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Masters of Science (Biochemistry)

Course overview

Masters of science (Biochemistry) is a course offered to postgraduate students who have desire to deepen their knowledge on the biochemical mechanisms and processes in living organisms.  It builds on existing biochemical knowledge and 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.  The course is offered by coursework and thesis.  The course work is offered in the first year and research in relevant biochemistry area that culminates into a thesis write up in the second year.

Rationale

Masters of science in Biochemistry builds on the foundation of basic 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.

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

Admissions Requirements

The general regulations for master’s degree in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences shall apply. The following shall be eligible for enrolment registration in MSc Biochemistry programme options:

• A holder of a Bachelor of Science degree with at least an upper second-class Honour’s with Biochemistry as a single subject or as one of the two science subjects.
• A holder of a Bachelor of Science degree who has studied Biochemistry units to degree level and has attained at least an upper second-class Honour’s degree.
• A holder of a Bachelor’s degree in any other relevant areas of study such as Biology, molecular biology, medical laboratory science, Medicine among other biological science degree courses with at least an upper second Honour’s degree and has taken units related to biochemistry.
• A holder of Bachelor’s degree with a lower second class may be considered with grade C in the area of specialization.

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 coursework and thesis.  The course work is offered in the first year on a Full Time basis and Continuous Education programme (CEP) through face to face blended with E-learning. A student registered for M.Sc Biochemistry will take a total of 11 course units, with one of which will be a thesis. All the units are core. Ten units will be done in year one of study, where a student will take five units per semester.  Year two of study the student will develop a proposal, carry out experiments in the laboratory and field, and write a thesis.  These shall account for a minimum of 1050 hours.

Curriculum Highlights

The programme offers units like protein and enzyme technology, ecological biochemistry, biochemistry of cancer growth among others.

Fee Structure

Year 1 regular – Ksh. 295 800 (Ksh 147,900 per semester)

Year 2 regular – Ksh. 295 800 (Ksh 147,900 per semester)

CEP

Year 1 regular – Ksh. 295 800 (Ksh 98 600 per semester)

Year 2 regular – Ksh. 295 800 (Ksh 98 600 per semester)

 

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.