Health Sciences

Master of Science in Medical Parasitology and Entomology

The Master of Science in Medical Parasitology and Entomology is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in medical parasitology, medical entomology, vector biology, and parasitic disease management. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in parasitology research, vector control, tropical disease diagnostics, and public health entomology.

Core areas include medical parasitology, medical entomology, protozoology, helminthology, vector biology, vector control, parasitic disease diagnostics, molecular parasitology, tropical diseases, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical parasitology and entomology 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 Parasitology and Entomology at KES 496,000 total through its College of Health Sciences. JKUAT also offers MSc in Molecular Entomology and MSc in Biochemistry with Molecular Parasitology option. Great Lakes offers MSc programmes at KES 60,000 per semester.

Students develop competencies in parasite identification, vector identification, parasitic diagnostics, vector control, molecular parasitology, and research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, field work, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. JKUAT MSc Medical Parasitology and Entomology total fees are KES 496,000. Great Lakes MSc fees are KES 60,000 per semester for 4 semesters. Entry requires Bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science, microbiology, biology, or related fields with Upper Second or Lower with research ability.

Graduates pursue careers as parasitologists, medical entomologists, vector control specialists, research scientists, and lecturers in research institutions, vector control programmes, hospitals, and universities.

Skills Required

Medical Parasitology and Parasite Identification
Medical Entomology and Vector Identification
Parasitic Disease Diagnostics and Laboratory Methods
Vector Biology and Vector Control
Molecular Parasitology and Molecular Diagnostics
Protozoology and Helminthology
Tropical Disease Management and Control
Insecticide Resistance and Management
Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases
Parasitology and Entomology Research Methods

Key Subjects

Medical Parasitology
Medical Entomology
Protozoology
Helminthology
Vector Biology and Control
Parasitic Disease Diagnostics
Molecular Parasitology
Tropical Diseases
Insecticide Resistance
Parasitology Research Methods

Certifications

KMLTTB Laboratory Certification
WHO Vector Control Certification

Specializations

Medical Parasitology

Focuses on medical parasitology, protozoa, helminths, parasite identification, parasite biology, parasitic infections, and understanding and diagnosing parasitic diseases.

Medical Entomology

Examines medical entomology, disease vectors, mosquitoes, tsetse flies, sandflies, ticks, vector biology, and identifying and managing disease vectors.

Vector Control

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

Molecular Parasitology

Focuses on molecular parasitology, parasite genetics, molecular diagnostics, PCR for parasites, genotyping, drug resistance markers, and applying molecular methods in parasitology.

Tropical Disease Diagnostics

Examines diagnostics for tropical diseases, malaria diagnostics, schistosomiasis, filariasis, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and diagnosing tropical parasitic diseases.

Parasite Immunology

Covers parasite immunology, immune response to parasites, parasite evasion, vaccine development, immunodiagnostics, and understanding immune responses to parasitic infections.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 248,000
Private, up to: Ksh 463,200
Job market: High

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 Parasitology
Medical Entomology
Protozoology
Helminthology
Vector Biology and Control
Parasitic Disease Diagnostics
Molecular Parasitology
Tropical Diseases
Insecticide Resistance
Parasitology Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Medical Parasitology and Parasite Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines protozoa, helminths, parasite identification, parasite biology, life cycles, parasitic infections, host-parasite relationships, and understanding and diagnosing parasitic diseases.
Medical Entomology and Vector Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers disease vectors, mosquitoes, tsetse flies, sandflies, blackflies, ticks, mites, vector biology, vector ecology, and identifying and managing disease vectors.
Protozoology and Protozoan Infections
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines malaria parasites, trypanosomes, leishmania, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Trichomonas, and understanding protozoan parasites and infections.
Helminthology and Helminth Infections
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers trematodes, cestodes, nematodes, schistosomes, filarial worms, soil-transmitted helminths, and understanding helminth parasites and infections.
Vector Control and Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, larval source management, biological control, Wolbachia, integrated vector management, and managing and implementing vector control.
Parasitic Disease Diagnostics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers microscopy, serology, molecular diagnostics, malaria RDTs, PCR, ELISA, culture methods, and diagnosing parasitic infections in clinical and field settings.
Molecular Parasitology and Diagnostics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines parasite genetics, molecular diagnostics, PCR for parasites, genotyping, drug resistance markers, sequencing, and applying molecular methods in parasitology.
Tropical Diseases and Control
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers malaria, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and understanding and managing tropical parasitic diseases.
Insecticide Resistance and Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines resistance mechanisms, metabolic resistance, target site resistance, resistance monitoring, resistance management, insecticide resistance surveillance, and managing insecticide resistance.
Parasitology and Entomology Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for parasitology and entomology, field methods, laboratory methods, experimental design, data analysis, and conducting parasitology research, preparing students for their thesis.
Parasite Immunology and Vaccine Development
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines parasite immunology, immune response to parasites, parasite evasion, vaccine development, immunodiagnostics, and understanding immune responses to parasitic infections.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a medical parasitology and entomology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and parasitology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Medical Parasitology
Focuses on medical parasitology, protozoa, helminths, parasite identification, parasite biology, parasitic infections, and understanding and diagnosing parasitic diseases.
Medical Entomology
Examines medical entomology, disease vectors, mosquitoes, tsetse flies, sandflies, ticks, vector biology, and identifying and managing disease vectors.
Vector Control
Covers vector control, insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, larval control, biological control, insecticide resistance, and managing and implementing vector control.
Molecular Parasitology
Focuses on molecular parasitology, parasite genetics, molecular diagnostics, PCR for parasites, genotyping, drug resistance markers, and applying molecular methods in parasitology.
Tropical Disease Diagnostics
Examines diagnostics for tropical diseases, malaria diagnostics, schistosomiasis, filariasis, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and diagnosing tropical parasitic diseases.
Parasite Immunology
Covers parasite immunology, immune response to parasites, parasite evasion, vaccine development, immunodiagnostics, and understanding immune responses to parasitic infections.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Medical Parasitology and Entomology programme begins with morning lectures on parasitology, entomology, or vector biology. Students engage in theoretical discussions on parasite biology, vector ecology, and disease transmission. Medical parasitology sessions cover protozoa, helminths, parasite identification, parasite biology, life cycles, parasitic infections, and understanding and diagnosing parasitic diseases. Medical entomology sessions examine disease vectors, mosquitoes, tsetse flies, sandflies, blackflies, ticks, mites, vector biology, and identifying and managing disease vectors. Protozoology sessions cover malaria parasites, trypanosomes, leishmania, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, and understanding protozoan parasites. Helminthology sessions examine trematodes, cestodes, nematodes, schistosomes, filarial worms, soil-transmitted helminths, and understanding helminth parasites. Vector biology sessions cover vector ecology, vector behaviour, vector competence, population dynamics, and understanding vector biology and ecology. Vector control sessions examine insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, larval source management, biological control, Wolbachia, and managing and implementing vector control. Diagnostics sessions cover microscopy, serology, molecular diagnostics, malaria RDTs, PCR, and diagnosing parasitic infections. Molecular parasitology sessions examine parasite genetics, molecular diagnostics, PCR for parasites, genotyping, drug resistance markers, and applying molecular methods in parasitology. Tropical disease sessions cover malaria, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and understanding and managing tropical parasitic diseases. Insecticide resistance sessions cover resistance mechanisms, resistance monitoring, resistance management, insecticide resistance surveillance, and managing insecticide resistance. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with parasite identification, vector identification, microscopy, culture, molecular diagnostics, and insectary work. Field work provides hands-on experience with vector collection, parasite surveys, field diagnostics, and ecological surveys. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering parasitology research methods, entomology methods, and data analysis. Guest lectures from KEMRI researchers, icipe scientists, DVBNTD officials, WHO experts, and tropical disease specialists provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's endemic parasitic diseases including malaria, schistosomiasis, filariasis, leishmaniasis, and trypanosomiasis create high demand for qualified parasitology and entomology professionals.
JKUAT offers established MSc Medical Parasitology and Entomology at KES 496,000, with related MSc Molecular Entomology and MSc Biochemistry with Molecular Parasitology.
Career opportunities with KEMRI, icipe, DVBNTD, KMLTTB, hospitals, and international organisations like WHO, PATTEC, and APOC.
icipe, headquartered in Nairobi, provides world-class entomology research and collaboration opportunities for students in Kenya.

Against it

Programme requires biology, medical laboratory science, microbiology, or related background, which may exclude some graduates.
Field work requires travel to endemic areas for vector collection and parasite surveys, which may be logistically and health challenging.
JKUAT total fees of KES 496,000 are relatively high compared to other public university postgraduate programmes.
Laboratory work requires access to insectaries, parasite 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

Public120k to 248k

120k at University of Kabianga248k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Private120k to 463k

120k at Great Lakes University of Kisumu463k at Aga Khan 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

JKUAT 496k/2=248k/yr (kenyaeducationguide). GLUK 120k/yr (prospectus). Kabianga & AKU unverified for this course.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KEMRI supports medical research including parasitology. icipe supports insect research and capacity building. WHO supports NTD control. PATTEC supports trypanosomiasis eradication. The programme's parasitology and entomology focus attracts research and global health funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KEMRI Research Funding
icipe Research Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate parasitology and entomology studies at recognised universities.
KEMRI Research Funding
GrantKsh 400,000Kenyan
KEMRI supports medical research including parasitology and entomology, providing funding for postgraduate research in parasitic diseases.
icipe Research Funding
GrantKsh 400,000Kenyan
icipe supports insect research and capacity building, providing funding for postgraduate research in medical entomology and vector biology.

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, biology, microbiology, biomedical science, medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture, zoology, entomology, parasitology, public health, and related fields. JKUAT requires Upper Second or Lower with 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 parasitology, entomology, vector control, and tropical diseases, conducted at end of each semester.
Laboratory and Field Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory work, parasite identification, vector identification, field work, vector collection, and practical reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a medical parasitology and entomology 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). JKUAT offers MSc Medical Parasitology and Entomology at KES 496,000 through its College of Health Sciences. JKUAT also offers MSc in Molecular Entomology and MSc in Biochemistry with Molecular Parasitology option. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate medical parasitology and entomology training. KMLTTB regulates medical laboratory professionals and DVBNTD coordinates vector-borne disease control in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT offers MSc Medical Parasitology and Entomology at KES 496,000 through its College of Health Sciences. JKUAT also offers MSc Molecular Entomology and MSc Biochemistry with Molecular Parasitology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate parasitology and entomology training.
Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB)
Professional accreditation
KMLTTB regulates medical laboratory professionals in Kenya. Graduates working in parasitology 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

Parasitologist
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts parasitology research and diagnostics, overseeing parasite identification, diagnostics, research, and supporting parasitic disease management.
Medical Entomologist
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Specialises in medical entomology, overseeing vector identification, vector biology, vector surveillance, and supporting vector-borne disease control.
Vector Control Specialist
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages vector control programmes, overseeing ITNs, IRS, larval control, resistance monitoring, and supporting vector control implementation.
Research Scientist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts parasitology and entomology research, overseeing research projects, field studies, laboratory research, and supporting parasitological research.
Tropical Disease Diagnostic Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Specialises in tropical disease diagnostics, overseeing diagnostic testing, microscopy, molecular diagnostics, and supporting tropical disease diagnosis.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches parasitology and entomology in universities, conducting research and training future parasitology and entomology professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as parasitologists, medical entomologists, and vector control specialists in research institutions, vector control programmes, and hospitals.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for parasitology and entomology research data analysis, epidemiological data, vector surveillance data, and statistical modelling.
R Statistical Computing
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source statistical computing for epidemiological modelling, vector ecology analysis, parasitology data analysis, and research data analysis.
ArcGIS
Software
GIS software for vector distribution mapping, disease mapping, spatial epidemiology, and applying GIS for parasitology and entomology.
Geneious
Software
Bioinformatics software for parasite genetics, molecular parasitology, sequence analysis, phylogenetics, and analysing parasite genetic data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Medical parasitology and entomology is just about identifying worms and insects.
The programme involves parasite biology, vector ecology, molecular diagnostics, vector control, tropical disease management, and research, covering comprehensive parasitology and entomology.
This programme is only for biology graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from medical laboratory science, microbiology, biology, biomedical science, medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture, and related fields.
Parasitic diseases are no longer a major problem in Kenya.
Kenya remains endemic for malaria, schistosomiasis, filariasis, leishmaniasis, and other parasitic diseases, making parasitology and entomology skills critical.
Vector control is just about spraying insecticides.
Modern vector control involves integrated vector management, biological control, larval control, ITNs, IRS, insecticide resistance management, and evidence-based interventions.
Medical entomology is not relevant to public health.
Medical entomology is critical for public health, as vectors transmit diseases including malaria, dengue, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and filariasis, affecting millions in Kenya and Africa.
A master's in parasitology and entomology is redundant after a bachelor's in biology.
The master's provides specialised parasitology and entomology skills, research capability, and career progression to senior research and vector control positions.