Science

Master of Science in Natural Products Chemistry

The Master of Science in Natural Products Chemistry is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in natural products research, drug discovery, and bioprospecting. The programme combines chemistry theory with practical natural products extraction, analysis, and bioactivity application.

Core areas include natural products chemistry, organic chemistry, spectroscopic methods, bioactive compounds, drug discovery, bioprospecting, phytochemistry, analytical chemistry, pharmacognosy, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both chemistry theory and practical laboratory work through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi as MSc in Natural Products and Bioprospecting and MSc in Chemistry through the Department of Chemistry, and JKUAT as MSc in Chemistry and MSc in Medical Chemistry. Both are public universities offering programmes over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in natural products chemistry, organic chemistry, spectroscopic methods, bioactive compounds, drug discovery, bioprospecting, phytochemistry, and analytical chemistry. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, and a supervised research thesis.

UoN charges approximately KES 361,500/year (KES 723,000 total) for chemistry and natural products programmes. JKUAT charges approximately KES 181,000/year (KES 362,000 total) for chemistry and medical chemistry. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in chemistry, pharmacy, or related science fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as natural products chemists, pharmaceutical researchers, bioprospecting specialists, analytical chemists, phytochemists, and lecturers in chemistry across pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, regulatory agencies, cosmetics companies, and universities.

Skills Required

Natural Products Extraction and Isolation
Spectroscopic Methods and Structure Elucidation
Bioactive Compound Discovery and Screening
Phytochemistry and Plant Secondary Metabolites
Drug Discovery and Pharmacognosy
Analytical Chemistry and Chromatographic Techniques
Bioprospecting and Bioresource Utilisation
Organic Synthesis and Derivatisation
Research Methods in Natural Products
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Natural Products Extraction and Isolation
Spectroscopic Methods and Structure Elucidation
Bioactive Compound Discovery and Screening
Phytochemistry and Plant Secondary Metabolites
Drug Discovery and Pharmacognosy
Analytical Chemistry and Chromatographic Techniques
Bioprospecting and Bioresource Utilisation
Organic Synthesis and Derivatisation
Research Methods in Natural Products
Thesis Research

Certifications

KEMRI Research Certification
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Membership

Specializations

Phytochemistry

Focuses on phytochemistry, covering plant secondary metabolites, extraction, isolation, characterisation, and managing phytochemistry research.

Drug Discovery

Examines drug discovery, covering bioactive compounds, screening, lead compounds, optimisation, and managing drug discovery from natural products.

Bioprospecting

Covers bioprospecting, covering bioresource survey, screening, commercialisation, access and benefit sharing, and managing bioprospecting.

Analytical Chemistry

Focuses on analytical chemistry, covering chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, quality control, and managing analytical chemistry.

Pharmacognosy

Examines pharmacognosy, covering medicinal plants, natural medicines, standardisation, quality, and managing pharmacognosy.

Marine Natural Products

Covers marine natural products, covering marine organisms, bioactive compounds, extraction, and managing marine natural products research.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 355,500
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 Products Extraction and Isolation
Spectroscopic Methods and Structure Elucidation
Bioactive Compound Discovery and Screening
Phytochemistry and Plant Secondary Metabolites
Drug Discovery and Pharmacognosy
Analytical Chemistry and Chromatographic Techniques
Bioprospecting and Bioresource Utilisation
Organic Synthesis and Derivatisation
Research Methods in Natural Products
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Natural Products Extraction and Isolation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines extraction, isolation, purification, characterisation, and managing natural products research.
Spectroscopic Methods and Structure Elucidation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers NMR, IR, UV-Vis, mass spectrometry, structure elucidation, and managing spectroscopic analysis.
Research Methods in Natural Products
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, laboratory methods, and conducting natural products research, preparing students for their thesis.
Phytochemistry and Plant Secondary Metabolites
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines plant secondary metabolites, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, and managing phytochemistry.
Bioactive Compound Discovery and Screening
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers screening, bioassays, activity testing, lead compounds, and managing bioactive compound research.
Drug Discovery from Natural Products
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines target identification, lead discovery, optimisation, preclinical, and managing drug discovery from natural products.
Analytical Chemistry and Chromatographic Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers chromatography, HPLC, GC, TLC, mass spectrometry, quality control, and managing analytical chemistry.
Bioprospecting and Bioresource Utilisation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines bioresource survey, screening, commercialisation, access and benefit sharing, and managing bioprospecting.
Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicines
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers medicinal plants, natural medicines, standardisation, quality control, and managing pharmacognosy.
Marine Natural Products
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines marine organisms, bioactive compounds, extraction, characterisation, and managing marine natural products research.
Organic Synthesis and Derivatisation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers derivatisation, semi-synthesis, total synthesis, structure-activity relationships, and managing organic synthesis.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a natural products chemistry topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and chemistry knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Phytochemistry
Focuses on phytochemistry, covering plant secondary metabolites, extraction, isolation, characterisation, and managing phytochemistry research.
Drug Discovery
Examines drug discovery, covering bioactive compounds, screening, lead compounds, optimisation, and managing drug discovery from natural products.
Bioprospecting
Covers bioprospecting, covering bioresource survey, screening, commercialisation, access and benefit sharing, and managing bioprospecting.
Analytical Chemistry
Focuses on analytical chemistry, covering chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, quality control, and managing analytical chemistry.
Pharmacognosy
Examines pharmacognosy, covering medicinal plants, natural medicines, standardisation, quality, and managing pharmacognosy.
Marine Natural Products
Covers marine natural products, covering marine organisms, bioactive compounds, extraction, and managing marine natural products research.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Natural Products Chemistry programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover natural products chemistry, organic chemistry, spectroscopic methods, and drug discovery. Natural products chemistry sessions examine extraction, isolation, purification, characterisation, and managing natural products research. Organic chemistry sessions cover organic reactions, mechanisms, synthesis, retrosynthesis, and managing organic chemistry. Spectroscopic methods sessions cover NMR, IR, UV-Vis, mass spectrometry, structure elucidation, and managing spectroscopic analysis. Bioactive compound sessions cover screening, bioassays, activity testing, lead compounds, and managing bioactive compound research. Phytochemistry sessions cover plant secondary metabolites, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, and managing phytochemistry. Drug discovery sessions cover target identification, lead discovery, optimisation, preclinical, and managing drug discovery from natural products. Bioprospecting sessions cover bioresource survey, screening, commercialisation, access and benefit sharing, and managing bioprospecting. Pharmacognosy sessions cover medicinal plants, natural medicines, standardisation, quality control, and managing pharmacognosy. Analytical chemistry sessions cover chromatography, HPLC, GC, TLC, mass spectrometry, and managing analytical chemistry. Organic synthesis sessions cover derivatisation, semi-synthesis, total synthesis, and managing organic synthesis. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with extraction, chromatography, spectroscopy, and bioassays. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with NMR operation, HPLC, mass spectrometry, and structure elucidation. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in natural products chemistry. Guest lectures from experienced chemists, pharmaceutical researchers, and KEMRI scientists provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a natural products chemistry topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand for natural products chemists with Kenya's rich biodiversity, traditional medicine heritage, pharmaceutical industry growth, and bioprospecting opportunities.
Programme offered by three public universities (UoN, JKUAT, KU), providing institutional choice.
JKUAT offers competitive fees at approximately KES 181,000/year (KES 362,000 total) for chemistry programmes.
Graduates are eligible for KEMRI research certification and RSC professional membership, enhancing career prospects.

Against it

UoN fees are higher at approximately KES 361,500/year (KES 723,000 total) for chemistry and natural products programmes.
KU specific natural products chemistry fees not independently verified.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Programme requires chemistry, pharmacy, or related science background, which limits access for non-related graduates.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 243 science courses

Public179k to 356k

179k at JKUAT356k 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 ~356K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). JKUAT ~179K/yr. Private unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KEMRI and KIRDI may provide research support for natural products researchers. Some pharmaceutical companies and research organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KEMRI Research Support
KIRDI Research Support

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 natural products and pharmaceutical researchers.
KIRDI Research Support
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
KIRDI may provide research support for industrial chemistry and natural products 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 chemistry, pharmacy, or related science 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, practical exercises, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering natural products chemistry, organic chemistry, spectroscopic methods, and drug discovery.
Laboratory and Practical Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, extraction, chromatography, spectroscopy, and demonstrating chemistry skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a natural products chemistry topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and chemistry knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi, JKUAT, and Kenyatta University (all public) offer MSc in Natural Products and Bioprospecting, Chemistry, or Medical Chemistry. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in natural products chemistry. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI research certification and RSC professional membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi, JKUAT, and Kenyatta University (all public) offer MSc in Natural Products and Bioprospecting, Chemistry, or Medical Chemistry. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in natural products chemistry. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI research certification and RSC professional membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Natural Products Chemist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts natural products research, overseeing extraction, isolation, characterisation, and managing natural products chemistry.
Pharmaceutical Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Conducts pharmaceutical research, overseeing drug discovery, screening, development, and managing pharmaceutical research.
Bioprospecting Specialist
Low demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages bioprospecting programmes, overseeing survey, screening, commercialisation, and managing bioprospecting.
Analytical Chemist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts analytical chemistry, overseeing chromatography, spectroscopy, quality control, and managing analytical chemistry.
Phytochemist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Studies plant chemistry, overseeing secondary metabolites, extraction, analysis, and managing phytochemistry.
Chemistry Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches chemistry at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

NMR Spectrometer
EquipmentPrimary
NMR spectrometer for structure elucidation, covering 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 2D NMR, and managing molecular structure analysis.
HPLC
Equipment
HPLC for chromatographic analysis, covering separation, purification, identification, and managing analytical chemistry.
Mass Spectrometer
Equipment
Mass spectrometer for molecular analysis, covering molecular weight, fragmentation, identification, and managing mass spectrometry.
ChemDraw
Software
ChemDraw for molecular drawing, covering structure drawing, reaction diagrams, and managing chemical documentation.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Natural products chemistry is just about studying plants.
Natural products chemistry covers comprehensive extraction, isolation, structure elucidation, bioactivity, drug discovery, and bioprospecting from plants, marine organisms, and microorganisms beyond just studying plants.
This programme is only for those who want to work in labs.
Natural products chemistry skills are valuable for pharmaceutical researchers, regulatory scientists, quality control managers, educators, and consultants beyond just lab work.
Natural products chemistry has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With Kenya's rich biodiversity, traditional medicine heritage, pharmaceutical industry growth, and bioprospecting opportunities, demand for natural products chemists is growing in Kenya.
Drug discovery is just about finding new compounds.
Drug discovery covers comprehensive target identification, screening, lead optimisation, preclinical testing, and clinical development from natural products.
Bioprospecting is just about collecting samples.
Bioprospecting covers comprehensive bioresource survey, screening, commercialisation, access and benefit sharing, and intellectual property.
Pharmacognosy is just about herbal medicine.
Pharmacognosy covers comprehensive medicinal plants, natural medicines, standardisation, quality control, and modern drug development from natural sources.