Science

Master of Science in Plant and Microbial Science

The Master of Science in Plant and Microbial Science is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in plant science, microbiology, plant-microbe interactions, and microbial biotechnology. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in plant microbiology, microbial research, biotechnology, and agricultural microbiology.

Core areas include plant science, microbiology, plant-microbe interactions, soil microbiology, plant pathology, microbial biotechnology, mycology, bacteriology, virology, molecular microbiology, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical plant and microbial science applications.

The programme is offered by Kirinyaga University, Strathmore University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, with Kenyatta University as a college. KU offers MSc Microbiology and MSc Biotechnology through its Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology with a biosafety level 2 plant laboratory. UoN offers MSc Biological Sciences with microbiology and plant pathology specialisations at KES 731,000 total.

Students develop competencies in microbial isolation, culture, identification, plant-microbe interaction studies, molecular microbiology, biotechnology applications, and research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, field experiments, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. KU offers MSc Microbiology with 2-year duration, full-time and part-time modes. UoN MSc Biological Sciences total fees are KES 731,000. JKUAT MSc Medical Microbiology total fees are KES 357,000. Entry requires Bachelor's degree in microbiology, botany, biology, or related fields with Upper Second or Lower with experience.

Graduates pursue careers as microbiologists, plant scientists, biotechnologists, research scientists, and lecturers in research institutions, biotechnology companies, agricultural organisations, and universities.

Skills Required

Plant Science and Plant Physiology
Microbiology and Microbial Techniques
Plant-Microbe Interactions and Symbiosis
Soil Microbiology and Plant Nutrition
Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Genetics
Mycology and Fungal Biology
Bacteriology and Bacterial Pathogenesis
Virology and Plant Viral Diseases
Microbial Biotechnology and Fermentation
Plant and Microbial Science Research Methods

Key Subjects

Plant Science
Microbiology
Plant-Microbe Interactions
Soil Microbiology
Molecular Microbiology
Mycology
Bacteriology
Virology
Microbial Biotechnology
Plant and Microbial Science Research Methods

Certifications

ASM Microbiology Certification
KEPHIS Biosafety Certification

Specializations

Plant Microbiology

Focuses on plant-associated microorganisms, rhizosphere microbiology, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, endophytes, and understanding plant-microbe interactions.

Soil Microbiology

Examines soil microorganisms, nitrogen fixation, mycorrhizae, soil fertility, nutrient cycling, and understanding soil microbial communities and their roles.

Molecular Microbiology

Covers molecular microbiology, microbial genetics, gene expression, molecular techniques, PCR, sequencing, and applying molecular tools in microbiology.

Mycology

Focuses on fungal biology, fungal taxonomy, fungal pathogens, mycotoxins, yeast biotechnology, and understanding fungi and their applications.

Microbial Biotechnology

Examines microbial biotechnology, fermentation, enzyme production, biofertilizers, biopesticides, probiotics, and applying microorganisms in biotechnology.

Plant Pathology

Covers plant diseases, plant pathogens, disease diagnosis, pathogen biology, disease management, and understanding and managing plant diseases caused by microorganisms.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 354,000
Private, up to: Ksh 300,000
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

Plant Science
Microbiology
Plant-Microbe Interactions
Soil Microbiology
Molecular Microbiology
Mycology
Bacteriology
Virology
Microbial Biotechnology
Plant and Microbial Science Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Plant Science and Plant Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines plant physiology, plant biochemistry, plant development, plant nutrition, photosynthesis, respiration, hormone physiology, and understanding plant biology.
General Microbiology and Microbial Techniques
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers microbial structure, microbial growth, microbial metabolism, microbial taxonomy, bacterial genetics, staining, culture techniques, and understanding microorganisms.
Plant-Microbe Interactions and Symbiosis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines rhizosphere microbiology, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, nitrogen fixation, mycorrhizae, endophytes, plant pathogens, symbiosis, and understanding plant-microbe interactions.
Soil Microbiology and Plant Nutrition
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers soil microorganisms, nutrient cycling, nitrogen cycle, carbon cycle, decomposition, soil fertility, biofertilizers, and understanding soil microbial communities and their roles.
Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Genetics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines microbial genetics, gene expression, PCR, DNA sequencing, molecular techniques, gene cloning, transformation, and applying molecular tools in microbiology.
Mycology and Fungal Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers fungal biology, fungal taxonomy, fungal physiology, fungal pathogens, mycotoxins, yeast biotechnology, mushroom cultivation, and understanding fungi and their applications.
Bacteriology and Bacterial Pathogenesis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines bacterial structure, bacterial genetics, bacterial pathogenesis, bacterial identification, antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, and understanding bacteria and bacterial diseases.
Virology and Plant Viral Diseases
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers viral structure, viral replication, plant viruses, viral diseases, viral diagnosis, viral vectors, viral transmission, and understanding viruses and viral diseases.
Microbial Biotechnology and Fermentation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines fermentation, enzyme production, biofertilizers, biopesticides, probiotics, bioremediation, industrial microbiology, and applying microorganisms in biotechnology.
Plant and Microbial Science Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for plant and microbial science, experimental design, laboratory methods, field methods, data analysis, and conducting plant and microbial science research, preparing students for their thesis.
Environmental Microbiology and Bioremediation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines environmental microbiology, environmental microorganisms, biodegradation, bioremediation, waste treatment, environmental monitoring, and applying microbiology in environmental management.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a plant and microbial science topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and plant and microbial science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Plant Microbiology
Focuses on plant-associated microorganisms, rhizosphere microbiology, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, endophytes, and understanding plant-microbe interactions.
Soil Microbiology
Examines soil microorganisms, nitrogen fixation, mycorrhizae, soil fertility, nutrient cycling, and understanding soil microbial communities and their roles.
Molecular Microbiology
Covers molecular microbiology, microbial genetics, gene expression, molecular techniques, PCR, sequencing, and applying molecular tools in microbiology.
Mycology
Focuses on fungal biology, fungal taxonomy, fungal pathogens, mycotoxins, yeast biotechnology, and understanding fungi and their applications.
Microbial Biotechnology
Examines microbial biotechnology, fermentation, enzyme production, biofertilizers, biopesticides, probiotics, and applying microorganisms in biotechnology.
Plant Pathology
Covers plant diseases, plant pathogens, disease diagnosis, pathogen biology, disease management, and understanding and managing plant diseases caused by microorganisms.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Plant and Microbial Science programme begins with morning lectures on plant science, microbiology, or plant-microbe interactions. Students engage in theoretical discussions on microbial biology, plant physiology, and plant-microbe relationships. Plant science sessions cover plant physiology, plant biochemistry, plant development, plant nutrition, and understanding plant biology. Microbiology sessions examine microbial structure, microbial growth, microbial metabolism, microbial taxonomy, bacterial genetics, and understanding microorganisms. Plant-microbe interaction sessions cover rhizosphere microbiology, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, nitrogen fixation, mycorrhizae, endophytes, plant pathogens, symbiosis, and understanding plant-microbe interactions. Soil microbiology sessions examine soil microorganisms, nutrient cycling, nitrogen cycle, carbon cycle, decomposition, soil fertility, and understanding soil microbial communities. Molecular microbiology sessions cover microbial genetics, gene expression, PCR, DNA sequencing, molecular techniques, gene cloning, and applying molecular tools in microbiology. Mycology sessions examine fungal biology, fungal taxonomy, fungal physiology, fungal pathogens, mycotoxins, yeast, and understanding fungi. Bacteriology sessions cover bacterial structure, bacterial genetics, bacterial pathogenesis, bacterial identification, antibiotics, and understanding bacteria. Virology sessions examine viral structure, viral replication, plant viruses, viral diseases, viral diagnosis, and understanding viruses. Microbial biotechnology sessions cover fermentation, enzyme production, biofertilizers, biopesticides, probiotics, bioremediation, and applying microorganisms in biotechnology. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with microbial isolation, culture, staining, identification, molecular techniques, fermentation, and plant-microbe interaction studies. Field experiments provide hands-on experience with soil sampling, rhizosphere studies, plant disease assessment, and microbial field studies. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering plant and microbial science research methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from KU faculty, KALRO researchers, KEMRI scientists, icipe researchers, 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 agricultural sector, biotechnology industry, food security needs, soil health, and environmental management create high demand for qualified plant and microbial science professionals.
KU offers MSc Microbiology and MSc Biotechnology with a KEPHIS-approved biosafety level 2 plant laboratory, providing established training facilities.
Career opportunities with KALRO, KEMRI, icipe, biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and international organisations like ASM and IUMS.
Programme addresses Kenya's food security, soil health, biotechnology, biofertilizers, biopesticides, and environmental management needs.

Against it

Programme requires microbiology, botany, biology, or related background, which may exclude some graduates.
Laboratory work requires access to microbiology laboratories, biosafety facilities, and molecular biology equipment, which may be limited.
Strathmore fees at KES 150,000 per semester (~KES 300,000/year) are relatively expensive compared to public universities.
Programme involves handling microorganisms, requiring biosafety training and precautions.

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

Public131k to 354k

131k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology354k at University of Nairobi

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

UoN ~354K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). MMUST ~131K/yr. Private unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KALRO supports agricultural microbiology research. KEMRI supports medical microbiology research. icipe supports insect-microbe research. ASM and IUMS support microbiology professional development. The programme's plant and microbial science focus attracts research, biotechnology, and international funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KALRO Research Funding
KEMRI Research Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate plant and microbial science studies at recognised universities.
KALRO Research Funding
GrantKsh 300,000Kenyan
KALRO supports agricultural research including plant microbiology and soil microbiology, providing funding for postgraduate research in plant and microbial science.
KEMRI Research Funding
GrantKsh 400,000Kenyan
KEMRI supports medical research including microbiology and molecular microbiology, providing funding for postgraduate research in microbial science.

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 microbiology, botany, biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, agriculture, plant science, crop science, environmental science, and related fields. KU requires Upper Second in relevant field or Lower with experience. UoN requires Upper Second or Lower with experience. 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, microbiology practicals, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering plant science, microbiology, molecular microbiology, and biotechnology, conducted at end of each semester.
Laboratory Practical Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory work, microbial isolation, culture, identification, molecular techniques, fermentation, and practical reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a plant and microbial science topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and plant and microbial science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). KU offers MSc Microbiology and MSc Biotechnology through its Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology with a KEPHIS-approved biosafety level 2 plant laboratory. UoN offers MSc Biological Sciences with microbiology specialisation at KES 731,000. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate plant and microbial science training. KALRO supports agricultural microbiology research, and KEMRI supports medical microbiology research in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. KU offers MSc Microbiology and MSc Biotechnology with KEPHIS-approved biosafety level 2 plant laboratory. UoN offers MSc Biological Sciences with microbiology specialisation at KES 731,000. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate plant and microbial science training.
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
Professional accreditation
KEPHIS regulates plant health and biosafety in Kenya. KU's biosafety level 2 plant laboratory is KEPHIS-approved. Graduates working with plant microorganisms may benefit from KEPHIS knowledge and biosafety certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Microbiologist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts microbiology research, overseeing microbial studies, isolation, identification, characterisation, and supporting microbiology research and development.
Plant Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts plant science research, overseeing plant studies, plant-microbe interactions, and supporting plant science research and development.
Biotechnologist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Applies biotechnology using microorganisms, overseeing fermentation, enzyme production, biofertilizers, and supporting microbial biotechnology applications.
Research Scientist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts scientific research, overseeing research projects, microbial studies, plant-microbe studies, and supporting research and development.
Soil Microbiologist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Studies soil microorganisms, overseeing soil microbiology research, biofertilizers, soil health, and supporting soil fertility and management.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches plant and microbial science in universities, conducting research and training future microbiology and plant science professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as microbiologists, plant scientists, and biotechnologists in research institutions, biotechnology companies, and universities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

BLAST
SoftwarePrimary
Bioinformatics tool for sequence identification, sequence comparison, microbial identification, and comparing DNA sequences in molecular microbiology.
MEGA
SoftwarePrimary
Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis software for phylogenetic analysis, sequence alignment, microbial taxonomy, and molecular microbiology analysis.
SPSS
Software
Statistical software for microbiology research data analysis, microbial counts, experimental data, and statistical analysis in plant and microbial science.
GraphPad Prism
Software
Statistical and graphing software for microbiology data, plant data, microbial growth curves, and scientific data visualisation.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Plant and microbial science is just about growing bacteria in labs.
The programme involves plant physiology, molecular microbiology, plant-microbe interactions, biotechnology, mycology, virology, and research, covering comprehensive plant and microbial science.
This programme is only for microbiology graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from microbiology, botany, biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, agriculture, and related fields.
There is limited demand for plant and microbial scientists in Kenya.
Kenya's agricultural sector, biotechnology industry, food security needs, soil health, and environmental management create high demand for qualified plant and microbial science professionals.
Plant microbiology is only about plant diseases.
Plant microbiology covers beneficial plant-microbe interactions including nitrogen fixation, mycorrhizae, biofertilizers, and plant growth promotion, not just diseases.
Microbial biotechnology is only about fermentation.
Microbial biotechnology covers enzyme production, biofertilizers, biopesticides, probiotics, bioremediation, pharmaceuticals, and many other applications beyond fermentation.
A master's in plant and microbial science is redundant after a biology degree.
The master's provides specialised plant and microbial science skills, research capability, and career progression to senior research and biotechnology positions.