Health Sciences

Master of Science in Zoology/Master of Science in Zoology (Animal Physiology)

The Master of Science in Zoology (Animal Physiology) is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in animal physiology, comparative physiology, and physiological research. The programme provides specialised training in comparative physiology, ecological physiology, reproductive physiology, muscle physiology, and biochemical physiology.

Core areas include comparative physiology, ecological physiology, enzyme synthesis and control, biochemistry of nucleic acids, muscle physiology, reproductive physiology, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, laboratory sessions, and research.

The programme is offered by multiple public institutions including Kenyatta University, Chuka University, Egerton University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. Kenyatta University offers the programme through the School of Pure and Applied Sciences with full-time mode over two years.

Students develop competencies in animal physiology, comparative analysis, ecological adaptation, reproductive biology, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory sessions, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for physiological research and academic roles.

Kenyatta University charges approximately KES 326,400 per year while MMUST charges approximately KES 124,000 per year. No private university confirmed offering this exact programme. Entry requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Physiology, or a related field from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as physiologists, research scientists, biomedical researchers, animal physiologists, conservation physiologists, and lecturers across research institutions, universities, healthcare organisations, and government agencies.

Skills Required

Comparative Physiology and Adaptation
Ecological Physiology and Environmental Adaptation
Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology
Muscle Physiology and Biomechanics
Enzyme Synthesis and Metabolic Control
Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids
Physiological Measurement Techniques
One Health Principles and Practice
Research Methods in Animal Physiology
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Comparative Physiology and Adaptation
Ecological Physiology and Environmental Adaptation
Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology
Muscle Physiology and Biomechanics
Enzyme Synthesis and Metabolic Control
Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids
Physiological Measurement Techniques
One Health Principles and Practice
Research Methods in Animal Physiology
Thesis Research

Certifications

SICB Professional Membership
APS Professional Membership

Specializations

Comparative Physiology

Focuses on comparative physiology, covering comparative, physiology, adaptation, animals, and managing comparative physiology and adaptation.

Ecological Physiology

Examines ecological physiology, covering ecological, physiology, environment, adaptation, and managing ecological physiology and adaptation.

Reproductive Physiology

Covers reproductive physiology, covering reproductive, physiology, endocrinology, hormones, and managing reproductive physiology and endocrinology.

Muscle Physiology

Focuses on muscle physiology, covering muscle, physiology, biomechanics, contraction, and managing muscle physiology and biomechanics.

Biochemical Physiology

Examines biochemical physiology, covering biochemical, physiology, enzymes, metabolism, and managing biochemical physiology and metabolism.

One Health and Disease Physiology

Covers one health, covering one, health, disease, physiology, and managing one health principles and disease physiology.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 326,400
Private, up to: Ksh 319,500
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

Comparative Physiology and Adaptation
Ecological Physiology and Environmental Adaptation
Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology
Muscle Physiology and Biomechanics
Enzyme Synthesis and Metabolic Control
Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids
Physiological Measurement Techniques
One Health Principles and Practice
Research Methods in Animal Physiology
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Comparative Physiology and Adaptation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines comparative physiology, covering comparative, physiology, adaptation, animals, and managing comparative physiology and adaptation.
Ecological Physiology and Environmental Adaptation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers ecological physiology, covering ecological, physiology, environment, adaptation, and managing ecological physiology and adaptation.
Enzyme Synthesis and Metabolic Control
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines enzyme synthesis, covering enzyme, synthesis, metabolic, control, and managing enzyme synthesis and metabolic control.
Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers nucleic acid biochemistry, covering nucleic, acids, biochemistry, DNA, and managing biochemistry of nucleic acids.
Muscle Physiology and Biomechanics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines muscle physiology, covering muscle, physiology, biomechanics, contraction, and managing muscle physiology and biomechanics.
Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers reproductive physiology, covering reproductive, physiology, endocrinology, hormones, and managing reproductive physiology and endocrinology.
Physiological Measurement Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines measurement techniques, covering measurement, techniques, physiological, instruments, and managing physiological measurement and techniques.
Research Methods in Animal Physiology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research, methods, physiology, statistics, and conducting research in animal physiology, preparing students for their thesis.
One Health Principles and Practice
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines one health, covering one, health, disease, physiology, and managing one health principles and practice.
Advanced Comparative Physiology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers advanced comparative physiology, covering advanced, comparative, physiology, adaptation, and managing advanced comparative physiology.
Environmental Stress Physiology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines environmental stress, covering environmental, stress, physiology, adaptation, and managing environmental stress physiology.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on an animal physiology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and physiological knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Comparative Physiology
Focuses on comparative physiology, covering comparative, physiology, adaptation, animals, and managing comparative physiology and adaptation.
Ecological Physiology
Examines ecological physiology, covering ecological, physiology, environment, adaptation, and managing ecological physiology and adaptation.
Reproductive Physiology
Covers reproductive physiology, covering reproductive, physiology, endocrinology, hormones, and managing reproductive physiology and endocrinology.
Muscle Physiology
Focuses on muscle physiology, covering muscle, physiology, biomechanics, contraction, and managing muscle physiology and biomechanics.
Biochemical Physiology
Examines biochemical physiology, covering biochemical, physiology, enzymes, metabolism, and managing biochemical physiology and metabolism.
One Health and Disease Physiology
Covers one health, covering one, health, disease, physiology, and managing one health principles and disease physiology.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Zoology (Animal Physiology) programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover comparative physiology, ecological physiology, reproductive physiology, muscle physiology, and biochemical physiology. Comparative physiology sessions examine comparative, physiology, adaptation, animals, and managing comparative physiology. Ecological physiology sessions cover ecological, physiology, environment, adaptation, and managing ecological physiology. Reproductive physiology sessions cover reproductive, physiology, endocrinology, hormones, and managing reproductive physiology. Muscle physiology sessions cover muscle, physiology, biomechanics, contraction, and managing muscle physiology. Biochemical physiology sessions cover biochemical, physiology, enzymes, metabolism, and managing biochemical physiology. One health sessions cover one, health, disease, physiology, and managing one health principles. Laboratory sessions provide practical experience in physiological measurement, enzyme analysis, and tissue preparation. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on an animal physiology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme is offered by multiple public universities, providing options for students.
Programme includes One Health principles, aligning with current global health trends.
Graduates are eligible for SICB and APS international professional membership.
Programme covers diverse specialisations from comparative to ecological to reproductive physiology.

Against it

Significant fee difference between MMUST (KES 124,000/year) and Kenyatta University (KES 326,400/year).
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Animal physiology jobs are competitive and may require specialised laboratory experience.
Laboratory work requires access to specialised equipment which may be limited in some institutions.

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 courses

Public124k to 326k

124k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology326k at Kenyatta University

Private149k to 320k

149k at Mount Kenya University320k at United States International University Africa

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 ~326.4K/yr verified (KU masters page). MMUST, USIU, MKU partially verified.

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

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
University Scholarship
APS Fellowship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
University Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 326,400Kenyan
KU, Chuka, Egerton, and MMUST may offer scholarships for eligible postgraduate animal physiology students.
APS Fellowship
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
SICB and APS may offer fellowships for physiology 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: Kenyatta University, Chuka University, Egerton University, and MMUST 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, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering comparative physiology, ecological physiology, reproductive physiology, and biochemical physiology.
Practical Assessment
Project40% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory sessions, demonstrating physiological measurement, enzyme analysis, and tissue preparation skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on an animal physiology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and physiological knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University (public) offers MSc in Animal Physiology through the School of Pure and Applied Sciences. Chuka University (public) offers MSc in Zoology (Animal Physiology). Egerton University (public) offers MSc in Animal Physiology. MMUST (public) offers MSc in Zoology (Animal Physiology). The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in animal physiology. Graduates may interact with SICB and APS for international physiology standards. The programme aligns with CUE and SICB global physiological science frameworks.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University (public) offers MSc in Animal Physiology through the School of Pure and Applied Sciences. Chuka University (public) offers MSc in Zoology (Animal Physiology). Egerton University (public) offers MSc in Animal Physiology. MMUST (public) offers MSc in Zoology (Animal Physiology). The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in animal physiology. Graduates may interact with SICB and APS for international physiology standards. The programme aligns with CUE and SICB global physiological science frameworks.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Physiologist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 380,000
Conducts physiological research, covering physiology, research, animals, biology, and managing physiological research and analysis.
Research Scientist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts scientific research in physiology, covering research, science, physiology, analysis, and managing scientific research and analysis.
Biomedical Researcher
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts biomedical research, covering biomedical, research, physiology, analysis, and managing biomedical research and analysis.
Animal Physiologist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 380,000
Studies animal physiology, covering animal, physiology, research, biology, and managing animal physiology and research.
Conservation Physiologist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 380,000
Applies physiology to conservation, covering conservation, physiology, wildlife, research, and managing conservation physiology and research.
Physiology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches physiology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Physiological Monitoring Equipment
EquipmentPrimary
Physiological monitoring equipment for measuring heart rate, respiration, and metabolic rates, covering monitoring, physiological, measurement, equipment, and managing physiological monitoring.
Spectrophotometer
Equipment
Spectrophotometer for biochemical analysis and enzyme assays, covering spectrophotometer, biochemical, analysis, enzyme, and managing biochemical analysis.
Microscope
Equipment
Microscope for tissue examination and cellular physiology, covering microscopy, tissue, cellular, physiology, and managing tissue examination.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for physiological data analysis, covering statistics, data, analysis, physiology, and managing physiological data analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Animal physiology is just about studying animal organs.
Animal physiology covers comparative adaptation, ecological responses, reproductive endocrinology, and biochemical processes beyond just organ study.
This programme is only for veterinary graduates.
Animal physiology is for professionals from zoology, biology, biomedical science, and related fields, not just veterinary graduates.
Animal physiology has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Physiology graduates are in demand in research institutions, universities, healthcare organisations, and environmental agencies.
This programme is the same as human physiology.
Animal physiology focuses on comparative and ecological aspects across animal species, distinct from human physiology which focuses on the human body.
Animal physiology is outdated and purely descriptive.
Modern animal physiology incorporates molecular biology, biochemistry, and advanced analytical techniques alongside traditional approaches.
You can only work in academia with this degree.
Graduates work in research institutions, conservation organisations, healthcare, pharmaceutical companies, and environmental agencies, not just academia.