Science

Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology is a doctoral programme offered at JKUAT, Mount Kenya University and University of Eldoret. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in zoology, animal biology and ecological systems.

Students engage with advanced topics in animal physiology, animal ecology, molecular ecology, entomology, parasitology, conservation biology, evolutionary biology, aquatic ecology, fisheries science, developmental biology, research methods and biostatistics. The programme emphasises original research that develops zoological insights for Kenya's biodiversity and ecological challenges.

Kenya's rich biodiversity, conservation challenges and the need for ecological research create demand for doctoral-level zoology expertise. The programme supports Kenya's wildlife conservation and environmental management goals.

At JKUAT, the programme has been offered with specialisations including Molecular Ecology. At Mount Kenya University, the programme is offered as PhD in Zoology/Botany (thesis only) at KSh 150,000 per year with a total cost of KSh 450,000 over 3 years. At University of Eldoret, the programme is offered with specialisations in Zoology and Animal Ecology.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, zoology researchers, conservation biologists, ecologists, wildlife scientists, fisheries scientists and environmental consultants. They work in universities, Kenya Wildlife Service, research institutions, National Museums of Kenya and international conservation organisations.

The programme is ideal for biological scientists who wish to contribute to zoological research at the highest level.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 441,333
Private, up to: Ksh 150,000
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: 5 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Animal Physiology
Animal Ecology
Molecular Ecology
Entomology
Conservation Biology
Evolutionary Biology
Aquatic Ecology
Fisheries Science
Research Methods in Zoology
Biostatistics

Modules

8 in the programme

Animal Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced animal physiology, covering anatomical and physiological principles, their structural-functional relationships, and clinical relevance.
Animal Ecology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Ecological interactions, covering ecological principles, environmental management approaches, and sustainability challenges in contemporary contexts.
Molecular Ecology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Molecular techniques in ecology, covering ecological principles, environmental management approaches, and sustainability challenges in contemporary contexts.
Conservation Biology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Biodiversity conservation, covering biological principles, research techniques, and their application in understanding living systems.
Evolutionary Biology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Evolution and adaptation, covering biological principles, research techniques, and their application in understanding living systems.
Aquatic Ecology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Aquatic ecosystems, covering ecological principles, environmental management approaches, and sustainability challenges in contemporary contexts.
Departmental Seminars
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research presentations and peer review, providing a platform for doctoral candidates to present research findings, engage with peer feedback, and explore contemporary debates in the field.
Thesis Research
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Doctoral thesis research and dissertation, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation contributing new knowledge to the discipline.

Specialisations

Molecular Ecology
Research on molecular ecology
Aquatic Ecology
Research on aquatic systems
Animal Ecology
Research on animal ecology
Conservation Biology
Research on conservation

A day as a student

A typical day involves reviewing zoology literature, conducting laboratory experiments, field sampling and ecological surveys, analysing biological data, attending research seminars, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with KWS and research institutions for field research.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's rich biodiversity provides unique research opportunities
Access to KWS, NMK and international conservation collaborations
Research directly contributes to conservation and environmental management

Against it

Programme requires significant field work in sometimes remote areas
Limited private sector career opportunities
Funding for zoological research can be competitive

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 441k

170k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology441k at University of Nairobi

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

UoN 441K/yr avg (uonbi.ac.ke). JKUAT 170K/yr. MKU PhD Zoology 150K/yr (mku.ac.ke).

HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. African Union provides research grants for biodiversity research in Africa.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
African Union Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
African Union Research Grant
Grant
Biodiversity researchers in Africa
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 JKUAT: Masters degree in relevant area from JKUAT or recognised institution. At MKU: Masters degree in relevant field recognised by MKU senate. At UoE: MSc in Zoology, Biology or relevant discipline from recognised institution.

Masters degree in Zoology, Biology or relevant field
Relevant Masters from recognised institution

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework
Continuous assessment20% of the mark
Assignments, laboratory work, field reports and seminar presentations
Thesis
Thesis60% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at JKUAT, Mount Kenya University (thesis only) and University of Eldoret. Admission requires Masters degree in Zoology, Biology or relevant field from a recognised institution.

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 Biologist
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conservation research and management
Ecologist
Moderate demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 400,000
Ecological research and consulting
Wildlife Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Wildlife research at KWS and institutions
University Professor
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in zoology

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, zoology researchers, conservation biologists and ecologists in universities, Kenya Wildlife Service, research institutions and conservation organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Zoology PhD is just about studying animals.
The programme covers molecular ecology, conservation biology, evolutionary biology, physiology and fisheries science.
There are no jobs for zoology PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's biodiversity and conservation sector need zoological research expertise.
Zoology research is purely descriptive.
The programme uses molecular techniques, statistical analysis and field-based ecological methods.
Only those working in wildlife can study zoology PhDs.
The programme is open to biologists, ecologists and environmental scientists.