef monitoring, fisheries assessment, and marine survey techniques. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in marine biology. Guest lectures from experienced marine biologists, KMFRI researchers, and conservationists provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a marine biology and fisheries topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand for marine biology professionals with Kenya's blue economy strategy, marine conservation, fisheries management, and coastal development.
Programme offered by three public universities (UoN, KU, Pwani), with Pwani's coastal location providing unique field advantage.
UoN offers AU-IBAR scholarship opportunities specifically for marine and freshwater biology students.
Graduates are eligible for KMFRI research certification and WIOMSA professional membership, enhancing regional career prospects.

Against it

UoN fees at approximately KES 365,500/year (KES 731,000 total) may be challenging for some students.
KU and Pwani specific marine biology fees not independently verified.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Programme requires biological sciences, zoology, botany, or related background, which limits 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 303 agriculture courses

Public155k to 366k

155k at Pwani University366k at University of Nairobi

Private119k to 195k

119k at Mount Kenya University195k at Kabarak 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

UoN 365.5K/yr (SBS), Pwani 155K/yr verified. MKU, Kabarak unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KMFRI and marine research organisations may provide research support. WIOMSA offers fellowships for marine science professionals. AU-IBAR and UoN offer scholarship opportunities for marine and freshwater biology students. Some NGOs and international organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KMFRI Research Support
WIOMSA Fellowships

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
AU-IBAR UoN Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 400,000Kenyan
AU-IBAR and UoN offer scholarship opportunities for MSc in Fresh Water and Marine Biology, covering tuition and research expenses.
WIOMSA Fellowships
FellowshipKsh 300,000Kenyan
WIOMSA offers fellowships for marine science professionals in the Western Indian Ocean region.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Most universities require Upper Second Class Honours in biological sciences, zoology, botany, marine biology, or related science fields. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience are considered. Pass degree holders with a relevant postgraduate diploma may also be considered. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, field course reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering marine biology, marine ecology, oceanography, fisheries management, and marine conservation.
Laboratory and Field Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, field courses, marine sampling, reef monitoring, and demonstrating marine science skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a marine biology and fisheries topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and marine science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and Pwani University (all public) offer MSc in Hydrobiology with marine options, Aquatic Ecology, or marine biology programmes. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in marine biology and fisheries. Graduates are eligible for KMFRI research certification and WIOMSA professional membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and Pwani University (all public) offer MSc in Hydrobiology with marine options, Aquatic Ecology, or marine biology programmes. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in marine biology and fisheries. Graduates are eligible for KMFRI research certification and WIOMSA professional membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Marine Biologist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts marine biology research, overseeing marine organisms, ecosystems, monitoring, and managing marine research.
Fisheries Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts fisheries science, overseeing stock assessment, research, management, and managing fisheries science.
Marine Conservationist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages marine conservation, overseeing protected areas, species protection, habitat restoration, and managing marine conservation.
Aquatic Ecologist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Studies aquatic ecosystems, overseeing ecology, monitoring, assessment, and managing aquatic ecology.
Oceanographer
Low demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Studies ocean systems, overseeing ocean dynamics, monitoring, modelling, and managing oceanographic research.
Marine Science Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches marine science at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R
SoftwarePrimary
R for statistical analysis, covering stock assessment, ecological modelling, marine data, and managing fisheries research.
ArcGIS
Software
ArcGIS for marine spatial analysis, covering marine mapping, habitat mapping, MPA planning, and managing spatial data.
Ecopath
Software
Ecopath for ecosystem modelling, covering food web modelling, trophic interactions, and managing marine ecosystem models.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering marine survey data, ecological data, research data, and managing statistical analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Marine biology is just about studying fish.
Marine biology covers comprehensive marine organisms, ecosystems, ecology, oceanography, conservation, and pollution beyond just fish.
This programme is only for those who want to work at the beach.
Marine biology skills are valuable for researchers, policy makers, conservationists, aquaculture professionals, educators, and consultants beyond just beach work.
Marine biology has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With Kenya's blue economy strategy, marine conservation, fisheries management, coastal development, and marine research, demand for marine biology professionals is growing in Kenya.
Fisheries management is just about catching fish sustainably.
Fisheries management covers comprehensive stock assessment, policy, regulations, economics, ecosystem approaches, and community management.
Coral reef ecology is just about studying corals.
Coral reef ecology covers comprehensive reef ecosystems, biodiversity, monitoring, degradation, restoration, and reef fisheries.
Marine pollution is just about plastic in the ocean.
Marine pollution covers comprehensive chemical pollution, oil spills, nutrient loading, marine debris, noise, and thermal pollution.