Health Sciences

Master of Science in Medical Parasitological and Vector Biology

The Master of Science in Medical Parasitological and Vector Biology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in medical parasitology, vector biology, and tropical disease research. The programme combines parasitology theory with practical vector biology and disease control application.

Core areas include medical parasitology, vector biology, medical entomology, tropical diseases, parasite immunology, molecular parasitology, epidemiology of parasitic diseases, vector control, diagnostic parasitology, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both parasitology theory and practical laboratory and field work through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through the School of Biological Sciences as MSc in Applied Parasitology, JKUAT in collaboration with KEMRI as MSc in Medical Parasitology and Entomology, and the Technical University of Kenya as MSc in Applied Parasitology. All are public universities offering the programme over two academic years through full-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in medical parasitology, vector biology, medical entomology, tropical diseases, parasite immunology, molecular parasitology, epidemiology of parasitic diseases, and vector control. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, field investigations, and a supervised research thesis.

UoN charges approximately KES 365,500/year (KES 731,000 total) for applied parasitology. JKUAT and KEMRI charge approximately KES 248,000/year (KES 496,000 total) for medical parasitology and entomology. Technical University of Kenya charges approximately KES 231,600/year for applied parasitology. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in biological sciences, parasitology, microbiology, medical laboratory science, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as parasitologists, medical entomologists, vector control specialists, tropical disease researchers, public health specialists, and lecturers in parasitology across research institutions, hospitals, public health agencies, NGOs, and universities.

Skills Required

Medical Parasitology and Pathogen Identification
Vector Biology and Medical Entomology
Molecular Parasitology and Diagnostic Techniques
Tropical Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance
Vector Control and Integrated Pest Management
Parasite Immunology and Host-Parasite Interactions
Diagnostic Parasitology and Laboratory Techniques
Parasitic Disease Prevention and Public Health
Research Methods in Parasitology
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Medical Parasitology and Pathogen Identification
Vector Biology and Medical Entomology
Molecular Parasitology and Diagnostic Techniques
Tropical Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance
Vector Control and Integrated Pest Management
Parasite Immunology and Host-Parasite Interactions
Diagnostic Parasitology and Laboratory Techniques
Parasitic Disease Prevention and Public Health
Research Methods in Parasitology
Thesis Research

Certifications

KEMRI Research Certification
WHO Tropical Diseases Professional Membership

Specializations

Medical Parasitology

Focuses on medical parasitology, covering protozoa, helminths, parasite biology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and managing parasitic diseases.

Vector Biology

Examines vector biology, covering mosquito vectors, tick vectors, vector ecology, behaviour, and managing vector populations.

Medical Entomology

Covers medical entomology, covering insect vectors, taxonomy, biology, control, and managing medical entomology.

Molecular Parasitology

Focuses on molecular parasitology, covering molecular diagnostics, genomics, taxonomy, drug resistance, and managing molecular parasitology.

Tropical Disease Research

Examines tropical disease research, covering malaria, schistosomiasis, filariasis, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and managing tropical disease research.

Vector Control

Covers vector control, covering insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, biological control, resistance management, and managing vector control.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 436,000
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

Medical Parasitology and Pathogen Identification
Vector Biology and Medical Entomology
Molecular Parasitology and Diagnostic Techniques
Tropical Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance
Vector Control and Integrated Pest Management
Parasite Immunology and Host-Parasite Interactions
Diagnostic Parasitology and Laboratory Techniques
Parasitic Disease Prevention and Public Health
Research Methods in Parasitology
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Medical Parasitology and Pathogen Identification
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines protozoa, helminths, parasite biology, life cycles, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and managing parasitic diseases.
Vector Biology and Medical Entomology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers mosquito vectors, tick vectors, vector ecology, behaviour, taxonomy, morphology, and managing vector populations.
Research Methods in Parasitology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, field methods, and conducting parasitology research, preparing students for their thesis.
Molecular Parasitology and Diagnostic Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines molecular diagnostics, PCR, sequencing, genomics, taxonomy, drug resistance, and managing molecular parasitology.
Tropical Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers disease surveillance, transmission dynamics, risk factors, mapping, and managing parasitic disease epidemiology.
Parasite Immunology and Host-Parasite Interactions
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines immune response, host-parasite interactions, immunopathology, immune evasion, and managing parasite immunology.
Vector Control and Integrated Pest Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, biological control, resistance management, and managing vector control.
Diagnostic Parasitology and Laboratory Techniques
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines microscopy, culture, serology, molecular diagnostics, quality assurance, and managing diagnostic parasitology.
Malaria Biology and Control
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers malaria parasites, vector biology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and managing malaria control.
Neglected Tropical Diseases and Public Health
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines schistosomiasis, filariasis, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and managing NTDs.
Drug Resistance and Chemotherapy of Parasitic Diseases
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers antiparasitic drugs, drug resistance mechanisms, drug discovery, treatment strategies, and managing parasitic disease chemotherapy.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a medical parasitological and vector biology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and parasitology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Medical Parasitology
Focuses on medical parasitology, covering protozoa, helminths, parasite biology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and managing parasitic diseases.
Vector Biology
Examines vector biology, covering mosquito vectors, tick vectors, vector ecology, behaviour, and managing vector populations.
Medical Entomology
Covers medical entomology, covering insect vectors, taxonomy, biology, control, and managing medical entomology.
Molecular Parasitology
Focuses on molecular parasitology, covering molecular diagnostics, genomics, taxonomy, drug resistance, and managing molecular parasitology.
Tropical Disease Research
Examines tropical disease research, covering malaria, schistosomiasis, filariasis, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and managing tropical disease research.
Vector Control
Covers vector control, covering insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, biological control, resistance management, and managing vector control.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Medical Parasitological and Vector Biology programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, field investigations, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover medical parasitology, vector biology, medical entomology, and tropical diseases. Medical parasitology sessions examine protozoa, helminths, parasite biology, life cycles, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and managing parasitic diseases. Vector biology sessions cover mosquito vectors, tick vectors, vector ecology, behaviour, population dynamics, and managing vector populations. Medical entomology sessions cover insect vectors, taxonomy, morphology, biology, control, and managing medical entomology. Molecular parasitology sessions cover molecular diagnostics, PCR, sequencing, genomics, taxonomy, drug resistance, and managing molecular parasitology. Tropical disease sessions cover malaria, schistosomiasis, filariasis, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and managing tropical disease research. Parasite immunology sessions cover immune response, host-parasite interactions, immunopathology, evasion, and managing parasite immunology. Epidemiology sessions cover disease surveillance, transmission dynamics, risk factors, mapping, and managing parasitic disease epidemiology. Vector control sessions cover insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, biological control, resistance management, and managing vector control. Diagnostic parasitology sessions cover microscopy, culture, serology, molecular diagnostics, and managing diagnostic parasitology. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with parasite identification, microscopy, culture, PCR, ELISA, and insectary work. Field investigations provide exposure to disease endemic areas, vector sampling, and parasite collection. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with diagnostic techniques, vector identification, and control methods. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in parasitology and vector biology. Guest lectures from experienced parasitologists, KEMRI researchers, and public health experts provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a medical parasitological and vector biology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Steady demand for parasitology professionals with Kenya's tropical disease burden, malaria control programmes, and neglected tropical disease initiatives.
Programme offered by three public universities (UoN, JKUAT and KEMRI, TU-K), providing institutional choice.
JKUAT and KEMRI collaboration provides access to KEMRI research facilities and expertise.
Technical University of Kenya offers competitive fees at approximately KES 231,600/year for applied parasitology.

Against it

UoN fees are higher at approximately KES 365,500/year (KES 731,000 total) for applied parasitology.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Programme requires biological sciences, parasitology, microbiology, or related background, which limits access for non-related graduates.
Full-time only study mode may be inconvenient for working professionals.

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

Public170k to 436k

170k at Technical University of Kenya436k 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 (includes parasitology); TUK Group II 170K/yr. Private unverified. Src: UoN, eafinder

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KEMRI and research organisations may provide research support. WHO and international health organisations may provide fellowships for tropical disease professionals. Some NGOs and international organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KEMRI Research Support
WHO Tropical Diseases Fellowships

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KEMRI Research Support
GrantKsh 250,000Kenyan
KEMRI and partner organisations may provide research support for parasitology and tropical disease professionals.
WHO Tropical Diseases Fellowships
FellowshipKsh 300,000Kenyan
WHO and international health organisations may provide fellowships for tropical disease and vector control professionals.

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, parasitology, microbiology, medical laboratory science, or related 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 investigation reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering medical parasitology, vector biology, medical entomology, and tropical diseases.
Laboratory and Field Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, parasite identification, vector sampling, diagnostic techniques, and demonstrating parasitology skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a medical parasitological and vector biology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and parasitology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi, JKUAT in collaboration with KEMRI, and the Technical University of Kenya (all public) offer MSc in Applied Parasitology or Medical Parasitology and Entomology. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in medical parasitology and vector biology. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI research certification and WHO Tropical Diseases professional membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi, JKUAT in collaboration with KEMRI, and the Technical University of Kenya (all public) offer MSc in Applied Parasitology or Medical Parasitology and Entomology. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in medical parasitology and vector biology. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI research certification and WHO Tropical Diseases professional membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Parasitologist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts parasitology research and diagnostics, overseeing parasite identification, analysis, and managing parasitology.
Medical Entomologist
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Studies insect vectors, overseeing vector biology, taxonomy, control, and managing medical entomology.
Vector Control Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages vector control programmes, overseeing interventions, monitoring, evaluation, and managing vector control.
Tropical Disease Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Conducts tropical disease research, overseeing research design, data collection, analysis, publication, and managing research.
Public Health Specialist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages public health programmes, overseeing disease control, policy, interventions, and managing public health.
Parasitology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches parasitology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microscopy
EquipmentPrimary
Microscopy for parasite identification, covering light microscopy, fluorescence, electron microscopy, and managing parasitology diagnostics.
PCR Systems
Equipment
PCR systems for molecular diagnostics, covering DNA amplification, real-time PCR, sequencing, and managing molecular parasitology.
ELISA
Equipment
ELISA for serology, covering antibody detection, antigen detection, immunoassays, and managing serological analysis.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering epidemiological data, survey data, research data, and managing statistical analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Parasitology is just about studying worms.
Parasitology covers comprehensive protozoa, helminths, arthropods, molecular biology, immunology, epidemiology, and vector control beyond just worms.
This programme is only for laboratory scientists.
Parasitology skills are valuable for public health professionals, researchers, entomologists, epidemiologists, educators, and policy makers beyond just laboratory scientists.
Parasitology has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With Kenya's tropical disease burden, malaria control, neglected tropical diseases, and public health programmes, demand for parasitology professionals is steady in Kenya.
Vector biology is just about killing mosquitoes.
Vector biology covers comprehensive vector ecology, behaviour, genetics, resistance, biological control, and integrated vector management.
Molecular parasitology is just about DNA testing.
Molecular parasitology covers comprehensive genomics, proteomics, taxonomy, drug resistance, vaccine development, and molecular diagnostics.
Vector control is just about spraying insecticides.
Vector control covers comprehensive integrated vector management, biological control, environmental management, resistance management, and community participation.