Science

Doctor of Philosophy in Biotechnology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Biotechnology 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 in biotechnology techniques that solve human, animal and plant health problems as well as environmental challenges. The programme offers high-level hands-on training in cutting-edge biotechnology methods.

Students engage with advanced topics in molecular biology, genetic engineering, plant biotechnology, animal biotechnology, environmental biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, bioinformatics, biosafety and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that applies biotechnology to address disease, pollution, food shortage and agricultural challenges in Kenya and the developing world.

Kenya's National Biotechnology Policy, the need for improved crop varieties, vaccine development and environmental remediation create demand for doctoral-level biotechnology expertise. The programme is aligned to UNESCO ISCED-F 2013 standards and supports Kenya's science, technology and innovation agenda under Vision 2030.

Teaching is delivered through coursework and 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, biotechnology researchers, biotechnologists, biosafety specialists and biotechnology policy advisors. They work in universities, KEMRI, KALRO, NBA, pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology firms.

The programme is ideal for individuals with backgrounds in biological sciences, biochemistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy or dentistry who wish to contribute original research to biotechnology.

Duration: 3-7 years
Public, up to: Ksh 367,200
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: 4 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering
Plant Biotechnology
Animal Biotechnology
Environmental Biotechnology
Industrial Biotechnology
Bioinformatics for Biotechnology
Biosafety and Bioethics
Research Methods in Biotechnology
Vaccine and Drug Development
Bioprocessing and Fermentation Technology

Modules

8 in the programme

Advanced Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Gene manipulation, cloning and genetic modification techniques, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Plant Biotechnology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Tissue culture, genetic transformation and crop improvement, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.
Animal Biotechnology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Animal cell culture, transgenics and reproductive biotechnology, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.
Environmental Biotechnology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Bioremediation, waste treatment and environmental monitoring, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.
Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Industrial fermentation, enzyme technology and bioproducts, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.
Research Methods in Biotechnology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research design and methodology for biotechnology 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

Environmental Biotechnology
Biotechnology for environmental management
Medical Biotechnology
Biotechnology for health and medicine
Industrial Biotechnology
Biotechnology for industrial processes and products
Plant Biotechnology
Genetic improvement of crops through biotechnology

A day as a student

A typical day involves conducting molecular biology experiments in the laboratory, running genetic engineering procedures, analysing biotechnology data, reviewing scientific literature, attending seminars on biotechnology, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with CEBIB's collaborating institutions for research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

CEBIB provides dedicated biotechnology research environment at UoN
Kenya's National Biotechnology Policy drives demand for expertise
Programme aligned to UNESCO international standards

Against it

Laboratory research requires expensive molecular biology equipment
Biosafety regulations may limit certain experiments
Limited commercial biotechnology sector in Kenya

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 243 science courses

Public170k to 367k

170k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology367k at Kenyatta University

Private150k to 150k

150k at Mount Kenya University150k at Mount Kenya 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

JKUAT 170.2K/yr (kenyaeducationguide). KU 367.2K (ku.ac.ke). MKU 150K — unverified for Biotech.

HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. NACOSTI provides research grants for science and technology research. CEBIB may offer research collaboration with international institutions.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
NACOSTI Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers 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 for admission.

MSc in Biological Sciences, Bioinformatics, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy or Dentistry
Relevant Masters from recognised university

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Laboratory reports, practical examinations and seminar presentations
Thesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of detailed doctoral research proposal

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at the University of Nairobi (Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, CEBIB). Programme code I823. Aligned to UNESCO ISCED-F 2013 section 0588 for inter-disciplinary programmes involving natural sciences, mathematics and statistics.

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

University Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in biotechnology and life science departments
Biotechnology Researcher
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Research at KEMRI, KALRO, CEBIB and international research institutes
Biosafety Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 400,000
Regulatory work at National Biosafety Authority
Biotechnologist
High demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000
Research and development at biotechnology companies

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, biotechnology researchers, biotechnologists and biosafety specialists. They work at KEMRI, KALRO, CEBIB, NBA, universities and biotechnology companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Biotechnology is just about genetic modification.
The field covers plant, animal, environmental, industrial and medical biotechnology applications.
There is no demand for biotechnology PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's National Biotechnology Policy and agricultural/health needs create strong demand.
Biotechnology research is dangerous.
Research follows strict biosafety regulations under the National Biosafety Authority.
Biotechnology is only for biology graduates.
The programme attracts pharmacists, veterinarians, medical professionals and engineers.