Agriculture

Master of Science Plant Microbial Sciences

The Master of Science in Plant Microbial Sciences is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in plant-microbe interactions, plant pathology, and microbial ecology. The programme combines plant science with microbiology and molecular biology application.

Core areas include plant pathology, plant-microbe interactions, soil microbiology, microbial ecology, plant biotechnology, molecular diagnostics, mycology, bacteriology, virology, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both plant science and microbiology through coursework, laboratory work, fieldwork, and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University. Both are public universities offering related programmes through their plant science and microbiology departments over two academic years of full-time or part-time study.

Students develop competencies in plant pathology, microbial ecology, molecular diagnostics, plant biotechnology, soil microbiology, mycology, bacteriology, virology, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, fieldwork, and a research thesis.

KU charges approximately KES 295,800/year for related microbiology programmes. UoN charges approximately KES 384,000/year for plant pathology programmes. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in biological sciences, botany, agriculture, microbiology, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as plant pathologists, microbiologists, research scientists, plant health inspectors, biotechnology specialists, and lecturers across agricultural research institutions, plant health services, biotechnology companies, and universities.

Skills Required

Plant Pathology and Disease Management
Plant-Microbe Interactions and Symbiosis
Soil Microbiology and Microbial Ecology
Molecular Diagnostics and Plant Disease Detection
Mycology and Fungal Biology
Bacteriology and Plant Bacterial Pathogens
Virology and Plant Viral Pathogens
Plant Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
Research Methods in Plant Microbial Sciences
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Plant Pathology and Disease Management
Plant-Microbe Interactions and Symbiosis
Soil Microbiology and Microbial Ecology
Molecular Diagnostics and Plant Disease Detection
Mycology and Fungal Biology
Bacteriology and Plant Bacterial Pathogens
Virology and Plant Viral Pathogens
Plant Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
Research Methods in Plant Microbial Sciences
Thesis Research

Certifications

KEPHIS Plant Health Certification
ISPP Plant Pathology Certification

Specializations

Plant Pathology

Focuses on plant pathology, covering plant diseases, pathogen biology, disease epidemiology, disease management, host-pathogen interactions, and managing plant pathology.

Soil Microbiology

Examines soil microbiology, covering soil microorganisms, nutrient cycling, biological nitrogen fixation, soil health, and managing soil microbiology.

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions

Covers molecular interactions, covering plant immunity, pathogen effectors, signalling pathways, resistance genes, and managing molecular plant-microbe interactions.

Mycology

Focuses on mycology, covering fungal taxonomy, fungal physiology, fungal ecology, mycotoxins, and managing mycological research.

Plant Biotechnology

Examines plant biotechnology, covering tissue culture, genetic transformation, molecular breeding, plant improvement, and managing plant biotechnology.

Biological Control

Covers biological control, covering biocontrol agents, microbial pesticides, integrated pest management, and managing biological control.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 384,000
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 Pathology and Disease Management
Plant-Microbe Interactions and Symbiosis
Soil Microbiology and Microbial Ecology
Molecular Diagnostics and Plant Disease Detection
Mycology and Fungal Biology
Bacteriology and Plant Bacterial Pathogens
Virology and Plant Viral Pathogens
Plant Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
Research Methods in Plant Microbial Sciences
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Plant Pathology and Disease Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines plant diseases, pathogen biology, disease epidemiology, disease management, host-pathogen interactions, and managing plant pathology.
Plant-Microbe Interactions and Symbiosis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers symbiosis, pathogenesis, mutualism, plant immunity, signalling pathways, effector biology, and managing plant-microbe interactions.
Research Methods in Plant Microbial Sciences
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, experimental design, statistical methods, and conducting plant microbial research, preparing students for their thesis.
Soil Microbiology and Microbial Ecology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines soil microorganisms, nutrient cycling, biological nitrogen fixation, soil health, rhizosphere ecology, and managing soil microbiology.
Molecular Diagnostics and Plant Disease Detection
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers PCR, ELISA, DNA sequencing, pathogen detection, molecular identification, disease surveillance, and managing molecular diagnostics.
Mycology and Fungal Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines fungal taxonomy, fungal physiology, fungal ecology, mycotoxins, fungal pathogens, and managing mycological research.
Bacteriology and Plant Bacterial Pathogens
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers bacterial taxonomy, bacterial physiology, bacterial genetics, plant bacterial pathogens, bacterial disease management, and managing bacteriological research.
Virology and Plant Viral Pathogens
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines viral taxonomy, viral structure, plant viral pathogens, viral diagnostics, viral disease management, and managing virological research.
Plant Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers tissue culture, genetic transformation, molecular breeding, plant improvement, transgenic plants, and managing plant biotechnology.
Biological Control and Integrated Pest Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines biocontrol agents, microbial pesticides, integrated pest management, ecological interactions, and managing biological control.
Plant Health Regulations and Phytosanitary Standards
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers plant health regulations, phytosanitary standards, quarantine, certification, international trade, and managing plant health compliance.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a plant microbial sciences topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and plant microbial knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Plant Pathology
Focuses on plant pathology, covering plant diseases, pathogen biology, disease epidemiology, disease management, host-pathogen interactions, and managing plant pathology.
Soil Microbiology
Examines soil microbiology, covering soil microorganisms, nutrient cycling, biological nitrogen fixation, soil health, and managing soil microbiology.
Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions
Covers molecular interactions, covering plant immunity, pathogen effectors, signalling pathways, resistance genes, and managing molecular plant-microbe interactions.
Mycology
Focuses on mycology, covering fungal taxonomy, fungal physiology, fungal ecology, mycotoxins, and managing mycological research.
Plant Biotechnology
Examines plant biotechnology, covering tissue culture, genetic transformation, molecular breeding, plant improvement, and managing plant biotechnology.
Biological Control
Covers biological control, covering biocontrol agents, microbial pesticides, integrated pest management, and managing biological control.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Plant Microbial Sciences programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, fieldwork, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover plant pathology, plant-microbe interactions, soil microbiology, molecular diagnostics, and mycology. Plant pathology sessions examine plant diseases, pathogen biology, disease epidemiology, disease management, host-pathogen interactions, and managing plant pathology. Plant-microbe interactions sessions cover symbiosis, pathogenesis, mutualism, plant immunity, signalling pathways, and managing plant-microbe interactions. Soil microbiology sessions cover soil microorganisms, nutrient cycling, biological nitrogen fixation, soil health, rhizosphere ecology, and managing soil microbiology. Molecular diagnostics sessions cover PCR, ELISA, DNA sequencing, pathogen detection, molecular identification, and managing molecular diagnostics. Mycology sessions cover fungal taxonomy, fungal physiology, fungal ecology, mycotoxins, fungal pathogens, and managing mycological research. Bacteriology sessions cover bacterial taxonomy, bacterial physiology, bacterial genetics, plant bacterial pathogens, and managing bacteriological research. Virology sessions cover viral taxonomy, viral structure, plant viral pathogens, viral diagnostics, and managing virological research. Plant biotechnology sessions cover tissue culture, genetic transformation, molecular breeding, plant improvement, and managing plant biotechnology. Biological control sessions cover biocontrol agents, microbial pesticides, integrated pest management, and managing biological control. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with microbial techniques, molecular diagnostics, plant tissue culture, pathogen isolation, and disease diagnosis. Fieldwork sessions provide practical experience with disease surveys, sample collection, field diagnosis, and plant health assessment. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in plant microbial sciences. Guest lectures from experienced plant pathologists, microbiologists, and researchers provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on a plant microbial sciences topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Steady demand for plant health professionals with growing food security concerns, plant health regulations, biotechnology advancement, and agricultural trade in Kenya.
Programme combines plant science with microbiology, molecular biology, and biotechnology, providing versatile interdisciplinary skills.
KU offers competitive fees at approximately KES 295,800/year for related microbiology programmes.
Strong industry links with KEPHIS, KALRO, and agricultural research institutions providing collaboration and career opportunities.

Against it

UoN fees are higher at approximately KES 384,000/year for plant pathology programmes.
The exact programme name may vary across institutions, potentially causing confusion for prospective students.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Programme requires biological sciences, agriculture, or microbiology background, which limits access for non-related graduates.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 303 agriculture courses

Public296k to 384k

296k at Kenyatta University384k at University of Nairobi

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 295,800/yr(spas.ku.ac.ke).UoN~384K tuition/yr.Priv unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KU may offer postgraduate bursaries for eligible students. KALRO and KEPHIS may provide research support for plant health professionals. Some agricultural organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KU Postgraduate Bursary
KALRO Research Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KU Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Kenyatta University offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
KALRO Research Support
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
KALRO and partner organisations may provide research support for plant health and agricultural research professionals.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Most universities require Upper Second Class Honours in biological sciences, botany, agriculture, or microbiology. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience are considered. Pass degree holders with at least five years of documented relevant experience may be considered. 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 plant pathology, plant-microbe interactions, soil microbiology, molecular diagnostics, and mycology.
Laboratory and Fieldwork Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, pathogen isolation, disease diagnosis, fieldwork, and demonstrating plant microbial skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a plant microbial sciences topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and plant microbial knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University (both public) offer related programmes in plant pathology, microbiology, and plant microbial sciences through their respective departments. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in plant and microbial sciences. Graduates are eligible for KEPHIS plant health certification and ISPP plant pathology certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University (both public) offer related programmes in plant pathology, microbiology, and plant microbial sciences. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in plant and microbial sciences. Graduates are eligible for KEPHIS plant health certification and ISPP plant pathology certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Plant Pathologist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts plant pathology research, overseeing disease diagnosis, pathogen identification, disease management, and managing plant pathology.
Microbiologist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts microbiological research, overseeing microbial analysis, isolation, characterisation, and managing microbiological research.
Research Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts scientific research, overseeing research design, experimentation, analysis, publication, and managing scientific research.
Plant Health Inspector
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Inspects plant health, overseeing quarantine, certification, disease surveillance, phytosanitary compliance, and managing plant health.
Biotechnology Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Develops biotechnology solutions, overseeing tissue culture, genetic transformation, molecular breeding, and managing plant biotechnology.
Plant Science Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches plant microbial sciences at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, laboratory supervision, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R
SoftwarePrimary
R for statistical analysis, covering experimental design, disease epidemiology, data analysis, and managing research data.
Python
Software
Python for bioinformatics and data analysis, covering biopython, sequence analysis, molecular data, and managing biological data.
BLAST
Software
BLAST for sequence analysis, covering DNA sequence comparison, pathogen identification, sequence alignment, and managing molecular data.
GIS Software
Software
GIS for spatial analysis, covering disease mapping, distribution modelling, spatial epidemiology, and managing spatial data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Plant microbial sciences is just about plant diseases.
Plant microbial sciences covers comprehensive plant-microbe interactions, soil microbiology, microbial ecology, biotechnology, molecular diagnostics, and beneficial microbes beyond just plant diseases.
This programme is only for those who want to work in agriculture.
Plant microbial sciences skills are valuable for biotechnology, environmental management, food security, pharmaceutical industry, and research beyond just agriculture.
Plant pathology has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing food security concerns, plant health regulations, biotechnology advancement, and agricultural trade, demand for plant pathology professionals is steady in Kenya.
Soil microbiology is just about soil testing.
Soil microbiology covers comprehensive soil microorganisms, nutrient cycling, biological nitrogen fixation, soil health, rhizosphere ecology, and sustainable agriculture.
Molecular diagnostics is just about DNA testing.
Molecular diagnostics covers comprehensive PCR, ELISA, DNA sequencing, pathogen detection, molecular identification, and disease surveillance.
Biological control is just about using natural enemies.
Biological control covers comprehensive biocontrol agents, microbial pesticides, integrated pest management, ecological interactions, and sustainable agriculture.