Agriculture

Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Breeding and Genetics

The Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Breeding and Genetics is a doctoral programme offered at JKUAT and the University of Nairobi. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in animal genetics, breeding programmes and genomic selection for livestock improvement. The programme combines quantitative genetics with molecular biology to develop improved livestock breeds for Kenya and East Africa.

Students engage with advanced topics in quantitative genetics, molecular genetics, animal breeding programmes, genomic selection, population genetics, bioinformatics, livestock production systems and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops breeding strategies for indigenous and exotic livestock breeds adapted to Kenyan conditions.

Kenya's livestock sector contributes significantly to the agricultural GDP, with dairy, beef, sheep, goats and poultry production being major enterprises. The need for improved breeds, disease resistance and climate adaptation creates demand for doctoral-level breeding and genetics expertise. The programme supports Kenya's livestock improvement agenda and food security goals.

Teaching is delivered through coursework, laboratory sessions and supervised research. At the University of Nairobi, the programme is coded J86 with tuition fees of KSh 396,000 per year. Students use molecular biology techniques, analyse genetic data and conduct breeding experiments. The programme is offered full-time and part-time with a minimum duration of three years.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, animal breeding researchers, geneticists at livestock breeding companies, livestock policy advisors and conservation geneticists. They work in universities, KALRO, Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre, breeding companies and international research organisations.

The programme is ideal for individuals with backgrounds in animal science, genetics, veterinary medicine or biotechnology who wish to contribute original research to livestock genetic improvement.

Duration: 3-4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 428,000
Private, up to: Ksh 168,000
Job market: High

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: 4 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Quantitative Genetics
Molecular Genetics
Animal Breeding Programmes
Genomic Selection
Population Genetics
Bioinformatics for Animal Genetics
Livestock Production Systems
Research Methods in Animal Science
Conservation Genetics
Genetic Improvement Strategies

Modules

8 in the programme

Advanced Quantitative Genetics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Statistical genetics applied to animal breeding and selection, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Molecular Genetics of Livestock
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Molecular techniques for studying animal genomes, covering genetic principles, molecular techniques, and their application in heredity and biotechnology research.
Animal Breeding Programme Design
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Design and evaluation of livestock breeding programmes, covering design principles, methodologies, and practical approaches to creating effective solutions in professional contexts.
Genomic Selection
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Genomic tools for genetic improvement of livestock, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Population Genetics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Genetic variation in animal populations and conservation, covering genetic principles, molecular techniques, and their application in heredity and biotechnology research.
Research Methods in Animal Science
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research design and methodology for animal genetics research, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level.
Departmental Seminars
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research presentations and peer review of doctoral work, providing a platform for doctoral candidates to present research findings, engage with peer feedback, and explore contemporary debates in.
Thesis Research
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Doctoral thesis research and dissertation writing, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation contributing new knowledge to the.

Specialisations

Genomic Selection
Genomic tools for livestock improvement
Poultry Genetics
Genetic improvement of poultry
Indigenous Breed Conservation
Conservation genetics of indigenous livestock
Dairy Cattle Breeding
Genetic improvement of dairy cattle

A day as a student

A typical day involves extracting DNA from animal tissue samples, running PCR and gel electrophoresis, analysing genetic data using bioinformatics tools, reviewing literature on animal genetics, attending seminars on breeding programmes, meeting with supervisors to discuss experimental results, and visiting livestock breeding stations for field research.

The trade offs

In its favour

ILRI headquartered in Nairobi provides world-class research collaboration
Kenya's livestock sector is large and growing, creating demand
Research directly improves livestock productivity and food security

Against it

Laboratory research requires expensive molecular biology equipment
Animal breeding experiments require long timeframes
Limited number of supervisors with genetics specialisation

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

Public170k to 428k

170k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology428k at University of Nairobi

Private150k to 168k

150k at Mount Kenya University168k at Kenya Methodist 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

UoN 428,000/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). JKUAT ~170K/yr. Private: KeMU 168,000, MKU 150,000/yr

HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. ILRI provides research grants and collaboration opportunities for livestock genetics research in Africa.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ILRI Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
ILRI Research Grant
Grant
Livestock researchers in Africa

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: Masters Degree
Alternative entry: Holder of relevant Masters degree from a recognised university. Must submit a research proposal.

MSc in Animal Science, Animal Breeding, Genetics, Veterinary Medicine or related field
Relevant Masters from recognised university

How you are assessed

3 components

Thesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Laboratory reports, genetic analysis exercises and seminar presentations
Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before departmental panel

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at JKUAT and the University of Nairobi (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, programme code J86). ILRI provides research collaboration opportunities.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Conservation Geneticist
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 380,000
Conserving indigenous animal genetic resources
Breeding Company Geneticist
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Designing breeding programmes at livestock breeding companies
Animal Breeding Researcher
High demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000
Research at KALRO, ILRI and international research institutes
University Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in animal science and genetics departments

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, animal breeding researchers, geneticists at breeding companies and conservation geneticists. They work at KALRO, ILRI, KAGRC, universities and breeding companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Animal breeding and genetics is just about mating animals.
The field uses quantitative genetics, molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics to develop breeding strategies.
There is no demand for animal genetics PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's livestock sector and indigenous breed conservation create strong demand for genetics expertise.
Animal genetics research is not relevant to developing countries.
Research focuses on indigenous breed improvement, disease resistance and climate adaptation.
Only veterinarians study animal genetics.
The programme attracts animal scientists, biotechnologists and geneticists.