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Doctor of Philosophy (Biochemistry)

Introduction

Doctor of philosophy in Biochemistry is an advanced course offered to postgraduate students who have desire to deepen their knowledge on the biochemical mechanisms and processes in living organisms.  The programme equips the graduates with skills and competences to undertake complex research that deals with the processes of living organisms like drug interactions, metabolic disorders, bioprocessing of secondary metabolites from microbes and plants and many others.

Rationale

Doctor of philosophy in Biochemistry builds on the foundation of basic and advanced biochemistry and other related life sciences.   It allows individuals a greater and deeper understanding of the cellular biomolecules and their interactions among themselves and other foreign materials like drugs and microbes in living systems of plants, animals and microbes.  It seeks to unearth the biochemical processes that underlie complex interactions in living organisms and finding pathways of interventions that result in a desired outcome.

Objectives

The goal of the programme is to produce graduates with requisite competence to assume responsibilities in the field of biochemistry research and innovations.

By the end of the programme, the graduate shall be able to effectively;

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of how to design a workable research that elucidates the biochemical mechanisms in living organisms.
• Design research that enables disruptions of the particular biochemical mechanism process in a living system.
• To apply the knowledge in developing biochemical techniques and methods for use in altering the processes of life.
• Employ biochemistry knowledge in developing diagnostic and therapeutic tools

 

Entry requirements

A student wishing to pursue a PhD degree in Biochemistry must satisfy the minimum ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ and School of Pure and Applied Sciences entry requirements. Must be a holder of Masters of science in Biochemistry or related Science by course work and thesis.

International Students

All international students will apply to the Commission for University Education (CUE) for assessment of their graduate qualifications for recognition and equation of foreign qualifications before enrolling for postgraduate studies.

Mode of Delivery and programme structure

The programme is offered by research and thesis.  The programme shall extend over a period of at least three (3) years from the date of registration for a candidate studying full-time but not extending beyond four years from the date of registration.

Fee Structure

Year 1– Ksh. 336 600

Year 2 – Ksh. 336 600

Year 3 – Ksh. 336 600

Career Opportunities

Graduates from this course can persue any of these specific career paths or fields

-Biomedical research

-Alternative therapeutic products designs

-Pharmaceutical industrial manufacturing and research

-Lecturing in higher learning institutions

-Development of diagnostic kits

Why choose this programme at KU

At KU you will find highly trained and experienced faculty to provide training and research supervision. ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ has a well-equipped research laboratory and animal house with relevant animals for medical research. KU also  hosts the National Phytotherapeutic Research Centre which is equipped with state-of-the art research facilities which are accessible to the department. Additionally, the department hosts a well-equipped plant transformation laboratory where Global Scale research is carried out.  The graduate school process is organized in a manner that facilitates timely completion of our graduate students.