Master of Science in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
<p>The Master of Science in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in plant physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology research. The programme provides specialised training in photosynthesis, plant water relations, mineral nutrition, secondary metabolism, plant growth and development, and microbial physiology.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 365,500 a year at a public institution, Ksh 731,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 319,500 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of N/A (Postgraduate) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Core areas include methods and techniques in botany, biometry, photosynthesis, plant water relations, plant mineral nutrition, secondary plant metabolism, physiology of plant growth and development, physiology of higher plant reproduction, microbial physiology, research methodology, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, laboratory sessions, field work, and research.
The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Maseno University, and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. All are public universities offering plant physiology and biochemistry programmes over two years through full-time and part-time study, combining coursework with laboratory and field research.
Students develop competencies in plant physiology, biochemistry, photosynthesis research, plant nutrition, secondary metabolism, growth regulation, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory and field work, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for agricultural research, biotechnology, and academic roles.
JKUAT charges approximately KES 140,000 per year while the University of Nairobi charges approximately KES 365,500 per year. No private university confirmed offering this exact programme. Entry requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Botany, Plant Science, or a related biological science from a recognised institution.
Graduates pursue careers as plant physiologists, biochemists, agricultural researchers, biotechnologists, food scientists, and lecturers across agricultural research institutions, biotechnology companies, universities, food processing companies, and government agencies.
Skills Required
- Plant Physiology and Photosynthesis Research
- Plant Biochemistry and Metabolism
- Plant Water Relations and Mineral Nutrition
- Secondary Plant Metabolism and Natural Products
- Plant Growth and Development Physiology
- Plant Reproduction Physiology
- Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry
- Biotechnology and Plant Tissue Culture
- Research Methods in Plant Sciences
- Academic Writing and Thesis Research
Key Subjects
- Methods and Techniques in Botany
- Photosynthesis and Plant Energy
- Plant Water Relations and Mineral Nutrition
- Secondary Plant Metabolism and Natural Products
- Physiology of Plant Growth and Development
- Physiology of Higher Plant Reproduction
- Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry
- Biotechnology and Plant Tissue Culture
- Research Methodology in Plant Sciences
- Thesis Research
Certifications
- KALRO Professional Membership
- ASPB Professional Membership
Specializations
Photosynthesis Research
Focuses on photosynthesis, covering photosynthesis, light, carbon, energy, and managing photosynthesis research.
Plant Nutrition
Examines plant nutrition, covering minerals, nutrients, uptake, deficiency, and managing plant mineral nutrition.
Secondary Metabolism
Covers secondary metabolism, covering metabolites, compounds, biosynthesis, products, and managing secondary plant metabolism.
Plant Growth and Development
Focuses on plant growth, covering growth, development, hormones, regulation, and managing plant growth and development physiology.
Plant Water Relations
Examines plant water relations, covering water, relations, transport, stress, and managing plant water relations.
Plant Reproduction Physiology
Covers plant reproduction, covering reproduction, flowering, fruit, seed, and managing physiology of plant reproduction.
What you study
10 subjects- Methods and Techniques in Botany
- Photosynthesis and Plant Energy
- Plant Water Relations and Mineral Nutrition
- Secondary Plant Metabolism and Natural Products
- Physiology of Plant Growth and Development
- Physiology of Higher Plant Reproduction
- Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry
- Biotechnology and Plant Tissue Culture
- Research Methodology in Plant Sciences
- Thesis Research
Modules
12 in the programmeMethods and Techniques in Botany
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines methods, techniques, botany, identification, and managing methods and techniques in botany for plant physiology research.
Biometry, Experimentation and Methodology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers biometry, experimentation, methodology, statistics, and managing biometry and experimental methodology in plant sciences.
Photosynthesis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines photosynthesis, light, carbon, energy, and managing photosynthesis research and plant energy metabolism.
Plant Water Relations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers water, relations, transport, stress, and managing plant water relations and water stress physiology.
Plant Mineral Nutrition
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines minerals, nutrients, uptake, deficiency, and managing plant mineral nutrition and nutrient management.
Secondary Plant Metabolism
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers metabolites, compounds, biosynthesis, products, and managing secondary plant metabolism and natural product biosynthesis.
Physiology of Higher Plant Reproduction
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines reproduction, flowering, fruit, seed, and managing physiology of higher plant reproduction.
Physiology of Plant Growth and Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers growth, development, hormones, regulation, and managing physiology of plant growth and development.
Microbial Physiology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines microbial, physiology, biochemistry, metabolism, and managing microbial physiology and biochemistry.
Biotechnology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers biotechnology, tissue culture, genetics, and managing plant biotechnology and tissue culture techniques.
Research Methodology and Proposal Writing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines research, methodology, proposal, writing, and conducting research in plant physiology and biochemistry, preparing students for their thesis.
Research Project and Thesis
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a plant physiology or biochemistry topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and plant physiology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Specialisations
Photosynthesis Research
Focuses on photosynthesis, covering photosynthesis, light, carbon, energy, and managing photosynthesis research.
Plant Nutrition
Examines plant nutrition, covering minerals, nutrients, uptake, deficiency, and managing plant mineral nutrition.
Secondary Metabolism
Covers secondary metabolism, covering metabolites, compounds, biosynthesis, products, and managing secondary plant metabolism.
Plant Growth and Development
Focuses on plant growth, covering growth, development, hormones, regulation, and managing plant growth and development physiology.
Plant Water Relations
Examines plant water relations, covering water, relations, transport, stress, and managing plant water relations.
Plant Reproduction Physiology
Covers plant reproduction, covering reproduction, flowering, fruit, seed, and managing physiology of plant reproduction.
A day as a student
A typical day during the MSc in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, field work, seminars, group discussions, and independent study. Sessions cover photosynthesis, plant water relations, mineral nutrition, and secondary metabolism. Photosynthesis sessions examine photosynthesis, light, carbon, energy, and managing photosynthesis research. Plant water relations sessions cover water, relations, transport, stress, and managing plant water relations. Mineral nutrition sessions cover minerals, nutrients, uptake, deficiency, and managing plant mineral nutrition. Secondary metabolism sessions cover metabolites, compounds, biosynthesis, products, and managing secondary plant metabolism. Plant growth sessions cover growth, development, hormones, regulation, and managing plant growth and development. Plant reproduction sessions cover reproduction, flowering, fruit, seed, and managing plant reproduction physiology. Microbial physiology sessions cover microbial, physiology, biochemistry, metabolism, and managing microbial physiology. Biotechnology sessions cover biotechnology, tissue culture, genetics, and managing plant biotechnology. Research methods sessions cover research, design, methods, biometry, and conducting research in plant sciences. Laboratory sessions provide practical experience in biochemical assays, photosynthesis measurement, and plant tissue culture. Field work provides practical experience in plant sampling, growth measurement, and environmental monitoring. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings and discussing current issues in plant physiology. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a plant physiology or biochemistry topic.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Programme combines plant physiology and biochemistry, providing comprehensive training in plant science. | No private university confirmed offering this exact programme name. |
| Programme offered at multiple public universities providing choice and flexibility. | Fees vary significantly, from KES 140,000/year at JKUAT to KES 365,500/year at UoN. |
| Graduates are eligible for KALRO professional membership and ASPB membership. | Programme requires strong background in biology and chemistry for entry. |
| Programme is relevant to agriculture, biotechnology, food science, and pharmaceuticals. | Laboratory work components require significant time commitment alongside coursework. |
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 coursesAnnual 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 ~365.5K/yr, JKUAT ~178.5K/yr verified. USIU, MKU verified general rates.
HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Universities may offer scholarships for eligible students. KALRO may offer research grants for plant physiology and agricultural research. Some biotechnology companies and international organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
University Scholarship
KALRO Research Grant
Scholarships
3 recordedHELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
University Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Universities may offer scholarships for eligible postgraduate plant science students.
KALRO Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
KALRO may offer research grants for plant physiology and agricultural research.
Scholarships you could apply for
2 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Most universities require at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Botany, Plant Science, or a related field. Lower Second Class may be considered with relevant experience or evidence of research ability. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.
When it next starts
Taught at 2 institutionsIncluding Maseno University, Moi University.
Including Maseno University, Moi University.
Including Maseno University, Moi University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsCoursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, field reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering photosynthesis, plant water relations, mineral nutrition, secondary metabolism, and plant growth physiology.
Laboratory Assessment
Project40% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory sessions, demonstrating biochemical assays, photosynthesis measurement, and tissue culture techniques.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a plant physiology or biochemistry topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and plant physiology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Maseno University, and JKUAT (all public) offer MSc in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in plant physiology and biochemistry. Graduates may interact with KALRO for research collaboration and KEBS for quality standards. The programme aligns with IAPB and ASPB international plant biology standards.
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Maseno University, and JKUAT (all public) offer MSc in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in plant physiology and biochemistry. Graduates may interact with KALRO for research collaboration and KEBS for quality standards. The programme aligns with IAPB and ASPB international plant biology standards.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
6 rolesPlant Physiologist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts plant physiology research, overseeing physiology, metabolism, growth, and managing plant physiology research.
Biochemist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts biochemistry research, overseeing biochemistry, metabolism, analysis, and managing biochemistry research.
Agricultural Researcher
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts agricultural research, overseeing studies, experiments, publications, and managing agricultural research.
Biotechnologist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts plant biotechnology research, overseeing tissue culture, molecular, genetics, and managing plant biotechnology.
Food Scientist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages food science research and development, overseeing food, quality, processing, and managing food science.
Plant Science Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches plant physiology and biochemistry at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as plant physiologists, biochemists, agricultural researchers, biotechnologists, food scientists, and lecturers across agricultural research institutions, biotechnology companies, universities, food processing companies, and government agencies.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Cloud Security EngineerTechnology14Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- Industrial Robotics ProgrammerTechnology14Low exposure
- STEM Laboratory EducatorEducation14Low exposure
- TVET Competency AssessorEducation14Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Spectrophotometer
EquipmentPrimary
Spectrophotometer for biochemical assays, covering absorption, fluorescence, analysis, and managing biochemical analysis.
Chlorophyll Fluorometer
Equipment
Chlorophyll fluorometer for photosynthesis measurement, covering fluorescence, photosynthesis, measurement, and managing photosynthesis research.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis of research data, covering statistics, analysis, research, and managing research data.
Tissue Culture Equipment
Equipment
Tissue culture equipment for plant micropropagation, covering culture, propagation, regeneration, and managing plant tissue culture.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Plant physiology is just about how plants grow.
Plant physiology covers comprehensive molecular, cellular, and organismal processes including photosynthesis, metabolism, nutrition, stress responses, and reproduction beyond just growth.
This programme is only for those who want to be botanists.
Plant physiology and biochemistry skills are valuable in agriculture, biotechnology, food science, pharmaceuticals, and environmental management beyond just botany.
Plant biochemistry is not relevant to industry.
Plant biochemistry underpins industries including food processing, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, cosmetics, and agriculture through secondary metabolites and natural products.
Plant physiology has limited career opportunities in Kenya.
Kenya's agricultural sector, biotechnology industry, and research institutions create demand for plant physiology and biochemistry professionals.
Plant physiology is outdated in the age of molecular biology.
Plant physiology integrates molecular biology, genomics, and biotechnology, making it more advanced and relevant than ever.
Biochemistry is only about human health.
Plant biochemistry is equally important, underpinning food security, natural products, biofuels, and environmental sustainability.