Overview of the programme
The Master of science in Applied Medical Entomology is a two-year graduate program that studies the Insects of Medical Importance including disease vectors. A number of Topics are covered during the first year of course work. These include Classification and Identification of Medical Arthropods, Physiology and Behavior of Medical Arthropods, Cytogenetics of Arthropods, Vector Ecology, Control of Arthropods of Medical Importance, Arthropod Toxicology, Techniques in Medical Entomology and Climate Change and Vector-Borne Disease Epidemiology among other Topics. During the second year of study, students carry out supervised Thesis Research Project.
Rationale of the programme
With the many environmental, agricultural and health challenges facing the world, Kenya included, there is a need to train individuals who can create themselves and solve societal challenges using innovative and sustainable methods. Applied Medical Entomology teaches principles of vector biology, identification, enhanced disease risks due to climate change and variability. There is need to train human resources prepared to deal with emerging new vectors and vector-borne diseases and to offer solutions to manage disease challenges and reduce the impact on human health. The stakeholders engaged strongly endorsed the programme. The review of M.Sc. (Applied Medical Entomology) programme was carried out in consultation with stakeholders to ensure that the programme equips graduates with skills relevant to the current and foreseeable job market. Stakeholders were drawn from institutions of higher learning, research organization, governmental departments, and former graduates. The views of the stakeholders ranged from skills and competencies required to produce competent graduates, to preparedness of the university to offer the programme. Despite various interventions aimed at eradicating arthropod vectors and diseases, there is continued transmission. Experts in medical entomology are scarce, despite their importance. The review of M.Sc (Applied Medical Entomology) programme was carried out in order to ensure that the courses are rich and are in line with current demands of the job market. Through this programme, the graduates will acquire knowledge and skills on vectors and vector-borne diseases transmission modulated by weather and climate variability. Students competent in medical entomology will advance in the application of molecular tools to research and disease transmission surveillance. The knowledge acquired in experimental design, data management and statistical analysis and interpretation will guide evidence-based policies backed by scientifically sound research. The need for the programme was expressed during the needs assessment survey, in which stakeholders endorsed the programme, citing the need to train scientists with relevant skills and knowledge in diverse areas of emerging and re-emerging global trends in vector-borne diseases transmission. Further, the graduates will have the potential to contribute in the achievement on Sustainable Development Goals (SGDS) while addressing the economic and social pillars of the Kenya vision 2030 as well as the UN developmental goals of human health and disease control and the 吃瓜头条 vision. Graduates will have the competence for employability in various government and private sectors like research institutions, education, extension sub-sectors, and provide consulting services in various aspects of medical entomology and tackle issues facing society. The graduates of this programme will be eligible to advance their training to Ph.D. level. The course targets fresh graduates, employees of government and parastatal bodies, research institutions and the private sector among others.
Objectives of the programme
The programme aims to produce graduates with the capacity to tackle issues on vector surveillance and disease control via vector control and environmental management. The graduates would be capable of generating results which may be relevant to policy in the health sector. Thus evidence-based policies would be backed by scientifically sound research findings contributed by graduates of this programme.
Mode of delivery of the programme
The programme is delivered through both face-to-face as a regular programme and in a blended method as a Continuing Education Programme (CEP) A variety of approaches including lectures, tutorials, discussions, assignments, student presentations, laboratory and field-based practical lessons, and Thesis Research Project taken after the course work.
Admission requirements for the programme
The common regulations for all Masters鈥� degrees in the University shall apply. The general regulations for master鈥檚 degrees in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences shall apply. The following shall be eligible for registration in the Master of Science (Applied Medical Entomology):
Career opportunities for the programme
Graduates holding M. Sc. in Applied Medical Entomology have a wide range of career paths including working in: