Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental and Bio Systems Engineering
The Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental and Bio Systems Engineering is a doctoral programme offered at Kenyatta University through the School of Engineering and Technology. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research at the intersection of environmental engineering and biological systems. The programme addresses Kenya's environmental management challenges through engineering solutions involving biological systems.
Students engage with advanced topics in environmental engineering, biological systems engineering, waste management engineering, water resources engineering, environmental biotechnology, ecological engineering, pollution control engineering, environmental modelling, sustainable engineering and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops engineering innovations for Kenya's environmental challenges.
Kenya's environmental degradation, waste management challenges, water pollution, deforestation and the need for sustainable engineering solutions create demand for doctoral-level environmental and bio systems engineering expertise. The programme supports Kenya's environmental management and sustainable development goals.
Teaching is delivered through coursework, laboratory sessions and supervised research at Kenyatta University. The School of Engineering and Technology offers the programme with annual fees of KSh 244,800 for East Africans. Application fee is KSh 3,000.
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, environmental engineers, bio systems engineers, waste management specialists and water resources engineers. They work in universities, NEMA, water companies, Ministry of Environment and engineering consulting firms.
The programme is ideal for individuals with backgrounds in engineering, environmental science, agriculture or biotechnology who wish to contribute original research to environmental and bio systems engineering.
- Duration
- 3-5 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 572,000
- Private, up to
- Ksh 168,000
- 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
- 3 students
- Award
- PhD
What you study
10 subjects- Environmental Engineering Design
- Biological Systems Engineering
- Waste Management Engineering
- Water Resources Engineering
- Environmental Biotechnology
- Ecological Engineering
- Pollution Control Engineering
- Environmental Modelling and Simulation
- Sustainable Engineering Practices
- Research Methods in Environmental Engineering
Modules
8 in the programmeEnvironmental Engineering Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Design of environmental engineering systems, covering design principles, methodologies, and practical approaches to creating effective solutions in professional contexts.
Biological Systems Engineering
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Engineering of biological systems, covering biological principles, research techniques, and their application in understanding living systems.
Waste Management Engineering
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Engineering of waste management systems, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.
Environmental Biotechnology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Biotechnology for environmental applications, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.
Pollution Control Engineering
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Engineering for pollution control, covering engineering principles, design methodologies, and their application in solving complex technical problems.
Research Methods in Environmental Engineering
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research design and methodology, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the field.
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
Research on environmental biotechnology
Water Resources Engineering
Research on water resources engineering
Waste Management Engineering
Research on waste management systems
Ecological Engineering
Research on ecological engineering
A day as a student
A typical day involves conducting environmental engineering experiments, analysing water and waste samples in the laboratory, running environmental models, reviewing engineering literature, attending seminars on environmental engineering, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and visiting NEMA and water treatment facilities for industry research.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Kenya's environmental challenges create demand for engineering solutions
- Access to NEMA, WRA and UNEP in Nairobi
- Research contributes to environmental sustainability
Against it
- Laboratory research requires expensive equipment
- Requires interdisciplinary engineering and biology knowledge
- Small cohort with limited peer interaction
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 332 engineering 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 572,000/yr F801 (uonbi.ac.ke). JKUAT 170,167/yr. KeMU 168,000, MKU 150,000/yr.
HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. NACOSTI provides research grants for science and technology research.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
NACOSTI Research Grant
Scholarships
3 recordedDAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers in Kenya
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
- At KU: Masters degree in relevant area from KU or recognised institution. Application fee KSh 3,000. The School of Engineering and Technology offers the programme.
MSc in Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Bio Systems Engineering or related field
Relevant Masters from recognised university
How you are assessed
3 componentsThesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Thesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, laboratory reports and seminar presentations
Accreditation
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at Kenyatta University (School of Engineering and Technology). KU fees KSh 244,800/year. Engineers Board of Kenya regulates the engineering profession.
Accredited by
Engineers Board of Kenya
Professional
Regulates engineering profession in Kenya
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 rolesEnvironmental Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Environmental engineering at consulting firms
Bio Systems Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000
Bio systems engineering at research institutes
Waste Management Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 400,000
Waste management at NEMA and companies
University Professor
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in engineering departments
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, environmental engineers, bio systems engineers and waste management specialists. They work at NEMA, WRA, universities and engineering consulting firms.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Welding & Metal FabricationEngineering15Low exposure
- Modular / Prefab Construction EngineerEngineering16Low exposure
- HVAC / Building Services EngineerEngineering19Low exposure
- Mining EngineerEngineering21Low exposure
- PlumbingEngineering22Low exposure
- Automotive TechnicianEngineering24Low exposure
- Construction Technology SpecialistEngineering24Low exposure
- AI Safety ResearcherTechnology25Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Environmental and bio systems engineering is just about waste management.
The field covers water resources, biotechnology, ecological engineering and pollution control.
There is no demand for this PhD in Kenya.
Kenya's environmental challenges create demand for engineering solutions.
Environmental engineering research is purely practical.
The programme uses modelling, simulation and biotechnology research.
Only civil engineers study this PhD.
The programme attracts agricultural engineers, biotechnologists and environmental scientists.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental and Bio Systems Engineering are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.