Social Sciences

Master of Science in Natural Products and Bio prospecting

The Master of Science in Natural Products and Bio-prospecting is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in natural product chemistry, drug discovery from natural sources, and bio-prospecting. The programme provides specialised training in the isolation, characterisation, and evaluation of bioactive compounds from plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Core areas include natural product chemistry, bio-prospecting, pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, bioassay techniques, drug discovery, ethnobotany, analytical chemistry, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, laboratory work, field work, and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. UoN is a public university offering the programme over two years through full-time and part-time study, with coursework in the first year and research in the second year.

Students develop competencies in natural product chemistry, bio-prospecting, phytochemistry, bioassay methods, drug discovery, and biomedical research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for pharmaceutical research, conservation, and teaching roles.

UoN charges KES 797,000 total for the programme (~KES 398,500/year). Entry requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Veterinary Medicine, Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Dental Surgery, or a relevant science discipline from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as natural product scientists, bio-prospecting researchers, pharmacognosists, pharmaceutical researchers, conservation scientists, and lecturers in natural products across pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, conservation organisations, regulatory bodies, and universities.

Skills Required

Natural Product Chemistry and Phytochemistry
Bio-prospecting and Drug Discovery
Extraction, Isolation, and Characterisation of Bioactive Compounds
Bioassay Techniques and Pharmacological Screening
Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopic Methods
Ethnobotany and Traditional Medicine
Pharmacognosy and Plant Chemistry
Research Methods in Natural Products
Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Natural Product Chemistry and Phytochemistry
Bio-prospecting and Drug Discovery
Extraction, Isolation, and Characterisation of Bioactive Compounds
Bioassay Techniques and Pharmacological Screening
Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopic Methods
Ethnobotany and Traditional Medicine
Pharmacognosy and Plant Chemistry
Research Methods in Natural Products
Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation
Thesis Research

Certifications

KEMRI Professional Certification
WHO Traditional Medicine Certification

Specializations

Phytochemistry and Plant Natural Products

Focuses on phytochemistry, covering plants, compounds, isolation, characterisation, and managing plant natural product research.

Bio-prospecting and Drug Discovery

Examines bio-prospecting, covering sources, screening, discovery, development, and managing bio-prospecting.

Pharmacognosy and Traditional Medicine

Covers pharmacognosy, covering traditional, medicine, plants, evaluation, and managing pharmacognosy research.

Marine Natural Products

Focuses on marine natural products, covering marine, organisms, compounds, isolation, and managing marine bio-prospecting.

Ethnobotany and Indigenous Knowledge

Examines ethnobotany, covering plants, traditional, knowledge, conservation, and managing ethnobotany research.

Analytical and Structural Elucidation

Covers analytical methods, covering spectroscopy, chromatography, NMR, MS, and managing structural elucidation.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 397,500
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

Natural Product Chemistry and Phytochemistry
Bio-prospecting and Drug Discovery
Extraction, Isolation, and Characterisation of Bioactive Compounds
Bioassay Techniques and Pharmacological Screening
Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopic Methods
Ethnobotany and Traditional Medicine
Pharmacognosy and Plant Chemistry
Research Methods in Natural Products
Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Natural Product Chemistry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines compounds, sources, classes, biosynthesis, and managing natural product chemistry.
Phytochemistry and Plant Chemistry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers plants, compounds, extraction, analysis, and managing phytochemistry.
Bio-prospecting and Drug Discovery
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines sources, screening, discovery, development, and managing bio-prospecting.
Research Methods in Natural Products
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, ethics, and conducting research, preparing students for their thesis.
Extraction, Isolation, and Characterisation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines extraction, isolation, chromatography, purification, and managing compound isolation.
Bioassay Techniques and Pharmacological Screening
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers techniques, screening, evaluation, pharmacology, and managing bioassay methods.
Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopic Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines spectroscopy, chromatography, NMR, MS, and managing analytical methods.
Pharmacognosy and Traditional Medicine
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers traditional, medicine, plants, evaluation, and managing pharmacognosy research.
Ethnobotany and Indigenous Knowledge
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines plants, traditional, knowledge, conservation, and managing ethnobotany research.
Marine and Microbial Natural Products
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers marine, organisms, compounds, microorganisms, and managing marine and microbial natural products.
Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines conservation, biodiversity, sustainable, policy, and managing conservation and sustainable utilisation.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a natural products and bio-prospecting topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and natural product knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Phytochemistry and Plant Natural Products
Focuses on phytochemistry, covering plants, compounds, isolation, characterisation, and managing plant natural product research.
Bio-prospecting and Drug Discovery
Examines bio-prospecting, covering sources, screening, discovery, development, and managing bio-prospecting.
Pharmacognosy and Traditional Medicine
Covers pharmacognosy, covering traditional, medicine, plants, evaluation, and managing pharmacognosy research.
Marine Natural Products
Focuses on marine natural products, covering marine, organisms, compounds, isolation, and managing marine bio-prospecting.
Ethnobotany and Indigenous Knowledge
Examines ethnobotany, covering plants, traditional, knowledge, conservation, and managing ethnobotany research.
Analytical and Structural Elucidation
Covers analytical methods, covering spectroscopy, chromatography, NMR, MS, and managing structural elucidation.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Natural Products and Bio-prospecting programme combines lectures, laboratory practicals, field work, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover natural product chemistry, phytochemistry, bio-prospecting, and pharmacognosy. Natural product chemistry sessions examine compounds, sources, isolation, characterisation, and managing natural product chemistry. Phytochemistry sessions cover plants, compounds, extraction, analysis, and managing phytochemistry. Bio-prospecting sessions cover sources, screening, discovery, development, and managing bio-prospecting. Pharmacognosy sessions cover traditional, medicine, plants, evaluation, and managing pharmacognosy research. Bioassay sessions cover techniques, screening, evaluation, pharmacology, and managing bioassay methods. Analytical chemistry sessions cover spectroscopy, chromatography, NMR, MS, and managing analytical methods. Ethnobotany sessions cover plants, traditional, knowledge, conservation, and managing ethnobotany research. Laboratory practicals provide hands-on experience with extraction, isolation, chromatography, spectroscopy, and bioassay techniques. Field work provides practical experience in plant collection, identification, and ethnobotanical surveys. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings and discussing current scientific literature. Guest lectures from experienced natural product scientists, pharmacognosists, and conservation professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a natural products and bio-prospecting topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme leverages Kenya's rich biodiversity for natural product drug discovery.
Programme combines chemistry, pharmacology, and conservation in a unique interdisciplinary approach.
Graduates are eligible for KEMRI professional certification and WHO Traditional Medicine certification.
Programme addresses growing global interest in natural product drug discovery and traditional medicine.

Against it

Only one university (UoN, public) confirmed offering this programme.
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Programme fees are high at KES 797,000 total (~KES 398,500/year).
Programme requires a Bachelor's degree in a relevant science or health discipline, limiting access.

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

Public187k to 398k

187k at Moi University398k 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 ~398K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). Moi ~187K/yr (worldscholarshipforum). Private: unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UoN may offer scholarships for eligible students. KEMRI may offer research grants for natural product research. Some pharmaceutical companies, conservation organisations, and international bodies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UoN Scholarship
KEMRI Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
UoN Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 398,500Kenyan
University of Nairobi offers scholarships for eligible postgraduate students.
KEMRI Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
KEMRI may offer research grants for natural product and drug discovery research.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: UoN accepts Upper Second Class Honours in relevant disciplines including Veterinary Medicine, Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Dental Surgery, or science degrees. Lower Second Class may be considered with two years of relevant work experience. Pass degree may be considered with a Postgraduate Diploma or five years of experience. Contact UoN 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 reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering natural product chemistry, phytochemistry, bio-prospecting, and pharmacognosy.
Laboratory and Field Assessment
Project40% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory work, extraction exercises, isolation, bioassay, field work, and demonstrating natural product skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a natural products and bio-prospecting topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and natural product knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi (public) offers MSc in Natural Products and Bio-prospecting through the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in natural products. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI professional certification and WHO Traditional Medicine certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi (public) offers MSc in Natural Products and Bio-prospecting through the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in natural products. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI professional certification and WHO Traditional Medicine certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Natural Product Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts natural product research and analysis, overseeing isolation, characterisation, evaluation, and managing natural product research.
Bio-prospecting Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts bio-prospecting research, overseeing screening, discovery, evaluation, and managing bio-prospecting.
Pharmacognosist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages pharmacognosy research, overseeing plants, medicine, evaluation, and managing pharmacognosy.
Pharmaceutical Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts pharmaceutical research, overseeing research, development, testing, and managing pharmaceutical research.
Conservation Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages conservation programmes, overseeing biodiversity, sustainable, policy, and managing conservation.
Natural Products Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches natural products at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

HPLC and GC Systems
EquipmentPrimary
HPLC and GC systems for separation and analysis, covering separation, identification, quantification, and managing natural product analysis.
NMR and Mass Spectrometry
Equipment
NMR and mass spectrometry for structural elucidation, covering structure, identification, analysis, and managing spectroscopic analysis.
BLAST and Bioinformatics Tools
Software
Bioinformatics tools for genomic and metabolomic analysis, covering data, analysis, searching, and managing bioinformatics data.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis of research data, covering statistics, analysis, research, and managing research data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Natural products is just about herbal medicine.
Natural products covers comprehensive chemistry, pharmacology, bio-prospecting, marine products, and drug discovery beyond just herbal medicine.
Bio-prospecting is just about collecting plants.
Bio-prospecting covers comprehensive screening, isolation, characterisation, evaluation, and drug discovery beyond just collecting plants.
This programme is only for pharmacists.
Natural products skills are valuable for veterinarians, doctors, chemists, biologists, and conservationists beyond just pharmacists.
Traditional medicine is not scientific.
Traditional medicine research uses rigorous scientific methods including phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical trials to validate traditional knowledge.
Natural product drug discovery is outdated.
Natural products remain a vital source of drug discovery, with many modern drugs derived from or inspired by natural products.
Bio-prospecting careers are limited in Kenya.
Kenya's rich biodiversity and growing pharmaceutical sector create opportunities for bio-prospecting professionals.