Health Sciences

Master of Science in Pathology and Microbiology

The Master of Science in Pathology and Microbiology is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in pathology, medical microbiology, diagnostic microbiology, and laboratory medicine. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in diagnostic pathology, clinical microbiology, laboratory management, and biomedical research.

Core areas include pathology, medical microbiology, diagnostic microbiology, clinical pathology, immunology, virology, bacteriology, parasitology, molecular diagnostics, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical laboratory applications.

The programme is offered by Kirinyaga University, Strathmore University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, with University of Nairobi as a college. UoN offers related MSc Medical Microbiology, MSc Clinical Cytology, Master in Clinical Chemistry, and MMed in Human Pathology through its Faculty of Health Sciences. UoN also offers MSc Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology.

Students develop competencies in diagnostic techniques, microbial identification, pathology analysis, molecular diagnostics, laboratory management, and research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, clinical attachments, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. UoN MSc Biological Sciences total fees are KES 731,000 (~KES 365,500/year). Entry requires Bachelor's degree in medical laboratory sciences, microbiology, biochemistry, medicine, or related fields with Upper Second or Lower with experience.

Graduates pursue careers as clinical microbiologists, pathologists, laboratory managers, biomedical researchers, and lecturers in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, research institutions, and universities.

Skills Required

Pathology and Histopathology
Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
Diagnostic Microbiology and Laboratory Techniques
Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Diagnosis
Virology and Viral Diagnostics
Immunology and Serology
Molecular Diagnostics and PCR
Parasitology and Mycology
Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance
Pathology and Microbiology Research Methods

Key Subjects

Pathology
Medical Microbiology
Diagnostic Microbiology
Clinical Pathology
Virology
Immunology
Bacteriology
Molecular Diagnostics
Laboratory Management
Pathology and Microbiology Research Methods

Certifications

KMLTTB Laboratory Certification
ASM Microbiology Certification

Specializations

Diagnostic Microbiology

Focuses on diagnostic microbiology, microbial identification, antimicrobial susceptibility, culture techniques, molecular diagnostics, and diagnosing microbial infections.

Clinical Pathology

Examines clinical pathology, clinical chemistry, haematology, clinical microscopy, laboratory diagnosis, and applying pathology in clinical diagnosis.

Medical Bacteriology

Covers medical bacteriology, bacterial pathogenesis, bacterial identification, antibiotic resistance, bacterial infections, and understanding and diagnosing bacterial diseases.

Virology

Focuses on virology, viral pathogenesis, viral identification, viral diagnostics, viral infections, antiviral therapy, and understanding and diagnosing viral diseases.

Molecular Diagnostics

Examines molecular diagnostics, PCR, real-time PCR, sequencing, molecular identification, genotyping, and applying molecular techniques in pathology and microbiology.

Laboratory Management

Covers laboratory management, quality assurance, ISO 15189, laboratory safety, accreditation, and managing clinical and diagnostic laboratories.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 178,500
Private, up to: Ksh 319,500
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

Pathology
Medical Microbiology
Diagnostic Microbiology
Clinical Pathology
Virology
Immunology
Bacteriology
Molecular Diagnostics
Laboratory Management
Pathology and Microbiology Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

General and Systemic Pathology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines general pathology, cellular injury, inflammation, repair, haemodynamic disorders, neoplasia, systemic pathology, and understanding disease processes.
Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers bacteriology, bacterial structure, bacterial genetics, bacterial pathogenesis, bacterial identification, antibiotic resistance, and understanding bacterial infections.
Diagnostic Microbiology and Laboratory Techniques
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines culture techniques, staining, microbial identification, antimicrobial susceptibility, MALDI-TOF, automated systems, and diagnosing microbial infections.
Virology and Viral Diagnostics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers viral structure, viral replication, viral pathogenesis, viral identification, viral diagnostics, serology, molecular virology, antiviral therapy, and understanding viral infections.
Immunology and Serology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines immune system, innate immunity, adaptive immunity, antibodies, complement, serology, immunological techniques, ELISA, Western blot, and understanding immune responses.
Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Diagnosis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers clinical chemistry, haematology, clinical microscopy, urinalysis, CSF analysis, body fluids, coagulation, blood transfusion, and applying pathology in clinical diagnosis.
Molecular Diagnostics and PCR
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines PCR, real-time PCR, sequencing, molecular identification, genotyping, molecular pathology, next-generation sequencing, and applying molecular techniques in pathology and microbiology.
Parasitology and Mycology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers medical parasitology, protozoa, helminths, arthropods, parasitic infections, medical mycology, fungal infections, fungal identification, and diagnosing parasitic and fungal diseases.
Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines quality assurance, ISO 15189, laboratory safety, accreditation, EQA, PT, laboratory information systems, and managing clinical and diagnostic laboratories.
Pathology and Microbiology Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for pathology and microbiology, laboratory research, experimental design, data analysis, biosafety, and conducting pathology and microbiology research, preparing students for their thesis.
Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines antimicrobial resistance, resistance mechanisms, AMR surveillance, AST interpretation, antimicrobial stewardship, infection control, and managing antimicrobial resistance.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a pathology and microbiology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and pathology and microbiology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Diagnostic Microbiology
Focuses on diagnostic microbiology, microbial identification, antimicrobial susceptibility, culture techniques, molecular diagnostics, and diagnosing microbial infections.
Clinical Pathology
Examines clinical pathology, clinical chemistry, haematology, clinical microscopy, laboratory diagnosis, and applying pathology in clinical diagnosis.
Medical Bacteriology
Covers medical bacteriology, bacterial pathogenesis, bacterial identification, antibiotic resistance, bacterial infections, and understanding and diagnosing bacterial diseases.
Virology
Focuses on virology, viral pathogenesis, viral identification, viral diagnostics, viral infections, antiviral therapy, and understanding and diagnosing viral diseases.
Molecular Diagnostics
Examines molecular diagnostics, PCR, real-time PCR, sequencing, molecular identification, genotyping, and applying molecular techniques in pathology and microbiology.
Laboratory Management
Covers laboratory management, quality assurance, ISO 15189, laboratory safety, accreditation, and managing clinical and diagnostic laboratories.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Pathology and Microbiology programme begins with morning lectures on pathology, medical microbiology, or diagnostic techniques. Students engage in theoretical discussions on disease mechanisms, microbial pathogenesis, and laboratory diagnosis. Pathology sessions cover general pathology, systemic pathology, histopathology, cellular injury, inflammation, neoplasia, and understanding disease processes. Medical microbiology sessions examine bacteriology, bacterial pathogenesis, bacterial identification, antibiotic resistance, and understanding bacterial infections. Virology sessions cover viral structure, viral replication, viral pathogenesis, viral identification, viral diagnostics, antiviral therapy, and understanding viral infections. Immunology sessions examine immune system, innate immunity, adaptive immunity, serology, immunological techniques, and understanding immune responses. Diagnostic microbiology sessions cover culture techniques, microbial identification, antimicrobial susceptibility, AST, MALDI-TOF, and diagnosing microbial infections. Clinical pathology sessions examine clinical chemistry, haematology, clinical microscopy, urinalysis, CSF analysis, and applying pathology in clinical diagnosis. Molecular diagnostics sessions cover PCR, real-time PCR, sequencing, molecular identification, genotyping, and applying molecular techniques in pathology and microbiology. Parasitology sessions cover medical parasitology, protozoa, helminths, arthropods, parasitic infections, and diagnosing parasitic diseases. Mycology sessions examine medical mycology, fungal infections, fungal identification, antifungal susceptibility, and diagnosing fungal infections. Laboratory management sessions cover quality assurance, ISO 15189, laboratory safety, accreditation, EQA, and managing clinical and diagnostic laboratories. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with culture, staining, identification, antimicrobial testing, PCR, serology, and histopathology techniques. Clinical attachments provide hands-on experience with diagnostic laboratories, hospital laboratories, and public health laboratories. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering pathology and microbiology research methods, laboratory research, and data analysis. Guest lectures from UoN pathology faculty, KEMRI researchers, KMLTTB officials, hospital laboratory directors, and international microbiology experts provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's disease burden, diagnostic needs, antimicrobial resistance, laboratory quality requirements, and public health surveillance create high demand for qualified pathology and microbiology professionals.
UoN offers related MSc Medical Microbiology, MSc Clinical Cytology, and MMed in Human Pathology through its Faculty of Health Sciences, providing established training.
Career opportunities with hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, KEMRI, NPHL, KMLTTB, research institutions, and international organisations like WHO and ASM.
Programme addresses critical healthcare needs including diagnostics, infectious diseases, AMR, and laboratory quality in Kenya.

Against it

Programme requires medical laboratory sciences, microbiology, biochemistry, or related background, which may exclude some graduates.
Laboratory work requires access to microbiology laboratories, biosafety facilities, and diagnostic equipment, which may be limited.
UoN total fees of KES 731,000 are relatively high compared to other public universities.
Strathmore fees at KES 150,000 per semester (~KES 300,000/year) are relatively expensive compared to public universities.

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 179k

120k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology179k at Kirinyaga University

Private149k to 320k

149k at Mount Kenya University320k at United States International University Africa

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

USIU ~319.5K/yr, MKU ~149.1K/yr verified. Kirinyaga, MMUST unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KEMRI supports medical research including microbiology and pathology. WHO supports laboratory capacity building. KMLTTB supports laboratory professional development. ASM supports microbiology professional development. The programme's pathology and microbiology focus attracts health sector and international research funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KEMRI Research Funding
WHO Laboratory Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate pathology and microbiology studies at recognised universities.
KEMRI Research Funding
GrantKsh 400,000Kenyan
KEMRI supports medical research including microbiology, pathology, and infectious diseases, providing funding for postgraduate research in pathology and microbiology.
WHO Laboratory Funding
GrantKsh 300,000
WHO supports laboratory capacity strengthening globally, providing funding for postgraduate training and research in laboratory sciences and microbiology.

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 sciences, microbiology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, medicine, veterinary medicine, and related fields. UoN offers related MSc Medical Microbiology requiring relevant Bachelor's degree with Upper Second. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time modes.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, case studies, diagnostic analysis projects, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering pathology, medical microbiology, diagnostic techniques, and laboratory management, conducted at end of each semester.
Laboratory Practical Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory work, culture techniques, identification, antimicrobial testing, molecular diagnostics, histopathology, and practical reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a pathology and microbiology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and pathology and microbiology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). UoN offers related MSc Medical Microbiology, MSc Clinical Cytology, and MMed in Human Pathology through its Faculty of Health Sciences. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate pathology and microbiology training. KMLTTB regulates medical laboratory practice in Kenya, and KEMRI supports medical research including microbiology and pathology.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. UoN offers related MSc Medical Microbiology, MSc Clinical Cytology, and MMed in Human Pathology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate pathology and microbiology training.
Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB)
Professional accreditationRequired
KMLTTB regulates medical laboratory practice in Kenya. Graduates working in diagnostic laboratories must be registered with KMLTTB and meet laboratory practice standards.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Clinical Microbiologist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Provides clinical microbiology services, overseeing microbial identification, AST, diagnostic testing, and supporting clinical microbiology laboratory services.
Pathology Laboratory Scientist
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts pathology laboratory testing, overseeing histopathology, clinical pathology, diagnostic testing, and supporting pathology laboratory services.
Laboratory Manager
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages clinical and diagnostic laboratories, overseeing laboratory operations, quality, safety, accreditation, and supporting laboratory management.
Biomedical Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts biomedical research, overseeing research projects, microbiology studies, pathology research, and supporting biomedical research.
Public Health Microbiologist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Provides public health microbiology services, overseeing surveillance, reference testing, outbreak investigation, and supporting public health laboratory services.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches pathology and microbiology in universities, conducting research and training future pathology and microbiology professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as clinical microbiologists, pathologists, and laboratory managers in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

BLAST
SoftwarePrimary
Bioinformatics tool for microbial sequence identification, 16S rRNA, gene analysis, and comparing microbial DNA sequences in diagnostic microbiology.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for pathology and microbiology research data analysis, AMR data, laboratory data, and statistical modelling in biomedical research.
WHONET
Software
Antimicrobial resistance surveillance software for AST data management, AMR trends, resistance patterns, and monitoring antimicrobial resistance in microbiology laboratories.
Geneious
Software
Bioinformatics software for molecular diagnostics, sequence analysis, PCR primer design, phylogenetics, and analysing molecular data in pathology and microbiology.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Pathology and microbiology is just about looking at samples under a microscope.
The programme involves molecular diagnostics, pathogenesis studies, antimicrobial resistance, laboratory management, quality assurance, and research, covering comprehensive pathology and microbiology.
This programme is only for medical laboratory scientists.
The programme accepts graduates from medical laboratory sciences, microbiology, biochemistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, biomedical sciences, and related fields.
There is limited demand for pathology and microbiology professionals in Kenya.
Kenya's disease burden, diagnostic needs, antimicrobial resistance, laboratory quality requirements, and public health surveillance create high demand for qualified pathology and microbiology professionals.
Pathology is only about autopsy and dead bodies.
Pathology covers clinical pathology, histopathology, haematology, clinical chemistry, molecular pathology, and living tissue diagnosis, not just autopsy.
Microbiology is only about identifying bacteria.
Microbiology covers bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology, immunology, molecular diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance, and research, not just bacterial identification.
A master's in pathology and microbiology is redundant after a bachelor's in medical laboratory sciences.
The master's provides specialised pathology and microbiology skills, research capability, and career progression to senior laboratory, research, and academic positions.