Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry
The Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry is a doctoral programme offered at the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in biochemical processes, molecular biology and their applications to health, agriculture and industry. The programme sits at the intersection of biology and chemistry, addressing fundamental questions about life at the molecular level.
Students engage with advanced topics in protein biochemistry, enzymology, molecular biology, metabolic biochemistry, clinical biochemistry, nutritional biochemistry, biotechnology and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that applies biochemical knowledge to address Kenyan challenges in disease, nutrition, agriculture and industrial biotechnology.
Kenya's disease burden including malaria, HIV/AIDS and non-communicable diseases, the need for nutritional research and the growth of biotechnology create demand for doctoral-level biochemistry expertise. The programme supports Kenya's health research agenda and contributes to KEMRI's mission of biomedical research.
Teaching is delivered through coursework, laboratory sessions and supervised research. At the University of Nairobi, the programme is offered through the Department of Biochemistry at the College of Health Sciences, Chiromo campus. Annual tuition fees are KSh 396,000. Students use advanced biochemical techniques including chromatography, electrophoresis, spectrophotometry and molecular biology tools.
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, biochemistry researchers, clinical biochemists, biotechnologists and pharmaceutical researchers. They work in universities, KEMRI, KALRO, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and research institutes.
The programme is ideal for individuals with backgrounds in biochemistry, chemistry, biology or biotechnology who wish to contribute original research to biochemical science.
- Duration
- 3-5 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- Protein Biochemistry
- Enzymology
- Molecular Biology
- Metabolic Biochemistry
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Biotechnology Applications
- Research Methods in Biochemistry
- Bioinformatics for Biochemists
- Immunotechnology
Modules
8 in the programmeAdvanced Protein Biochemistry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Structure, function and analysis of proteins, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Enzymology and Enzyme Kinetics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Enzyme mechanisms, kinetics and applications, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Molecular Biology Techniques
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
DNA, RNA and protein molecular techniques, covering biological principles, research techniques, and their application in understanding living systems.
Metabolic Biochemistry
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Metabolic pathways and their regulation, covering chemical principles, analytical techniques, and their application in research and industrial contexts.
Clinical Biochemistry
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Biochemical basis of disease and clinical diagnostics, covering clinical principles, evidence-based practice, and contemporary challenges in healthcare delivery and research.
Research Methods in Biochemistry
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research design and methodology for biochemical 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
Nutritional Biochemistry
Biochemistry of nutrition and malnutrition
Industrial Biochemistry
Biochemical processes for industrial applications
Molecular Biology
Molecular mechanisms in health and disease
Clinical Biochemistry
Biochemical basis of disease and diagnostics
A day as a student
A typical day involves conducting biochemical assays in the laboratory, running protein purification and analysis, using molecular biology techniques, reviewing scientific literature, attending research seminars, meeting with supervisors to discuss experimental results, and preparing research findings for publication.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Kenya's disease burden creates strong demand for biochemical research
- KEMRI provides world-class research collaboration
- Skills are transferable across health, agriculture and industry
Against it
- Laboratory research requires expensive equipment and consumables
- Limited funding for biochemical research in Kenya
- Equipment maintenance can be challenging
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 243 science 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 428K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke), KU 367.2K/yr (ku.ac.ke). KeMU 168K, MKU 150K/yr.
HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. Wellcome Trust provides research grants for biomedical research in developing countries.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
Wellcome Trust Research Grant
Scholarships
3 recordedDAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
Wellcome Trust Research Grant
Grant
Biomedical researchers in developing countries
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
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 the University of Nairobi or equivalent from institutions recognised by Senate. Must submit a research proposal.
MSc in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology or related field
Relevant Masters from recognised university
How you are assessed
3 componentsCoursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Laboratory reports, practical examinations and seminar presentations
Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before departmental panel
Thesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Accreditation
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at the University of Nairobi (Department of Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Chiromo campus) and Kenyatta University (School of Pure and Applied Sciences). Application fee at UoN is KSh 3,000 for Kenyans.
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 rolesClinical Biochemist
High demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000
Clinical biochemistry at hospitals and diagnostic laboratories
University Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in biochemistry and life science departments
Pharmaceutical Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Drug development at pharmaceutical companies
Biochemistry Researcher
High demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 400,000
Research at KEMRI, KALRO and research institutes
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, biochemistry researchers, clinical biochemists and biotechnologists. They work at KEMRI, KALRO, universities, pharmaceutical companies and hospitals.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist Assistant (Junior)Health Sciences3Low exposure
- PsychologyHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Dental ProsthetistHealth Sciences4Low exposure
- Dental Laboratory TechnicianHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- General DentistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Veterinary PathologistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Community Health NurseHealth Sciences6Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Biochemistry is just about mixing chemicals.
The field covers protein science, molecular biology, metabolism, clinical diagnostics and biotechnology.
There is no demand for biochemistry PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's disease burden, nutritional challenges and biotechnology growth create strong demand.
Biochemistry research is purely laboratory work.
The programme combines laboratory research with bioinformatics, clinical research and field studies.
Biochemistry is only for medical careers.
Graduates work in agriculture, food science, industry, environment and academia.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.