Science

Master of Science in Phytochemistry and Drug Development

The Master of Science in Phytochemistry and Drug Development is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in phytochemistry, natural product chemistry, medicinal plant research, and drug development from natural sources. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in natural product research, drug discovery, pharmaceutical development, and traditional medicine standardisation.

Core areas include phytochemistry, natural product chemistry, medicinal plant research, drug discovery, extraction and isolation, structure elucidation, bioassays, pharmacognosy, drug formulation, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical phytochemistry and drug development applications.

The programme is offered by Kirinyaga University, Strathmore University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, with Kisii University as a college. JKUAT offers related MSc Medicinal Phytochemistry at KES 496,000 total. UoN offers related natural product research through its Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology. KEMRI supports natural product and drug development research.

Students develop competencies in plant extraction, compound isolation, structure elucidation, bioassay testing, drug formulation, and research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, field collections, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. JKUAT MSc Medicinal Phytochemistry total fees are KES 496,000 (~KES 248,000/year). UoN MSc Chemistry total fees are KES 723,000. Entry requires Bachelor's degree in chemistry, pharmacy, biochemistry, botany, or related fields with Upper Second or Lower with experience.

Graduates pursue careers as phytochemists, natural product researchers, drug development scientists, pharmacognosists, and lecturers in pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, regulatory bodies, and universities.

Skills Required

Phytochemistry and Plant Secondary Metabolites
Natural Product Extraction and Isolation
Structure Elucidation and Spectroscopic Analysis
Bioassays and Pharmacological Screening
Drug Discovery from Natural Sources
Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plant Science
Drug Formulation and Development
Traditional Medicine Standardisation
Chromatographic Techniques and Purification
Phytochemistry Research Methods

Key Subjects

Phytochemistry
Natural Product Chemistry
Medicinal Plant Research
Drug Discovery from Natural Sources
Extraction and Isolation Techniques
Structure Elucidation
Bioassays and Pharmacological Screening
Pharmacognosy
Drug Formulation
Phytochemistry Research Methods

Certifications

PPB Herbal Medicine Registration
GA Natural Product Certification

Specializations

Natural Product Chemistry

Focuses on natural product chemistry, secondary metabolites, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, and understanding plant chemical compounds and their properties.

Medicinal Plant Research

Examines medicinal plants, ethnobotany, traditional medicine, plant collection, plant identification, and researching medicinal plants for drug discovery.

Drug Discovery

Covers drug discovery from natural sources, lead compounds, bioassay-guided fractionation, drug screening, hit-to-lead, and discovering drugs from natural products.

Extraction and Isolation

Focuses on extraction techniques, solvent extraction, supercritical extraction, chromatographic isolation, HPLC, column chromatography, and extracting and isolating natural products.

Structure Elucidation

Examines structure elucidation, NMR, mass spectrometry, IR, UV-Vis, X-ray crystallography, and determining structures of natural compounds.

Pharmacognosy

Covers pharmacognosy, crude drugs, drug evaluation, quality control of herbal medicines, standardisation, and evaluating and standardising natural products and herbal medicines.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 130,900
Private, up to: Ksh 300,000
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

Phytochemistry
Natural Product Chemistry
Medicinal Plant Research
Drug Discovery from Natural Sources
Extraction and Isolation Techniques
Structure Elucidation
Bioassays and Pharmacological Screening
Pharmacognosy
Drug Formulation
Phytochemistry Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Phytochemistry and Plant Secondary Metabolites
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines plant secondary metabolites, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, tannins, saponins, glycosides, biosynthesis, metabolic pathways, and understanding plant chemical compounds.
Natural Product Chemistry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers natural product chemistry, biosynthesis, chemotaxonomy, natural product diversity, marine natural products, microbial natural products, and understanding natural product chemistry.
Medicinal Plant Research and Ethnobotany
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines ethnobotany, traditional medicine, plant collection, plant identification, herbarium techniques, medicinal plant conservation, and researching medicinal plants for drug discovery.
Extraction and Isolation Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers solvent extraction, maceration, percolation, Soxhlet extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, column chromatography, TLC, HPLC, flash chromatography, preparative HPLC, and extracting and isolating natural products.
Structure Elucidation and Spectroscopic Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines NMR, mass spectrometry, IR, UV-Vis, X-ray crystallography, 2D NMR, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and determining structures of natural compounds.
Bioassays and Pharmacological Screening
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers bioassays, antimicrobial testing, antioxidant assays, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, in vitro testing, in vivo testing, bioassay-guided fractionation, and screening natural products for biological activity.
Drug Discovery from Natural Sources
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines drug discovery pipeline, lead compounds, hit-to-lead, structure-activity relationships, optimisation, semi-synthesis, natural product drug discovery, and discovering drugs from natural products.
Pharmacognosy and Herbal Medicine Standardisation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers crude drugs, drug evaluation, quality control of herbal medicines, standardisation, monographs, pharmacopoeia, marker compounds, and evaluating and standardising natural products and herbal medicines.
Drug Formulation and Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines drug formulation, dosage forms, tablets, capsules, extracts, tinctures, drug delivery, stability, bioavailability, and formulating natural products into medicines.
Phytochemistry Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for phytochemistry, experimental design, laboratory methods, data analysis, spectroscopic data interpretation, and conducting phytochemistry research, preparing students for their thesis.
Traditional Medicine and Regulatory Framework
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines traditional medicine systems, traditional knowledge, intellectual property, access and benefit sharing, PPB regulations, WHO guidelines, and regulating traditional medicine and herbal products.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a phytochemistry and drug development topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and phytochemistry knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Natural Product Chemistry
Focuses on natural product chemistry, secondary metabolites, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, and understanding plant chemical compounds and their properties.
Medicinal Plant Research
Examines medicinal plants, ethnobotany, traditional medicine, plant collection, plant identification, and researching medicinal plants for drug discovery.
Drug Discovery
Covers drug discovery from natural sources, lead compounds, bioassay-guided fractionation, drug screening, hit-to-lead, and discovering drugs from natural products.
Extraction and Isolation
Focuses on extraction techniques, solvent extraction, supercritical extraction, chromatographic isolation, HPLC, column chromatography, and extracting and isolating natural products.
Structure Elucidation
Examines structure elucidation, NMR, mass spectrometry, IR, UV-Vis, X-ray crystallography, and determining structures of natural compounds.
Pharmacognosy
Covers pharmacognosy, crude drugs, drug evaluation, quality control of herbal medicines, standardisation, and evaluating and standardising natural products and herbal medicines.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Phytochemistry and Drug Development programme begins with morning lectures on phytochemistry, natural products, or drug discovery. Students engage in theoretical discussions on plant chemistry, bioactive compounds, and drug development. Phytochemistry sessions cover plant secondary metabolites, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, tannins, saponins, glycosides, and understanding plant chemical compounds. Natural product chemistry sessions examine biosynthesis, metabolic pathways, chemotaxonomy, natural product diversity, and understanding natural product chemistry. Medicinal plant research sessions cover ethnobotany, traditional medicine, plant collection, plant identification, herbarium, and researching medicinal plants for drug discovery. Extraction sessions examine solvent extraction, maceration, percolation, Soxhlet extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and extracting natural products from plants. Isolation sessions cover column chromatography, TLC, HPLC, GC, flash chromatography, preparative HPLC, and isolating natural products. Structure elucidation sessions examine NMR, mass spectrometry, IR, UV-Vis, X-ray crystallography, 2D NMR, and determining structures of natural compounds. Bioassay sessions cover bioassays, antimicrobial testing, antioxidant assays, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, in vitro testing, in vivo testing, and screening natural products for biological activity. Drug discovery sessions examine drug discovery pipeline, lead compounds, hit-to-lead, bioassay-guided fractionation, structure-activity relationships, optimisation, and discovering drugs from natural products. Pharmacognosy sessions cover crude drugs, drug evaluation, quality control of herbal medicines, standardisation, monographs, and evaluating and standardising natural products and herbal medicines. Drug formulation sessions examine drug formulation, dosage forms, tablets, capsules, extracts, tinctures, drug delivery, and formulating natural products into medicines. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with extraction, chromatography, spectroscopy, bioassays, and formulation. Field collections provide hands-on experience with plant collection, identification, and herbarium techniques. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering phytochemistry research methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from JKUAT faculty, KEMRI researchers, icipe scientists, PPB officials, traditional medicine practitioners, and international phytochemistry experts provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's rich biodiversity, traditional medicine heritage, growing herbal medicine market, pharmaceutical industry, and drug discovery needs create moderate demand for qualified phytochemistry professionals.
JKUAT offers related MSc Medicinal Phytochemistry at KES 496,000, and UoN offers related natural product research, providing established training.
Career opportunities with KEMRI, icipe, PPB, pharmaceutical companies, herbal medicine companies, research institutions, and international organisations like WHO and GA.
Programme leverages Kenya's rich medicinal plant biodiversity for drug discovery and traditional medicine validation.

Against it

Job market demand is moderate, with fewer dedicated phytochemistry positions compared to general chemistry or pharmacy.
Programme requires chemistry, pharmacy, biochemistry, botany, or related background, which may exclude some graduates.
Field collections require access to medicinal plants and natural habitats, which may be limited by conservation regulations.
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 243 science courses

Public120k to 131k

120k at Kisii University131k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

Private300k to 300k

300k at Strathmore University300k at Strathmore University

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

MMUST ~131K/yr (mmust.ac.ke). Kisii ~120K/yr. Private unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KEMRI supports natural product and drug discovery research. WHO supports traditional medicine research. icipe supports plant-insect and natural product research. GA supports medicinal plant research. The programme's phytochemistry and drug development focus attracts pharmaceutical, research, and international funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KEMRI Research Funding
WHO Traditional Medicine Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate phytochemistry and drug development studies at recognised universities.
KEMRI Research Funding
GrantKsh 400,000Kenyan
KEMRI supports medical research including natural products and drug discovery, providing funding for postgraduate research in phytochemistry and drug development.
WHO Traditional Medicine Funding
GrantKsh 300,000
WHO supports traditional medicine research globally, providing funding for postgraduate study and research in traditional medicine and natural products.

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 chemistry, pharmacy, biochemistry, botany, biomedical sciences, and related fields. JKUAT requires Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline with Upper Second or Lower with evidence of research ability. UoN requires Upper Second in Chemistry or equivalent. 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, extraction projects, structure elucidation exercises, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering phytochemistry, natural products, drug discovery, and pharmacognosy, conducted at end of each semester.
Laboratory and Field Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory work, extraction, chromatography, spectroscopy, bioassays, field collections, plant identification, and practical reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a phytochemistry and drug development topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and phytochemistry knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT offers related MSc Medicinal Phytochemistry at KES 496,000. UoN offers related natural product research through its Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate phytochemistry and drug development training. PPB regulates herbal medicines and drug registration in Kenya, and KEMRI supports natural product research.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT offers related MSc Medicinal Phytochemistry at KES 496,000. UoN offers related natural product research. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate phytochemistry and drug development training.
Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB)
Professional accreditation
PPB regulates pharmacy, medicines, and herbal medicines in Kenya. Graduates working in herbal medicine or drug development may benefit from PPB knowledge and regulatory compliance.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Phytochemist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts phytochemistry research, overseeing plant extraction, compound isolation, structure elucidation, and supporting phytochemistry research and development.
Natural Product Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts natural product research, overseeing bioassay screening, drug discovery, natural product characterisation, and supporting natural product research.
Drug Development Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Develops drugs from natural sources, overseeing lead compounds, bioassay-guided fractionation, formulation, and supporting drug development from natural products.
Pharmacognosist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Evaluates and standardises herbal medicines, overseeing quality control, standardisation, monographs, and supporting pharmacognosy and herbal medicine quality.
Research Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts scientific research, overseeing research projects, natural product studies, bioassays, and supporting research and development in phytochemistry.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches phytochemistry and drug development in universities, conducting research and training future phytochemistry professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as phytochemists, natural product researchers, and drug development scientists in pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and universities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

MestReNova
SoftwarePrimary
NMR data processing software for structure elucidation, NMR spectra analysis, 1D and 2D NMR, peak assignment, and determining structures of natural compounds.
MassLynx
SoftwarePrimary
Mass spectrometry software for LC-MS data analysis, molecular weight determination, fragmentation analysis, and analysing mass spectrometry data of natural products.
ChemDraw
Software
Chemical drawing software for natural product structures, chemical structures, reaction diagrams, and creating chemical illustrations for phytochemistry research.
SPSS
Software
Statistical software for bioassay data analysis, pharmacological data, experimental results, and statistical analysis in phytochemistry and drug development research.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Phytochemistry is just about extracting plant compounds.
The programme involves structure elucidation, bioassays, drug discovery, pharmacognosy, formulation, and research, covering comprehensive phytochemistry and drug development.
This programme is only for chemistry graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from chemistry, pharmacy, biochemistry, botany, biomedical sciences, and related fields.
There is limited demand for phytochemistry professionals in Kenya.
Kenya's rich biodiversity, traditional medicine heritage, growing herbal medicine market, pharmaceutical industry, and drug discovery needs create moderate demand for qualified phytochemistry professionals.
Drug development from plants is outdated and ineffective.
Natural products remain a major source of new drugs, with approximately 25% of prescribed medicines derived from plants, making natural product drug discovery highly relevant.
Traditional medicine and phytochemistry are incompatible.
Phytochemistry provides scientific validation and standardisation of traditional medicine, making them complementary approaches to drug discovery.
A master's in phytochemistry is redundant after a chemistry degree.
The master's provides specialised phytochemistry skills, natural product expertise, research capability, and career progression to senior research and drug development positions.