Science

Master of Science in Organic Chemistry

The Master of Science in Organic Chemistry is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in organic chemistry, synthetic chemistry, and molecular science. The programme combines organic chemistry theory with practical laboratory work, spectroscopic analysis, and synthetic methodology application.

Core areas include organic synthesis, reaction mechanisms, spectroscopic methods, natural products chemistry, organometallic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, polymer chemistry, computational chemistry, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both organic chemistry theory and practical laboratory work through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through the Department of Chemistry, Kenyatta University through the Department of Chemistry in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences, and University of Eldoret through the Department of Chemistry. All are public universities offering programmes over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in organic synthesis, reaction mechanisms, spectroscopic analysis, natural products chemistry, organometallic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and computational chemistry. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, and a supervised research thesis.

University of Nairobi charges approximately KES 361,500/year (KES 723,000 total) for MSc in Chemistry with organic specialisation. University of Eldoret charges approximately KES 140,000/year for MSc in Chemistry with organic specialisation. Kenyatta University charges similar fees to UoN. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in Chemistry or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as organic chemists, synthetic chemists, research scientists, medicinal chemists, quality control analysts, and lecturers in organic chemistry across pharmaceutical companies, chemical industries, research institutions, government agencies, and universities.

Skills Required

Organic Synthesis and Synthetic Methodology
Reaction Mechanisms and Kinetics
Spectroscopic Methods and Structure Elucidation
Natural Products Chemistry and Isolation
Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis
Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design
Polymer Chemistry and Materials
Computational Chemistry and Molecular Modelling
Research Methods in Chemistry
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Organic Synthesis and Synthetic Methodology
Reaction Mechanisms and Kinetics
Spectroscopic Methods and Structure Elucidation
Natural Products Chemistry and Isolation
Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis
Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design
Polymer Chemistry and Materials
Computational Chemistry and Molecular Modelling
Research Methods in Chemistry
Thesis Research

Certifications

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Membership
American Chemical Society (ACS) Membership

Specializations

Organic Synthesis

Focuses on organic synthesis, covering synthetic methods, retrosynthesis, total synthesis, and managing synthetic chemistry research.

Natural Products Chemistry

Examines natural products chemistry, covering isolation, characterisation, biosynthesis, bioactive compounds, and managing natural products research.

Medicinal Chemistry

Covers medicinal chemistry, covering drug design, SAR, pharmacology, synthesis, and managing medicinal chemistry research.

Organometallic Chemistry

Focuses on organometallic chemistry, covering organometallic compounds, catalysis, mechanisms, and managing organometallic chemistry research.

Polymer Chemistry

Examines polymer chemistry, covering polymer synthesis, characterisation, properties, and managing polymer chemistry research.

Computational Chemistry

Covers computational chemistry, covering molecular modelling, DFT, docking, simulation, and managing computational chemistry 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

Organic Synthesis and Synthetic Methodology
Reaction Mechanisms and Kinetics
Spectroscopic Methods and Structure Elucidation
Natural Products Chemistry and Isolation
Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis
Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design
Polymer Chemistry and Materials
Computational Chemistry and Molecular Modelling
Research Methods in Chemistry
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Organic Synthesis and Methodology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines synthetic methods, retrosynthesis, total synthesis, green chemistry, and managing synthetic chemistry research.
Reaction Mechanisms and Kinetics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers pericyclic reactions, substitution, elimination, addition, radical reactions, and managing mechanism analysis.
Research Methods in Chemistry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, chemistry research methods, and conducting chemistry research, preparing students for their thesis.
Spectroscopic Methods and Structure Elucidation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines NMR, IR, UV-Vis, mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography, and managing structure elucidation.
Natural Products Chemistry
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers isolation, characterisation, biosynthesis, bioactive compounds, and managing natural products research.
Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines organometallic compounds, catalysis, mechanisms, cross-coupling, and managing organometallic chemistry.
Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers drug design, SAR, pharmacology, ADMET, synthesis, and managing medicinal chemistry research.
Polymer Chemistry and Materials
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines polymer synthesis, characterisation, properties, applications, and managing polymer chemistry research.
Computational Chemistry and Molecular Modelling
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers molecular modelling, DFT, docking, simulation, and managing computational chemistry research.
Topics in Instrumental Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines advanced instrumental methods, chromatography, electrochemistry, thermal analysis, and managing instrumental analysis.
Graduate Seminar
Year 2Semester 11 creditsCore
Covers seminar presentations, literature review, research presentations, and academic discourse in chemistry.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on an organic chemistry topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and chemistry knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Organic Synthesis
Focuses on organic synthesis, covering synthetic methods, retrosynthesis, total synthesis, and managing synthetic chemistry research.
Natural Products Chemistry
Examines natural products chemistry, covering isolation, characterisation, biosynthesis, bioactive compounds, and managing natural products research.
Medicinal Chemistry
Covers medicinal chemistry, covering drug design, SAR, pharmacology, synthesis, and managing medicinal chemistry research.
Organometallic Chemistry
Focuses on organometallic chemistry, covering organometallic compounds, catalysis, mechanisms, and managing organometallic chemistry research.
Polymer Chemistry
Examines polymer chemistry, covering polymer synthesis, characterisation, properties, and managing polymer chemistry research.
Computational Chemistry
Covers computational chemistry, covering molecular modelling, DFT, docking, simulation, and managing computational chemistry research.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Organic Chemistry programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover organic synthesis, reaction mechanisms, spectroscopic methods, and natural products chemistry. Organic synthesis sessions examine synthetic methods, retrosynthesis, total synthesis, green chemistry, and managing synthetic chemistry. Reaction mechanisms sessions cover pericyclic reactions, substitution, elimination, addition, radical reactions, and managing mechanism analysis. Spectroscopic methods sessions cover NMR, IR, UV-Vis, mass spectrometry, X-ray, and managing structure elucidation. Natural products sessions cover isolation, characterisation, biosynthesis, bioactive compounds, and managing natural products research. Organometallic chemistry sessions cover organometallic compounds, catalysis, mechanisms, cross-coupling, and managing organometallic chemistry. Medicinal chemistry sessions cover drug design, SAR, pharmacology, synthesis, and managing medicinal chemistry. Polymer chemistry sessions cover polymer synthesis, characterisation, properties, and managing polymer chemistry. Computational chemistry sessions cover molecular modelling, DFT, docking, simulation, and managing computational chemistry. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with synthetic procedures, spectroscopic instruments, chromatography, and analytical techniques. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with NMR, IR, MS, GC-MS, HPLC, and synthetic chemistry equipment. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in organic chemistry and presenting research findings. Guest lectures from experienced chemists, industry professionals, and visiting researchers provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on an organic chemistry topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered by three public universities (UoN, KU, University of Eldoret), providing institutional choice.
University of Eldoret offers competitive fees at approximately KES 140,000/year.
Graduates are eligible for RSC and ACS professional membership, enhancing global career prospects.
Organic chemistry skills are in demand across pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetic, food, and materials industries.

Against it

UoN charges significantly higher fees at approximately KES 361,500/year (KES 723,000 total).
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Programme requires chemistry or related background, limiting access for non-chemistry graduates.
Career opportunities in Kenya may be limited compared to broader chemistry or analytical chemistry programmes.

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

Public163k to 356k

163k at University of Eldoret356k 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). UoE ~163K/yr. Private unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UoN and KU may offer postgraduate bursaries and scholarships. Some pharmaceutical companies and chemical industries may sponsor staff for postgraduate study. RSC and ACS may offer grants and fellowships for chemistry research.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UoN Postgraduate Bursary
KU Postgraduate Scholarship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
UoN Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
UoN offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
KU Postgraduate Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
KU offers postgraduate scholarships for eligible students, covering tuition, software, and research fees.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: UoN requires Upper Second in Chemistry or BEd with Chemistry major. KU requires Upper Second in Chemistry or BEd with Chemistry major, or Lower Second with two years experience. University of Eldoret requires Upper Second in Chemistry, or Lower Second with two years experience. 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, problem sets, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering organic synthesis, reaction mechanisms, spectroscopic methods, and natural products chemistry.
Practical and Laboratory Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, synthetic procedures, spectroscopic analysis, and demonstrating organic chemistry skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on an organic 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, Kenyatta University, and University of Eldoret (all public) offer MSc in Chemistry with organic chemistry specialisation. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in chemistry. Graduates are eligible for RSC and ACS professional membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and University of Eldoret (all public) offer MSc in Chemistry with organic chemistry specialisation. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in chemistry. Graduates are eligible for RSC and ACS professional membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Organic Chemist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts organic chemistry research, overseeing synthesis, analysis, characterisation, and managing organic chemistry research.
Synthetic Chemist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 600,000
Synthesises compounds, overseeing synthetic methods, optimisation, scale-up, and managing synthetic chemistry.
Research Scientist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 600,000
Conducts chemical research, overseeing experiments, analysis, publications, and managing research projects.
Medicinal Chemist
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 650,000
Designs and synthesises drug candidates, overseeing SAR, ADMET, optimisation, and managing medicinal chemistry.
Quality Control Analyst
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Performs quality control, overseeing testing, analysis, compliance, and managing quality control operations.
Chemistry Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches organic chemistry at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ChemDraw
SoftwarePrimary
ChemDraw for chemical drawing, covering structure drawing, reaction drawing, and managing chemical documentation.
Gaussian
Software
Gaussian for computational chemistry, covering DFT, molecular modelling, optimisation, and managing computational chemistry.
MestReNova
Software
MestReNova for NMR analysis, covering NMR processing, analysis, structure elucidation, and managing spectroscopic data.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering experimental data, research data, and managing statistical analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Organic chemistry is just about memorising reactions.
Organic chemistry covers comprehensive synthesis, mechanisms, spectroscopy, natural products, medicinal chemistry, and computational chemistry beyond just memorising reactions.
This programme is only for aspiring academics.
Organic chemistry skills are valuable for pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetic, food, materials, and energy industries beyond just academia.
Synthetic chemistry is just about mixing chemicals.
Synthetic chemistry covers comprehensive retrosynthesis, methodology, green chemistry, catalysis, and total synthesis beyond just mixing chemicals.
Natural products chemistry is just about extracting plants.
Natural products chemistry covers comprehensive isolation, characterisation, biosynthesis, structure elucidation, and bioactivity testing.
Medicinal chemistry is just about making drugs.
Medicinal chemistry covers comprehensive drug design, SAR, pharmacology, ADMET, and synthesis beyond just making drugs.
Computational chemistry is just about running software.
Computational chemistry covers comprehensive molecular modelling, DFT, docking, simulation, and theoretical understanding beyond just running software.