Health Sciences

Master of Science in Medical Ethnobotany

The Master of Science in Medical Ethnobotany is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in ethnobotany, medicinal plants, traditional medicine, and plant-based drug discovery. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in medicinal plant research, traditional medicine development, pharmacognosy, and conservation of medicinal plants.

Core areas include ethnobotany, medicinal plant science, traditional medicine, pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, plant taxonomy, conservation of medicinal plants, ethnopharmacology, drug discovery from plants, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical medical ethnobotany applications.

The programme is offered by Kirinyaga University, Strathmore University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, with Kisii University as a college. Kenyatta University offers related MSc in Ethnobotany through its School of Pure and Applied Sciences. University of Eldoret offers related ethnobotany programmes. MMUST offers related medical science programmes.

Students develop competencies in ethnobotanical survey, medicinal plant identification, phytochemical analysis, pharmacological evaluation, conservation, and research. The programme includes coursework, field work, laboratory practicals, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. Kenyatta University related MSc Ethnobotany duration is 18 months with admission fees KES 2,000 for East Africans. MMUST medical courses fees are KES 65,000 per trimester. Entry requires Bachelor's degree in botany, biology, pharmacy, or related fields with Upper Second or Lower with experience.

Graduates pursue careers as ethnobotanists, medicinal plant researchers, pharmacognosists, conservation officers, and lecturers in research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory bodies, and universities.

Skills Required

Ethnobotany and Medicinal Plant Identification
Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry
Traditional Medicine and Indigenous Knowledge
Plant Taxonomy and Systematics
Medicinal Plant Conservation and Sustainable Use
Ethnopharmacology and Bioactivity Testing
Plant-Based Drug Discovery and Development
Ethnobotanical Survey and Documentation
Medicinal Plant Cultivation and Propagation
Medical Ethnobotany Research Methods

Key Subjects

Ethnobotany
Medicinal Plant Science
Pharmacognosy
Phytochemistry
Traditional Medicine
Plant Taxonomy
Medicinal Plant Conservation
Ethnopharmacology
Plant-Based Drug Discovery
Medical Ethnobotany Research Methods

Certifications

PPB Herbal Medicine Certification
ISE Ethnopharmacology Certification

Specializations

Ethnobotany

Focuses on ethnobotany, indigenous knowledge, plant-people relationships, ethnobotanical survey, traditional plant use, and documenting and understanding medicinal plant use.

Pharmacognosy

Examines pharmacognosy, medicinal plant chemistry, phytochemistry, bioactive compounds, drug discovery from plants, and understanding medicinal plant pharmacology.

Traditional Medicine

Covers traditional medicine, indigenous healing practices, herbal medicine, traditional knowledge systems, and understanding and integrating traditional medicine.

Medicinal Plant Conservation

Focuses on conservation of medicinal plants, sustainable harvesting, ex-situ conservation, in-situ conservation, threatened species, and conserving medicinal plant resources.

Phytochemistry

Examines phytochemistry, plant secondary metabolites, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, extraction, isolation, characterisation, and analysing medicinal plant compounds.

Ethnopharmacology

Covers ethnopharmacology, bioactivity testing, pharmacological evaluation, toxicity studies, clinical evaluation, and evaluating medicinal plant bioactivity and safety.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 248,000
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

Ethnobotany
Medicinal Plant Science
Pharmacognosy
Phytochemistry
Traditional Medicine
Plant Taxonomy
Medicinal Plant Conservation
Ethnopharmacology
Plant-Based Drug Discovery
Medical Ethnobotany Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Ethnobotany and Indigenous Knowledge
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines ethnobotanical principles, indigenous knowledge, plant-people relationships, ethnobotanical survey methods, traditional plant use, and documenting and understanding medicinal plant use.
Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plant Chemistry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers medicinal plant chemistry, phytochemistry, bioactive compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, and understanding medicinal plant pharmacology.
Traditional Medicine Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines indigenous healing practices, herbal medicine, traditional knowledge systems, traditional healers, traditional medicine regulation, and understanding and integrating traditional medicine.
Plant Taxonomy and Medicinal Plant Identification
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers plant identification, classification, systematics, herbarium techniques, medicinal plant families, botanical nomenclature, and identifying and classifying medicinal plants.
Phytochemistry and Plant Secondary Metabolites
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines plant secondary metabolites, extraction methods, isolation, chromatography, spectroscopy, characterisation, and analysing medicinal plant compounds.
Ethnopharmacology and Bioactivity Testing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers bioactivity testing, pharmacological evaluation, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, toxicity studies, clinical evaluation, and evaluating medicinal plant bioactivity and safety.
Medicinal Plant Conservation and Sustainable Use
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines conservation of medicinal plants, sustainable harvesting, ex-situ conservation, in-situ conservation, threatened species, and conserving medicinal plant resources.
Plant-Based Drug Discovery and Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers plant-based drug discovery, lead compounds, drug development, standardisation, quality control, clinical trials, and discovering and developing drugs from medicinal plants.
Medicinal Plant Cultivation and Propagation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines medicinal plant cultivation, propagation, agronomy, harvesting, post-harvest handling, good agricultural practices, and cultivating and propagating medicinal plants.
Medical Ethnobotany Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for medical ethnobotany, ethnobotanical survey methods, ethnopharmacology methods, data analysis, and conducting medical ethnobotany research, preparing students for their thesis.
Herbal Medicine Regulation and Quality Control
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines herbal medicine regulation, PPB guidelines, quality control, standardisation, safety evaluation, GMP, and regulating and ensuring quality of herbal medicines.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a medical ethnobotany topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and medical ethnobotany knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Ethnobotany
Focuses on ethnobotany, indigenous knowledge, plant-people relationships, ethnobotanical survey, traditional plant use, and documenting and understanding medicinal plant use.
Pharmacognosy
Examines pharmacognosy, medicinal plant chemistry, phytochemistry, bioactive compounds, drug discovery from plants, and understanding medicinal plant pharmacology.
Traditional Medicine
Covers traditional medicine, indigenous healing practices, herbal medicine, traditional knowledge systems, and understanding and integrating traditional medicine.
Medicinal Plant Conservation
Focuses on conservation of medicinal plants, sustainable harvesting, ex-situ conservation, in-situ conservation, threatened species, and conserving medicinal plant resources.
Phytochemistry
Examines phytochemistry, plant secondary metabolites, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, extraction, isolation, characterisation, and analysing medicinal plant compounds.
Ethnopharmacology
Covers ethnopharmacology, bioactivity testing, pharmacological evaluation, toxicity studies, clinical evaluation, and evaluating medicinal plant bioactivity and safety.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Medical Ethnobotany programme begins with morning lectures on ethnobotany, medicinal plant science, or pharmacognosy. Students engage in theoretical discussions on plant-people relationships, traditional medicine, and drug discovery. Ethnobotany sessions cover ethnobotanical principles, indigenous knowledge, plant-people relationships, ethnobotanical survey methods, traditional plant use, and documenting and understanding medicinal plant use. Pharmacognosy sessions examine medicinal plant chemistry, phytochemistry, bioactive compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, and understanding medicinal plant pharmacology. Traditional medicine sessions cover indigenous healing practices, herbal medicine, traditional knowledge systems, traditional healers, and understanding and integrating traditional medicine. Plant taxonomy sessions examine plant identification, classification, systematics, herbarium techniques, medicinal plant families, and identifying and classifying medicinal plants. Phytochemistry sessions cover plant secondary metabolites, extraction methods, isolation, chromatography, spectroscopy, characterisation, and analysing medicinal plant compounds. Ethnopharmacology sessions examine bioactivity testing, pharmacological evaluation, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, toxicity studies, clinical evaluation, and evaluating medicinal plant bioactivity and safety. Conservation sessions cover conservation of medicinal plants, sustainable harvesting, ex-situ conservation, in-situ conservation, threatened species, and conserving medicinal plant resources. Drug discovery sessions examine plant-based drug discovery, lead compounds, drug development, standardisation, quality control, and discovering drugs from medicinal plants. Field work provides hands-on experience in ethnobotanical survey, plant collection, herbarium specimen preparation, and community interviews. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with phytochemical extraction, chromatography, bioactivity testing, and plant analysis. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering ethnobotany research methods, ethnopharmacology methods, and data analysis. Guest lectures from KEMRI researchers, KEFRI scientists, PPB officials, traditional medicine practitioners, and ethnopharmacology experts provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's rich biodiversity, traditional medicine heritage, pharmaceutical industry growth, and conservation needs create moderate demand for qualified medical ethnobotany professionals.
Programme combines botany with pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, and drug discovery, providing versatile skills for both research and industry career paths.
Career opportunities with KEMRI, KEFRI, KWS, PPB, pharmaceutical companies, herbal medicine companies, and international organisations like WHO and ISE.
Programme covers unique and specialised field with growing global interest in traditional medicine and natural products.

Against it

Job market demand is moderate, with fewer dedicated medical ethnobotany positions compared to mainstream sciences.
Programme requires botany, biology, pharmacy, chemistry, or related background, which may exclude some graduates.
Field work requires travel to remote areas for ethnobotanical surveys and plant collection, which may be logistically challenging.
Laboratory work requires access to phytochemistry, chromatography, and bioactivity testing facilities, 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 349 health sciences courses

Public248k to 248k

248k at JKUAT248k at JKUAT

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

JKUAT MSc Medicinal Phytochemistry 248K/yr (closest match). Kirinyaga/MMUST unverified. Src: kenyaeducationguide

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KEMRI supports medical research including traditional medicine. KEFRI supports forestry and medicinal plant research. WHO supports traditional medicine capacity building. ISE supports ethnopharmacology professional development. The programme's medical ethnobotany focus attracts research and international organisation funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KEMRI Research Funding
KEFRI Research Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate medical ethnobotany studies at recognised universities.
KEMRI Research Funding
GrantKsh 300,000Kenyan
KEMRI supports medical research including traditional medicine and medicinal plants, providing funding for postgraduate research.
KEFRI Research Funding
GrantKsh 300,000Kenyan
KEFRI supports forestry research including medicinal plants, providing funding for research in medicinal plant conservation and use.

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 botany, biology, pharmacy, chemistry, agriculture, forestry, ethnobotany, environmental science, and related fields. Kenyatta University requires BSc or BEd with at least Upper Second and Ethnobotany or relevant discipline to degree level. Lower Division considered with proven research ability or 2 years experience. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time modes.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case studies, ethnobotanical analysis projects, phytochemical reports, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering ethnobotany, pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, and ethnopharmacology, conducted at end of each semester.
Field and Laboratory Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of field work, ethnobotanical surveys, laboratory work, phytochemical analysis, bioactivity testing, herbarium specimens, and practical reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a medical ethnobotany topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and medical ethnobotany knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University offers related MSc in Ethnobotany through its School of Pure and Applied Sciences. University of Eldoret offers related ethnobotany programmes. MMUST offers related medical science programmes. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate medical ethnobotany training. PPB regulates herbal medicine and KEMRI conducts medicinal plant research in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University offers related MSc in Ethnobotany through its School of Pure and Applied Sciences. University of Eldoret offers related ethnobotany programmes. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate medical ethnobotany training.
Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB)
Professional accreditation
PPB regulates pharmacy and herbal medicines in Kenya. Graduates working with herbal medicines may benefit from PPB knowledge and regulatory compliance.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Ethnobotanist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts ethnobotanical research, overseeing plant surveys, documentation, indigenous knowledge, and supporting medicinal plant research and conservation.
Medicinal Plant Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Researches medicinal plants, overseeing phytochemical analysis, bioactivity testing, drug discovery, and supporting medicinal plant research and development.
Pharmacognosist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Applies pharmacognosy in pharmaceutical industry, overseeing herbal medicine development, quality control, standardisation, and supporting natural product development.
Conservation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages medicinal plant conservation, overseeing conservation programmes, sustainable harvesting, habitat protection, and supporting plant conservation.
Herbal Medicine Quality Officer
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages quality of herbal medicines, overseeing quality control, testing, standardisation, regulatory compliance, and ensuring herbal medicine quality.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches medical ethnobotany and pharmacognosy in universities, conducting research and training future ethnobotany professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as ethnobotanists, medicinal plant researchers, and pharmacognosists in research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and regulatory bodies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for ethnobotany research data analysis, survey data analysis, bioactivity data, and statistical modelling in medical ethnobotany research.
ChemDraw
SoftwarePrimary
Chemical drawing software for phytochemistry, chemical structure drawing, compound identification, and documenting medicinal plant compounds.
R Statistical Computing
Software
Open-source statistical computing for ethnobotanical data analysis, diversity analysis, ecological modelling, and research data analysis.
Microsoft Excel
Software
Spreadsheet software for ethnobotanical data management, phytochemical data, survey data, and research data management.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Medical ethnobotany is just about traditional herbs.
The programme involves pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, drug discovery, conservation, and research, covering comprehensive medical ethnobotany science.
This programme is only for botany graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from botany, biology, pharmacy, chemistry, agriculture, forestry, and related fields.
There is limited demand for medical ethnobotany professionals in Kenya.
Kenya's rich biodiversity, traditional medicine heritage, pharmaceutical industry growth, and conservation needs create moderate demand for qualified medical ethnobotany professionals.
Medical ethnobotany is not scientific.
The programme applies rigorous scientific methods including phytochemical analysis, pharmacological evaluation, clinical research, and evidence-based drug discovery.
Traditional medicine is not relevant to modern healthcare.
WHO recognises traditional medicine as important for healthcare, and many modern drugs originate from plants, making medical ethnobotany highly relevant.
A master's in medical ethnobotany is redundant after a bachelor's in botany.
The master's provides specialised medical ethnobotany skills, pharmacognosy knowledge, research capability, and career progression to senior research positions.