Science

Master of Science in Zoology

The Master of Science in Zoology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in animal biology, ecology, physiology, and conservation. The programme provides specialised training in animal ecology, parasitology, entomology, animal physiology, and conservation biology.

Core areas include animal ecology, parasitology, entomology, animal physiology, conservation biology, genetics, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, laboratory sessions, fieldwork, and research.

The programme is offered by multiple public institutions including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, University of Eldoret, and Pwani University. JKUAT offers the programme through the Department of Zoology with full-time and part-time modes over two to three years.

Students develop competencies in animal biology, ecological analysis, parasitology, entomology, conservation, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory sessions, fieldwork, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for zoological research and conservation roles.

JKUAT charges approximately KES 178,750 per year while Pwani University charges approximately KES 130,000 per year. No private university confirmed offering this exact programme. Entry requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Zoology, Biology, or a related field from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as zoologists, ecologists, parasitologists, entomologists, conservation biologists, and lecturers across research institutions, conservation organisations, universities, and government agencies.

Skills Required

Animal Ecology and Population Biology
Parasitology and Disease Ecology
Entomology and Insect Science
Animal Physiology and Adaptation
Conservation Biology and Biodiversity
Wildlife Population Monitoring
Taxonomy and Systematics
GIS and Spatial Analysis in Ecology
Research Methods in Zoology
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Animal Ecology and Population Biology
Parasitology and Disease Ecology
Entomology and Insect Science
Animal Physiology and Adaptation
Conservation Biology and Biodiversity
Wildlife Population Monitoring
Taxonomy and Systematics
Research Methods in Zoology
GIS and Spatial Analysis in Ecology
Thesis Research

Certifications

SICB Professional Membership
IUCN Professional Membership

Specializations

Animal Ecology

Focuses on animal ecology, covering animal, ecology, population, dynamics, and managing animal ecology and population dynamics.

Parasitology

Examines parasitology, covering parasitology, parasites, disease, ecology, and managing parasitology and disease ecology.

Entomology

Covers entomology, covering entomology, insects, pest, management, and managing entomology and insect science.

Animal Physiology

Focuses on animal physiology, covering animal, physiology, adaptation, biology, and managing animal physiology and adaptation.

Conservation Biology

Examines conservation biology, covering conservation, biology, biodiversity, species, and managing conservation biology and biodiversity.

Taxonomy and Systematics

Covers taxonomy, covering taxonomy, systematics, classification, species, and managing taxonomy and systematics.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 326,400
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

Animal Ecology and Population Biology
Parasitology and Disease Ecology
Entomology and Insect Science
Animal Physiology and Adaptation
Conservation Biology and Biodiversity
Wildlife Population Monitoring
Taxonomy and Systematics
Research Methods in Zoology
GIS and Spatial Analysis in Ecology
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Animal Ecology and Population Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines animal ecology, covering animal, ecology, population, dynamics, and managing animal ecology and population dynamics.
Parasitology and Disease Ecology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers parasitology, covering parasitology, parasites, disease, ecology, and managing parasitology and disease ecology.
Entomology and Insect Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines entomology, covering entomology, insects, pest, management, and managing entomology and insect science.
Animal Physiology and Adaptation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers animal physiology, covering animal, physiology, adaptation, biology, and managing animal physiology and adaptation.
Conservation Biology and Biodiversity
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines conservation biology, covering conservation, biology, biodiversity, species, and managing conservation biology and biodiversity.
Taxonomy and Systematics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers taxonomy, covering taxonomy, systematics, classification, species, and managing taxonomy and systematics.
Wildlife Population Monitoring
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines population monitoring, covering population, monitoring, wildlife, survey, and managing wildlife population monitoring and surveys.
Research Methods in Zoology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research, methods, zoology, statistics, and conducting research in zoology, preparing students for their thesis.
GIS and Spatial Analysis in Ecology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines GIS for ecology, covering GIS, spatial, analysis, ecology, and managing GIS and spatial analysis in ecology.
Molecular Zoology and Genetics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers molecular zoology, covering molecular, zoology, genetics, DNA, and managing molecular zoology and genetics.
Applied Zoology and Pest Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines applied zoology, covering applied, zoology, pest, management, and managing applied zoology and pest management.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a zoology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and zoological knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Animal Ecology
Focuses on animal ecology, covering animal, ecology, population, dynamics, and managing animal ecology and population dynamics.
Parasitology
Examines parasitology, covering parasitology, parasites, disease, ecology, and managing parasitology and disease ecology.
Entomology
Covers entomology, covering entomology, insects, pest, management, and managing entomology and insect science.
Animal Physiology
Focuses on animal physiology, covering animal, physiology, adaptation, biology, and managing animal physiology and adaptation.
Conservation Biology
Examines conservation biology, covering conservation, biology, biodiversity, species, and managing conservation biology and biodiversity.
Taxonomy and Systematics
Covers taxonomy, covering taxonomy, systematics, classification, species, and managing taxonomy and systematics.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Zoology programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, fieldwork, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover animal ecology, parasitology, entomology, animal physiology, and conservation biology. Animal ecology sessions examine animal, ecology, population, dynamics, and managing animal ecology. Parasitology sessions cover parasitology, parasites, disease, ecology, and managing parasitology. Entomology sessions cover entomology, insects, pest, management, and managing entomology. Animal physiology sessions cover animal, physiology, adaptation, biology, and managing animal physiology. Conservation biology sessions cover conservation, biology, biodiversity, species, and managing conservation biology. Taxonomy sessions cover taxonomy, systematics, classification, species, and managing taxonomy. Laboratory sessions provide practical experience in specimen identification, dissection, and parasitological techniques. Fieldwork provides practical experience in wildlife surveys and ecological monitoring. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a zoology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme is offered by multiple public universities, providing options for students.
JKUAT offers both full-time and part-time modes, providing flexibility for students.
Programme covers diverse specialisations including ecology, parasitology, entomology, and conservation.
Graduates are eligible for IUCN and SICB international professional membership.

Against it

Fee data for University of Eldoret was not verified from official sources.
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Zoology jobs are competitive and may require specialised field experience.
Fieldwork can be physically demanding and may require extended periods in remote areas.

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

Public155k to 326k

155k at Pwani University326k 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 326K/yr ku.ac.ke; Pwani 155K/yr pu.ac.ke. Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Universities may offer scholarships for eligible students. IUCN and SICB may offer fellowships for zoological research and education.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
University Scholarship
IUCN Fellowship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
University Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 178,750Kenyan
JKUAT, UoE, and Pwani University may offer scholarships for eligible postgraduate zoology students.
IUCN Fellowship
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
IUCN and SICB may offer fellowships for zoological research and education.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: JKUAT, UoE, and Pwani University require at least Upper Second Class Honours in a relevant degree. Lower Second Class may be considered with at least two years of relevant work experience. 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, fieldwork reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering animal ecology, parasitology, entomology, animal physiology, and conservation biology.
Practical Assessment
Project40% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory sessions and fieldwork, demonstrating specimen identification, dissection, and ecological survey skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a zoology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and zoological knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT (public) offers MSc in Zoology through the Department of Zoology. University of Eldoret (public) offers MSc in Zoology through the School of Science. Pwani University (public) offers MSc in General Zoology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in zoology. Graduates may interact with IUCN for conservation standards and SICB for international zoological standards. The programme aligns with CUE and SICB global zoological science frameworks.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT (public) offers MSc in Zoology through the Department of Zoology. University of Eldoret (public) offers MSc in Zoology through the School of Science. Pwani University (public) offers MSc in General Zoology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in zoology. Graduates may interact with IUCN for conservation standards and SICB for international zoological standards. The programme aligns with CUE and SICB global zoological science frameworks.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Zoologist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Conducts zoological research, covering zoology, research, animals, biology, and managing zoological research and analysis.
Ecologist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 380,000
Conducts ecological research, covering ecology, research, environment, analysis, and managing ecological research and analysis.
Parasitologist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 380,000
Conducts parasitological research, covering parasitology, research, parasites, disease, and managing parasitological research and analysis.
Entomologist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 380,000
Conducts entomological research, covering entomology, research, insects, pest, and managing entomological research and analysis.
Conservation Biologist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Implements conservation programmes, covering conservation, biology, biodiversity, species, and managing conservation programmes and biodiversity.
Zoology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches zoology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R Statistical Software
SoftwarePrimary
R for ecological data analysis and statistical modelling, covering R, statistics, data, ecology, and managing ecological data analysis.
ArcGIS
Software
ArcGIS for spatial analysis in ecology, covering GIS, spatial, analysis, ecology, and managing spatial analysis and ecology.
Microscope
Equipment
Microscope for taxonomic identification and parasitological analysis, covering microscopy, taxonomy, identification, parasitology, and managing specimen identification.
MARK
Software
MARK for population analysis and mark-recapture modelling, covering mark, recapture, population, analysis, and managing population analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Zoology is just about studying animals in zoos.
Zoology covers ecology, physiology, parasitology, entomology, and conservation across all animal species, not just zoo animals.
This programme is only for biology graduates.
Zoology is for professionals from environmental science, agriculture, veterinary science, and related fields, not just biology graduates.
Zoology has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Zoology graduates are in demand in research institutions, conservation organisations, universities, and government agencies.
This programme is the same as veterinary science.
Zoology focuses on animal biology and ecology, distinct from veterinary science which focuses on animal health and treatment.
Zoology is outdated and purely descriptive.
Modern zoology incorporates molecular biology, genetics, GIS, and advanced analytical techniques alongside traditional approaches.
You can only work in academia with this degree.
Graduates work in conservation organisations, government agencies, research institutions, and environmental consulting, not just academia.