Health Sciences

Master of Science in Medical Mycology

The Master of Science in Medical Mycology is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in medical mycology, fungal diagnostics, fungal pathogenesis, and antifungal therapy. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in fungal diagnostics, clinical mycology, fungal research, and laboratory management.

Core areas include medical mycology, fungal taxonomy, fungal diagnostics, antifungal therapy, fungal pathogenesis, mycological culture, molecular mycology, antifungal resistance, clinical mycology, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical medical mycology applications.

The programme is offered by Zetech University, Great Lakes University of Kisumu, and University of Kabianga, with JKUAT as a college. JKUAT offers MSc Medical Mycology at KES 496,000 total through its College of Health Sciences. JKUAT also offers related MSc Medical Microbiology at KES 357,000 and MSc Medical Mycobacteriology at KES 496,000. Great Lakes offers MSc programmes at KES 60,000 per semester.

Students develop competencies in fungal identification, culture, antifungal susceptibility testing, molecular diagnostics, clinical mycology, and research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, clinical rotations, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. JKUAT MSc Medical Mycology total fees are KES 496,000. Great Lakes MSc fees are KES 60,000 per semester for 4 semesters. JKUAT also offers Masters in Medical Lab Sciences with Clinical and Public Health Mycology specialisation at KES 393,000. Entry requires Bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science, microbiology, or related fields with Upper Second or Lower with research ability.

Graduates pursue careers as medical mycologists, fungal diagnostic specialists, clinical laboratory managers, research scientists, and lecturers in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, research institutions, and universities.

Skills Required

Medical Mycology and Fungal Identification
Fungal Culture and Isolation Techniques
Antifungal Susceptibility Testing
Molecular Diagnostics for Fungal Infections
Fungal Pathogenesis and Immunology
Clinical Mycology and Case Management
Antifungal Therapy and Drug Resistance
Fungal Taxonomy and Systematics
Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance
Medical Mycology Research Methods

Key Subjects

Medical Mycology
Fungal Diagnostics
Fungal Culture and Identification
Antifungal Therapy and Resistance
Fungal Pathogenesis
Clinical Mycology
Molecular Mycology
Fungal Taxonomy
Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance
Medical Mycology Research Methods

Certifications

KMLTTB Laboratory Certification
ISHAM Mycology Certification

Specializations

Fungal Diagnostics

Focuses on fungal diagnostics, direct examination, fungal culture, identification, MALDI-TOF, molecular identification, and diagnosing fungal infections.

Clinical Mycology

Examines clinical mycology, fungal infections, candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, dermatophytosis, opportunistic mycoses, and managing fungal infections.

Antifungal Therapy and Resistance

Covers antifungal drugs, azoles, polyenes, echinocandins, antifungal susceptibility testing, resistance mechanisms, and managing antifungal therapy and resistance.

Fungal Pathogenesis

Focuses on fungal pathogenesis, virulence factors, host-fungus interactions, immune response, fungal biology, and understanding fungal disease mechanisms.

Molecular Mycology

Examines molecular mycology, fungal genetics, PCR, sequencing, typing, molecular identification, phylogenetics, and applying molecular methods in mycology.

Fungal Taxonomy

Covers fungal taxonomy, classification, systematics, nomenclature, fungal diversity, yeast taxonomy, mould taxonomy, and classifying and identifying fungi.

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

Medical Mycology
Fungal Diagnostics
Fungal Culture and Identification
Antifungal Therapy and Resistance
Fungal Pathogenesis
Clinical Mycology
Molecular Mycology
Fungal Taxonomy
Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance
Medical Mycology Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Medical Mycology and Fungal Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines fungal biology, fungal structure, fungal growth, fungal reproduction, fungal taxonomy, fungal genetics, and understanding fungi and fungal biology.
Fungal Diagnostics and Laboratory Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers direct examination, KOH mount, calcofluor white, fungal culture, Sabouraud dextrose agar, chromogenic media, identification, MALDI-TOF, and diagnosing fungal infections.
Fungal Culture and Identification
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines fungal culture media, SDA, chromogenic media, cycloheximide, incubation, contamination control, yeast identification, mould identification, and culturing and identifying fungi.
Antifungal Therapy and Drug Resistance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers antifungal drugs, azoles, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, polyenes, amphotericin B, echinocandins, susceptibility testing, resistance mechanisms, and managing antifungal therapy and resistance.
Fungal Pathogenesis and Immunology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines virulence factors, adhesion, invasion, dimorphism, toxin production, host-fungus interactions, immune response, and understanding fungal disease mechanisms.
Clinical Mycology and Case Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, dermatophytosis, mucormycosis, opportunistic mycoses, endemic mycoses, diagnosis, treatment, and managing fungal infections.
Molecular Mycology and Diagnostics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines PCR, real-time PCR, sequencing, MALDI-TOF, molecular identification, typing, phylogenetics, whole genome sequencing, and applying molecular methods in mycology.
Fungal Taxonomy and Systematics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers fungal taxonomy, classification, systematics, nomenclature, fungal diversity, yeast taxonomy, mould taxonomy, dimorphic fungi, and classifying and identifying fungi.
Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines laboratory management, biosafety, quality control, proficiency testing, ISO 15189, laboratory accreditation, SOPs, and ensuring quality in mycology laboratories.
Medical Mycology Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for medical mycology, laboratory methods, diagnostic evaluation, clinical research, data analysis, and conducting mycology research, preparing students for their thesis.
Opportunistic Fungal Infections in HIV/AIDS
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines opportunistic fungal infections in HIV/AIDS, cryptococcal meningitis, oral candidiasis, oesophageal candidiasis, aspergillosis, and managing fungal infections in immunocompromised patients.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a medical mycology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and medical mycology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Fungal Diagnostics
Focuses on fungal diagnostics, direct examination, fungal culture, identification, MALDI-TOF, molecular identification, and diagnosing fungal infections.
Clinical Mycology
Examines clinical mycology, fungal infections, candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, dermatophytosis, opportunistic mycoses, and managing fungal infections.
Antifungal Therapy and Resistance
Covers antifungal drugs, azoles, polyenes, echinocandins, antifungal susceptibility testing, resistance mechanisms, and managing antifungal therapy and resistance.
Fungal Pathogenesis
Focuses on fungal pathogenesis, virulence factors, host-fungus interactions, immune response, fungal biology, and understanding fungal disease mechanisms.
Molecular Mycology
Examines molecular mycology, fungal genetics, PCR, sequencing, typing, molecular identification, phylogenetics, and applying molecular methods in mycology.
Fungal Taxonomy
Covers fungal taxonomy, classification, systematics, nomenclature, fungal diversity, yeast taxonomy, mould taxonomy, and classifying and identifying fungi.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Medical Mycology programme begins with morning lectures on medical mycology, fungal diagnostics, or clinical mycology. Students engage in theoretical discussions on fungal biology, pathogenesis, and diagnostic approaches. Medical mycology sessions cover fungal biology, fungal structure, fungal growth, fungal reproduction, fungal taxonomy, and understanding fungi. Fungal diagnostics sessions examine direct examination, KOH mount, calcofluor white, fungal culture, Sabouraud dextrose agar, identification, MALDI-TOF, and diagnosing fungal infections. Culture sessions cover fungal culture media, SDA, chromogenic media, cycloheximide, incubation, contamination control, and culturing and identifying fungi. Antifungal sessions examine antifungal drugs, azoles, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, polyenes, amphotericin B, echinocandins, caspofungin, antifungal susceptibility testing, and managing antifungal therapy. Resistance sessions cover resistance mechanisms, azole resistance, biofilms, intrinsic resistance, acquired resistance, and detecting and managing antifungal resistance. Pathogenesis sessions examine virulence factors, adhesion, invasion, dimorphism, toxin production, host-fungus interactions, immune response, and understanding fungal disease mechanisms. Clinical mycology sessions cover candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, dermatophytosis, mucormycosis, opportunistic mycoses, endemic mycoses, and managing fungal infections. Molecular sessions examine PCR, real-time PCR, sequencing, MALDI-TOF, molecular identification, typing, phylogenetics, and applying molecular methods in mycology. Taxonomy sessions cover fungal taxonomy, classification, systematics, nomenclature, yeast taxonomy, mould taxonomy, and classifying and identifying fungi. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with fungal culture, identification, antifungal susceptibility testing, molecular diagnostics, and microscopy. Clinical rotations provide hands-on experience with clinical mycology laboratories, patient samples, and laboratory workflow. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering mycology research methods, laboratory methods, and data analysis. Guest lectures from KEMRI researchers, KMLTTB inspectors, ISHAM fellows, clinical mycologists, and infectious disease specialists provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's HIV/AIDS burden, opportunistic fungal infections, cryptococcal meningitis, and increasing antifungal resistance create moderate demand for qualified medical mycology professionals.
JKUAT offers established MSc Medical Mycology at KES 496,000 through its College of Health Sciences, with related medical microbiology and mycobacteriology programmes.
Career opportunities with KEMRI, KMLTTB, NASCOP, hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and international organisations like ISHAM, ECMM, and WHO.
Programme addresses growing concern of fungal infections and antifungal resistance, with increasing global health significance.

Against it

Job market demand is moderate, with fewer dedicated medical mycology positions compared to bacteriology or virology.
Programme requires medical laboratory science, microbiology, biomedical science, or related background, which may exclude some graduates.
JKUAT total fees of KES 496,000 are relatively high compared to other public university postgraduate programmes.
Laboratory work requires access to biosafety facilities, fungal culture facilities, and molecular diagnostics 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 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 Medical Mycology 248K/yr. Kabianga/AKU/GLUK unverified. Src: kenyaeducationguide

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KEMRI supports medical research including fungal infections. ISHAM supports medical mycology professional development. ECMM supports medical mycology training. WHO supports fungal infection surveillance. The programme's medical mycology focus attracts research and international health funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KEMRI Research Funding
ISHAM Research Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate medical mycology studies at recognised universities.
KEMRI Research Funding
GrantKsh 400,000Kenyan
KEMRI supports medical research including fungal infections and medical mycology, providing funding for postgraduate research.
ISHAM Research Funding
GrantKsh 400,000
ISHAM supports medical mycology research and education, providing funding for postgraduate study and research in medical mycology.

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 science, microbiology, biomedical science, medicine, pharmacy, biology, biochemistry, and related fields. JKUAT requires degree in medical mycology with Upper Second or relevant degree with Lower Second plus research ability. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time modes. JKUAT total fees KES 496,000. Great Lakes fees KES 60,000/semester for 4 semesters.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, case studies, diagnostic exercises, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering medical mycology, fungal diagnostics, antifungal therapy, and clinical mycology, conducted at end of each semester.
Laboratory Practical Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory work, fungal culture, identification, antifungal susceptibility testing, molecular diagnostics, and practical reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a medical mycology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and medical mycology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT offers MSc Medical Mycology at KES 496,000 through its College of Health Sciences. JKUAT also offers related MSc Medical Microbiology and MSc Medical Mycobacteriology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate medical mycology training. KMLTTB regulates medical laboratory professionals in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT offers MSc Medical Mycology at KES 496,000 through its College of Health Sciences. JKUAT also offers related MSc Medical Microbiology and MSc Medical Mycobacteriology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate medical mycology training.
Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB)
Professional accreditation
KMLTTB regulates medical laboratory professionals in Kenya. Graduates working in mycology laboratories may benefit from KMLTTB certification and licensing.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Medical Mycologist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Specialises in medical mycology, overseeing fungal diagnostics, identification, culture, and supporting clinical mycology services.
Fungal Diagnostic Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Specialises in fungal diagnostics, overseeing diagnostic testing, molecular diagnostics, antifungal susceptibility, and supporting fungal diagnostic services.
Clinical Laboratory Manager
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages clinical laboratories, overseeing laboratory operations, quality assurance, staffing, and supporting laboratory services including mycology.
Research Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts medical mycology research, overseeing research projects, fungal studies, antifungal resistance research, and supporting mycological research.
Infection Control Officer
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages infection control, overseeing fungal infection surveillance, outbreak investigation, prevention, and supporting infection control programmes.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches medical mycology in universities, conducting research and training future medical mycology professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as medical mycologists, fungal diagnostic specialists, and clinical laboratory managers in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

MALDI-TOF Software
SoftwarePrimary
MALDI-TOF MS software for fungal identification, yeast identification, mould identification, rapid fungal identification, and mycological diagnostics.
LIS Software
SoftwarePrimary
Laboratory Information System software for mycology laboratory management, sample tracking, result reporting, and laboratory workflow management.
SPSS
Software
Statistical software for medical mycology research data analysis, diagnostic evaluation, susceptibility data, and statistical modelling in mycology research.
BioNumerics
Software
Bioinformatics software for fungal genotyping, molecular epidemiology, strain typing, and analysing fungal genetic data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Medical mycology is just about identifying fungi.
The programme involves fungal pathogenesis, antifungal therapy, resistance, clinical mycology, molecular diagnostics, and research, covering comprehensive medical mycology.
This programme is only for medical laboratory science graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from medical laboratory science, microbiology, biomedical science, medicine, pharmacy, and related fields.
Fungal infections are not a major health problem in Kenya.
Kenya's HIV/AIDS burden, opportunistic fungal infections, cryptococcal meningitis, and increasing antifungal resistance make medical mycology critical.
Medical mycology is outdated with modern molecular diagnostics.
Modern medical mycology integrates molecular diagnostics with traditional culture methods, requiring advanced skills in both conventional and molecular techniques.
Fungal infections only affect immunocompromised patients.
While opportunistic fungal infections are common in immunocompromised patients, fungal infections also affect immunocompetent individuals including dermatophytosis and endemic mycoses.
A master's in medical mycology is redundant after a bachelor's in medical laboratory science.
The master's provides specialised mycology skills, research capability, and career progression to senior laboratory management and research positions.