Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics
The Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics is a doctoral programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (CEBIB). It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research at the intersection of biology, computer science and information technology. The programme applies computational methods to solve biological problems, analysing large datasets from genomics, proteomics and molecular biology.
Students engage with advanced topics in computational biology, genomic data analysis, protein structure prediction, biological databases, machine learning for biology, sequence analysis, systems biology and research methods. The programme is by research only, requiring students to complete a research project and present findings in a thesis. Students must publish at least two research articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Kenya's growing genomics research capacity, the need for computational analysis of disease data at KEMRI and the expansion of biotechnology create demand for doctoral-level bioinformatics expertise. The programme supports Kenya's science, technology and innovation agenda and contributes to precision medicine and agricultural genomics.
Teaching is delivered through supervised research at CEBIB, with blended learning and opportunities to undertake projects at collaborating institutions. The programme runs for a minimum of six semesters of 15 weeks each and a maximum of fourteen semesters. Annual tuition fees are KSh 396,000, with Year 1 total of KSh 428,000.
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, bioinformatics researchers, computational biologists, genomics scientists and data scientists in biotechnology. They work in universities, KEMRI, KALRO, international research institutes and biotechnology companies.
The programme is ideal for individuals with backgrounds in biological sciences, computer science, mathematics or bioinformatics who wish to contribute original research to computational biology.
- Duration
- 3-7 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 428,000
- Private, up to
- Ksh 150,000
- 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
- 3 students
- Award
- PhD
What you study
10 subjects- Computational Biology
- Genomic Data Analysis
- Protein Structure Prediction
- Biological Database Management
- Machine Learning for Biology
- Sequence Analysis and Alignment
- Systems Biology
- Research Methods in Bioinformatics
- Statistical Methods in Genomics
- Algorithm Design for Biological Data
Modules
8 in the programmeAdvanced Computational Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Computational methods for biological research, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Genomic Data Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of genome-scale data including sequencing data, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and current analytical techniques used in advanced research and professional.
Machine Learning for Biology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Machine learning methods applied to biological problems, examining pedagogical theories, educational frameworks, and their application in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.
Biological Database Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Design and management of biological databases, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.
Systems Biology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Computational modelling of biological systems, covering biological principles, research techniques, and their application in understanding living systems.
Research Methods in Bioinformatics
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research design and methodology for bioinformatics 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 with requirement of two peer-reviewed publications, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation.
Specialisations
Genomic Bioinformatics
Computational analysis of genomic data
Protein Bioinformatics
Protein structure prediction and analysis
Systems Biology
Computational modelling of biological systems
Machine Learning in Biology
Machine learning applications in biological research
A day as a student
A typical day involves analysing genomic datasets using bioinformatics tools and programming languages such as Python and R, developing computational pipelines, reviewing literature on computational biology, attending seminars on bioinformatics, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and collaborating with biological researchers on data analysis.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Growing demand for bioinformatics skills in genomics and biotechnology
- CEBIB provides dedicated research environment at UoN
- Programme requires peer-reviewed publications ensuring research quality
Against it
- Requires both biological and computational skills
- Limited high-performance computing infrastructure in Kenya
- Limited funding for bioinformatics research
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 191 technology 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(biochemistry.uonbi.ac.ke). TUK 288.6K(TUK portal). MKU 150K(mku.ac.ke). Strathmore unverified
HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. NACOSTI provides research grants for science and technology research. CEBIB may offer research collaboration opportunities with international institutions.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
NACOSTI Research Grant
Scholarships
3 recordedNACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers in Kenya
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- Masters Degree
- Alternative entry
- Holders of MSc in Biological and Physical Sciences, Bioinformatics, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry from UoN or equivalent from a recognised university. Must submit a detailed doctoral research proposal at the time of applying.
MSc in Biological Sciences, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy or Dentistry
Relevant Masters from recognised university
How you are assessed
3 componentsResearch Proposal
Proposal20% of the mark
Detailed doctoral research proposal submitted at admission
Progress Reports
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Semester progress reports submitted to Graduate School through supervisors
Thesis and Publications
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis and at least two peer-reviewed journal articles
Accreditation
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at the University of Nairobi (Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, CEBIB). Programme code I837. The programme is by research only, requiring a thesis and at least two peer-reviewed publications. Aligned to UNESCO ISCED-F 2013 standards.
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 rolesBioinformatics Researcher
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Research at KEMRI, KALRO, CEBIB and international research institutes
Computational Biologist
High demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000
Computational analysis at biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies
Genomics Scientist
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Genomics research at research institutes and biotechnology companies
University Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in bioinformatics and computational biology
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, bioinformatics researchers, computational biologists and genomics scientists. They work at KEMRI, KALRO, CEBIB, universities and biotechnology companies.
Where these fields lead
8 careersCertifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Bioinformatics is just about using software.
The field covers algorithm design, statistical modelling, machine learning and biological data analysis.
There is no demand for bioinformatics PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's growing genomics capacity and biotechnology sector create strong demand.
Bioinformatics is only for computer scientists.
The programme attracts biologists, mathematicians and computer scientists.
Bioinformatics research does not require biological knowledge.
The programme requires understanding of both biology and computational methods.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.