Science

Master of Science in Plant Biotechnology

The Master of Science in Plant Biotechnology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in plant molecular biology, genetic engineering, and crop improvement. The programme combines plant biotechnology theory with practical laboratory work, tissue culture, and molecular breeding application.

Core areas include plant tissue culture, molecular biology, genetic engineering, plant breeding, genomics, bioinformatics, plant-microbe interactions, biosafety and bioethics, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both biotechnology theory and practical laboratory work through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by Egerton University through the Faculty of Agriculture, Kenyatta University through the Department of Biochemistry in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences, and JKUAT through the Institute of Biotechnology Research. All are public universities offering programmes over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in plant tissue culture, molecular biology, genetic engineering, plant breeding, genomics, bioinformatics, and biosafety. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, field work, and a supervised research thesis.

Kenyatta University charges approximately KES 295,800/year for MSc in Biotechnology. JKUAT charges approximately KES 230,500/year (KES 461,000 total) for MSc in Biotechnology. Egerton University charges estimated fees for MSc in Plant Biotechnology through the Faculty of Agriculture. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in biotechnology, botany, agriculture, biochemistry, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as plant biotechnologists, molecular breeders, tissue culture specialists, research scientists, biosafety officers, and lecturers in plant biotechnology across research institutions, agricultural companies, seed companies, government agencies, and universities.

Skills Required

Plant Tissue Culture and Micropropagation
Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering
Plant Breeding and Molecular Markers
Genomics and Bioinformatics
Plant-Microbe Interactions and Pathology
Biosafety and Bioethics in Biotechnology
Genetic Transformation and CRISPR
Plant Cell and Organ Culture
Research Methods in Plant Biotechnology
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Plant Tissue Culture and Micropropagation
Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering
Plant Breeding and Molecular Markers
Genomics and Bioinformatics
Plant-Microbe Interactions and Pathology
Biosafety and Bioethics in Biotechnology
Genetic Transformation and CRISPR
Plant Cell and Organ Culture
Research Methods in Plant Biotechnology
Thesis Research

Certifications

Biosafety Certification (NBA Kenya)
International Plant Biotechnology Certification

Specializations

Plant Tissue Culture

Focuses on plant tissue culture, covering micropropagation, organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis, and managing tissue culture laboratories.

Genetic Engineering

Examines genetic engineering, covering transformation, transgenics, CRISPR, gene editing, and managing genetic engineering research.

Molecular Breeding

Covers molecular breeding, covering molecular markers, MAS, QTL mapping, genomic selection, and managing molecular breeding programmes.

Plant Genomics

Focuses on plant genomics, covering genome sequencing, transcriptomics, functional genomics, and managing genomics research.

Bioinformatics

Examines bioinformatics, covering sequence analysis, databases, computational biology, and managing bioinformatics for plant biotechnology.

Biosafety and Bioethics

Covers biosafety and bioethics, covering GMO regulation, risk assessment, containment, bioethics, and managing biosafety compliance.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 295,800
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

Plant Tissue Culture and Micropropagation
Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering
Plant Breeding and Molecular Markers
Genomics and Bioinformatics
Plant-Microbe Interactions and Pathology
Biosafety and Bioethics in Biotechnology
Genetic Transformation and CRISPR
Plant Cell and Organ Culture
Research Methods in Plant Biotechnology
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Plant Tissue Culture and Micropropagation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines micropropagation, organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis, sterilisation, media preparation, and managing tissue culture laboratories.
Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers DNA extraction, PCR, cloning, transformation, CRISPR, gene editing, and managing molecular biology and genetic engineering.
Research Methods in Plant Biotechnology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, biotechnology research methods, and conducting plant biotechnology research, preparing students for their thesis.
Plant Breeding and Molecular Markers
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines molecular markers, MAS, QTL mapping, genomic selection, conventional breeding, and managing molecular breeding programmes.
Plant Genomics and Bioinformatics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers genome sequencing, transcriptomics, functional genomics, sequence analysis, databases, and managing genomics and bioinformatics.
Plant-Microbe Interactions and Pathology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines plant pathology, symbiosis, biocontrol, plant defence, and managing plant-microbe interaction research.
Biosafety, Bioethics and Biopolicy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers GMO regulation, risk assessment, containment, bioethics, biopolicy, and managing biosafety compliance.
Genetic Transformation and Crop Improvement
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines transformation methods, transgenic crops, trait improvement, stress tolerance, and managing genetic transformation for crop improvement.
Plant Cell and Organ Culture
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers cell suspension culture, organ culture, protoplast culture, secondary metabolites, and managing plant cell and organ culture.
Biotechnology in Crop Improvement
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines biotechnology applications in crop improvement, covering disease resistance, drought tolerance, nutritional enhancement, and managing biotechnology for crop improvement.
Graduate Seminar
Year 2Semester 11 creditsCore
Covers seminar presentations, literature review, research presentations, and academic discourse in plant biotechnology.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a plant biotechnology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and biotechnology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Plant Tissue Culture
Focuses on plant tissue culture, covering micropropagation, organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis, and managing tissue culture laboratories.
Genetic Engineering
Examines genetic engineering, covering transformation, transgenics, CRISPR, gene editing, and managing genetic engineering research.
Molecular Breeding
Covers molecular breeding, covering molecular markers, MAS, QTL mapping, genomic selection, and managing molecular breeding programmes.
Plant Genomics
Focuses on plant genomics, covering genome sequencing, transcriptomics, functional genomics, and managing genomics research.
Bioinformatics
Examines bioinformatics, covering sequence analysis, databases, computational biology, and managing bioinformatics for plant biotechnology.
Biosafety and Bioethics
Covers biosafety and bioethics, covering GMO regulation, risk assessment, containment, bioethics, and managing biosafety compliance.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Plant Biotechnology programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, field work, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover plant tissue culture, molecular biology, genetic engineering, and plant breeding. Plant tissue culture sessions examine micropropagation, organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis, sterilisation, and managing tissue culture laboratories. Molecular biology sessions cover DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, sequencing, cloning, and managing molecular biology laboratory work. Genetic engineering sessions cover transformation, transgenics, CRISPR, gene editing, vectors, and managing genetic engineering. Plant breeding sessions cover molecular markers, MAS, QTL mapping, genomic selection, and managing molecular breeding. Genomics sessions cover genome sequencing, transcriptomics, functional genomics, and managing genomics research. Bioinformatics sessions cover sequence analysis, databases, computational biology, and managing bioinformatics. Plant-microbe interaction sessions cover plant pathology, symbiosis, biocontrol, and managing plant-microbe research. Biosafety sessions cover GMO regulation, risk assessment, containment, bioethics, and managing biosafety compliance. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with tissue culture, molecular biology techniques, genetic transformation, and analytical instruments. Field work provides hands-on experience with plant breeding trials, germplasm collection, and field assessments. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with PCR, sequencing, tissue culture, and bioinformatics tools. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in plant biotechnology and presenting research findings. Guest lectures from experienced biotechnologists, breeders, and industry professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a plant biotechnology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered by three public universities (Egerton, KU, JKUAT), providing institutional choice.
Plant biotechnology skills are increasingly in demand for food security, crop improvement, and climate adaptation in Kenya.
JKUAT offers competitive fees at approximately KES 230,500/year (KES 461,000 total) through the Institute of Biotechnology Research.
Graduates are eligible for biosafety certification from NBA Kenya, enhancing career prospects.

Against it

KU charges higher fees at approximately KES 295,800/year (KES 591,600 total).
Egerton specific plant biotechnology fees not independently verified.
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Career opportunities may be concentrated in research institutions and agricultural companies, with limited broader industry demand.

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

Public192k to 296k

192k at Egerton University296k at Kenyatta 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

KU ~296K/yr (ku.ac.ke). Egerton ~192K/yr. Private unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KU and Egerton may offer postgraduate bursaries and scholarships. KALRO and some agricultural research organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study. International organisations like AOCC may offer research grants and fellowships.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KU Postgraduate Scholarship
Egerton University Bursary

Scholarships

3 recorded

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

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Egerton requires a related first degree with Upper Second, or Lower Second with two years experience. KU requires Upper Second in relevant science, or Lower Second with two years experience. JKUAT requires Upper Second in Biochemistry or biological sciences with credit B in Biochemistry, or Lower Second with three years experience and a publication. 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 plant tissue culture, molecular biology, genetic engineering, and plant breeding.
Practical and Laboratory Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, tissue culture practicals, molecular biology techniques, and demonstrating biotechnology skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a plant biotechnology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and biotechnology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Egerton University, Kenyatta University, and JKUAT (all public) offer MSc in Plant Biotechnology or Biotechnology with plant specialisation. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in plant biotechnology. Graduates are eligible for biosafety certification from the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Egerton University, Kenyatta University, and JKUAT (all public) offer MSc in Plant Biotechnology or Biotechnology with plant specialisation. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in plant biotechnology. Graduates are eligible for biosafety certification from the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Plant Biotechnologist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts plant biotechnology research, overseeing tissue culture, transformation, breeding, and managing biotechnology research.
Molecular Breeder
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages molecular breeding programmes, overseeing markers, MAS, QTL, selection, and managing molecular breeding.
Tissue Culture Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages tissue culture laboratories, overseeing micropropagation, sterilisation, production, and managing tissue culture operations.
Research Scientist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 600,000
Conducts biotechnology research, overseeing experiments, analysis, publications, and managing research projects.
Biosafety Officer
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages biosafety compliance, overseeing risk assessment, containment, regulation, and managing biosafety operations.
Biotechnology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches plant biotechnology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Bioinformatics Tools (BLAST)
SoftwarePrimary
BLAST for sequence analysis, covering sequence searching, alignment, annotation, and managing bioinformatics for plant biotechnology.
SnapGene
Software
SnapGene for molecular cloning, covering plasmid design, primer design, cloning simulation, and managing molecular biology documentation.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering experimental data, breeding data, research data, and managing statistical analysis.
R Studio
Software
R Studio for data analysis, covering genomics data, bioinformatics, statistical computing, and managing biological data analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Plant biotechnology is just about genetic modification.
Plant biotechnology covers comprehensive tissue culture, molecular breeding, genomics, bioinformatics, and plant-microbe interactions beyond just genetic modification.
This programme is only for agriculture graduates.
Plant biotechnology skills are valuable for botany, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, and environmental science graduates beyond just agriculture graduates.
Tissue culture is just about growing plants in jars.
Tissue culture covers comprehensive micropropagation, organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis, sterilisation, media preparation, and commercial tissue culture laboratory management.
Genetic engineering is just about making GMOs.
Genetic engineering covers comprehensive transformation, CRISPR, gene editing, vectors, and regulatory compliance beyond just making GMOs.
Molecular breeding is just about selecting plants.
Molecular breeding covers comprehensive molecular markers, MAS, QTL mapping, genomic selection, and bioinformatics-driven breeding.
Biosafety is just about following rules.
Biosafety covers comprehensive risk assessment, containment, regulation, bioethics, and managing biosafety compliance for biotechnology products.