Social Sciences

Master of Science in Mycobacteriology

The Master of Science in Mycobacteriology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in mycobacteriology, tuberculosis research, and diagnostic microbiology. The programme provides specialised training in mycobacterial biology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and drug resistance.

Core areas include mycobacteriology, tuberculosis diagnosis, molecular diagnostics, drug susceptibility testing, mycobacterial genetics, epidemiology of TB, laboratory biosafety, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, laboratory work, and research.

The programme is offered by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in collaboration with KEMRI Graduate School. JKUAT is a public university offering the programme over two to three years through full-time study, with taught courses in the first year and research in the second year.

Students develop competencies in mycobacteriology, TB diagnostics, molecular techniques, drug resistance testing, biosafety, and biomedical research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for diagnostic, research, and public health roles.

JKUAT charges KES 496,000 total for the programme (~KES 248,000/year). Entry requires at least a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or a relevant discipline from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as mycobacteriologists, TB laboratory specialists, research scientists, public health microbiologists, infection control specialists, and lecturers in mycobacteriology across hospitals, research institutions, national TB programmes, diagnostic laboratories, and universities.

Skills Required

Mycobacteriology and Mycobacterial Biology
Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Laboratory Methods
Molecular Diagnostics for Mycobacteria
Drug Susceptibility Testing and Resistance
Mycobacterial Genetics and Genomics
Epidemiology of Tuberculosis
Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity
Research Methods in Biomedical Sciences
Quality Control in Mycobacteriology
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Mycobacteriology and Mycobacterial Biology
Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Laboratory Methods
Molecular Diagnostics for Mycobacteria
Drug Susceptibility Testing and Resistance
Mycobacterial Genetics and Genomics
Epidemiology of Tuberculosis
Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity
Research Methods in Biomedical Sciences
Quality Control in Mycobacteriology
Thesis Research

Certifications

KEMRI Professional Certification
WHO TB Certification

Specializations

Tuberculosis Diagnostics

Focuses on TB diagnostics, covering microscopy, culture, molecular, diagnosis, and managing TB diagnostics.

Molecular Mycobacteriology

Examines molecular mycobacteriology, covering DNA, genomics, techniques, resistance, and managing molecular mycobacteriology.

Drug Resistance and Susceptibility

Covers drug resistance, covering MDR-TB, XDR-TB, testing, mechanisms, and managing drug resistance.

TB Epidemiology and Public Health

Focuses on TB epidemiology, covering surveillance, transmission, control, programmes, and managing TB public health.

Mycobacterial Genetics

Examines mycobacterial genetics, covering genes, regulation, virulence, evolution, and managing mycobacterial genetics.

Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria

Covers non-tuberculous mycobacteria, covering identification, diagnosis, treatment, and managing NTM infections.

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

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

Mycobacteriology and Mycobacterial Biology
Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Laboratory Methods
Molecular Diagnostics for Mycobacteria
Drug Susceptibility Testing and Resistance
Mycobacterial Genetics and Genomics
Epidemiology of Tuberculosis
Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity
Research Methods in Biomedical Sciences
Quality Control in Mycobacteriology
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Mycobacteriology Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines mycobacteria, biology, structure, growth, and managing mycobacteriology.
Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Laboratory Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers microscopy, culture, staining, identification, and managing TB diagnostics.
Molecular Diagnostics for Mycobacteria
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines PCR, GeneXpert, sequencing, detection, and managing molecular mycobacteriology.
Research Methods in Biomedical Sciences
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, ethics, and conducting research, preparing students for their thesis.
Drug Susceptibility Testing and Resistance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines MDR-TB, XDR-TB, testing, mechanisms, and managing drug resistance.
Mycobacterial Genetics and Genomics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers genes, regulation, virulence, evolution, and managing mycobacterial genetics.
Epidemiology of Tuberculosis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines surveillance, transmission, control, programmes, and managing TB epidemiology.
Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers BSL-3, containment, safety, procedures, and managing mycobacteriology laboratory safety.
Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines NTM, identification, diagnosis, treatment, and managing non-tuberculous mycobacteria.
Quality Control in Mycobacteriology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quality, standards, accreditation, proficiency, and managing quality control in mycobacteriology.
Advanced Topics in Mycobacteriology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines current research, new diagnostics, vaccines, drugs, and managing advanced mycobacteriology topics.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a mycobacteriology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and mycobacteriology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Tuberculosis Diagnostics
Focuses on TB diagnostics, covering microscopy, culture, molecular, diagnosis, and managing TB diagnostics.
Molecular Mycobacteriology
Examines molecular mycobacteriology, covering DNA, genomics, techniques, resistance, and managing molecular mycobacteriology.
Drug Resistance and Susceptibility
Covers drug resistance, covering MDR-TB, XDR-TB, testing, mechanisms, and managing drug resistance.
TB Epidemiology and Public Health
Focuses on TB epidemiology, covering surveillance, transmission, control, programmes, and managing TB public health.
Mycobacterial Genetics
Examines mycobacterial genetics, covering genes, regulation, virulence, evolution, and managing mycobacterial genetics.
Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria
Covers non-tuberculous mycobacteria, covering identification, diagnosis, treatment, and managing NTM infections.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Mycobacteriology programme combines lectures, laboratory practicals, seminars, journal clubs, and independent study. Sessions cover mycobacteriology, TB diagnostics, molecular diagnostics, and drug resistance. Mycobacteriology sessions examine mycobacteria, biology, structure, growth, and managing mycobacteriology. TB diagnostics sessions cover microscopy, culture, molecular, diagnosis, and managing TB diagnostics. Molecular diagnostics sessions cover PCR, GeneXpert, sequencing, detection, and managing molecular mycobacteriology. Drug resistance sessions cover MDR-TB, XDR-TB, testing, mechanisms, and managing drug resistance. Mycobacterial genetics sessions cover genes, regulation, virulence, evolution, and managing mycobacterial genetics. Epidemiology sessions cover surveillance, transmission, control, programmes, and managing TB epidemiology. Biosafety sessions cover BSL-3, containment, safety, procedures, and managing mycobacteriology laboratory safety. Laboratory practicals provide hands-on experience with mycobacterial culture, identification, drug susceptibility testing, and molecular techniques. Seminars and journal clubs provide opportunities for presenting research findings and discussing current scientific literature. Guest lectures from experienced mycobacteriologists, researchers, and public health professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a mycobacteriology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered in collaboration with KEMRI, providing access to leading TB research facilities.
Programme addresses Kenya's high TB burden including MDR-TB and HIV-associated TB challenges.
Graduates are eligible for KEMRI professional certification and WHO TB certification.
Programme covers comprehensive TB diagnostics, drug resistance, and molecular mycobacteriology.

Against it

Only one institution (JKUAT/KEMRI, public) confirmed offering this programme.
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Programme fees are moderate at KES 496,000 total (~KES 248,000/year).
Programme requires a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences, limiting access for non-science graduates.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public248k to 248k

248k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology248k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

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 Mycobacteriology 496K/2yr~248K/yr. KU unverified. Private: unverified. Src: kenyaeducationguide

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KEMRI may offer research grants for mycobacteriology research. WHO may offer research grants for TB research. Some hospitals, national TB programmes, and international health bodies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KEMRI Research Grant
WHO TB Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KEMRI Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
KEMRI may offer research grants for mycobacteriology and TB research.
WHO TB Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 200,000
WHO may offer research grants for TB research and control.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: JKUAT/KEMRI requires at least a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or a relevant discipline. Lower Second Class may be considered with acceptable evidence of research ability. Contact JKUAT/KEMRI 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, seminar presentations, journal club participation, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering mycobacteriology, TB diagnostics, molecular diagnostics, and drug resistance.
Laboratory Assessment
Project40% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory work, culture exercises, molecular techniques, drug susceptibility testing, and demonstrating mycobacteriology skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a mycobacteriology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and mycobacteriology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (public) offers MSc in Mycobacteriology in collaboration with KEMRI Graduate School. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in mycobacteriology. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI professional certification and WHO TB certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (public) offers MSc in Mycobacteriology in collaboration with KEMRI Graduate School. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in mycobacteriology. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI professional certification and WHO TB certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Mycobacteriologist
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts mycobacteriology analysis and research, overseeing diagnosis, identification, testing, and managing mycobacteriology.
TB Laboratory Specialist
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages TB laboratory operations, overseeing testing, diagnosis, quality, and managing TB laboratories.
Research Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts mycobacteriology research, overseeing research, experiments, analysis, and managing research projects.
Public Health Microbiologist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages public health microbiology, overseeing surveillance, control, programmes, and managing TB public health.
Infection Control Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages infection control programmes, overseeing prevention, surveillance, TB, and managing TB infection control.
Mycobacteriology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches mycobacteriology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

GeneXpert Systems
EquipmentPrimary
GeneXpert systems for molecular TB diagnosis, covering detection, rifampicin resistance, diagnosis, and managing molecular TB diagnostics.
BACTEC Culture Systems
Equipment
BACTEC culture systems for mycobacterial culture, covering culture, detection, identification, and managing mycobacterial culture.
BLAST and Bioinformatics Tools
Software
BLAST and bioinformatics tools for mycobacterial genomics, covering alignment, searching, analysis, and managing genomic data.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis of epidemiological and research data, covering statistics, analysis, research, and managing research data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Mycobacteriology is just about studying TB.
Mycobacteriology covers comprehensive TB, leprosy, non-tuberculous mycobacteria, genetics, diagnostics, and drug resistance beyond just studying TB.
This programme is only for medical laboratory scientists.
Mycobacteriology skills are valuable for doctors, pharmacists, public health professionals, and researchers beyond just medical laboratory scientists.
TB is no longer a problem in Kenya.
Kenya remains a high TB burden country with ongoing challenges including MDR-TB and HIV-associated TB requiring trained professionals.
TB diagnosis is just about sputum microscopy.
TB diagnosis covers comprehensive culture, molecular methods, GeneXpert, drug susceptibility testing, and clinical diagnosis beyond just sputum microscopy.
Drug resistance testing is just about identifying MDR-TB.
Drug resistance testing covers comprehensive first-line, second-line, molecular, phenotypic, and genomic methods beyond just identifying MDR-TB.
Mycobacteriology careers are limited to laboratories.
Mycobacteriology careers span research, public health, education, programme management, and policy beyond just laboratory work.